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Step By Step: Microsurgical training method combining two nonliving animal models
Published on: May 9, 2015
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Determining the learning curve for a novel microsurgical procedure using histopathology
Amir Taher1,2, Joanne Chow2,3, Min Sung Kwon2
1Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, 50 Missenden Rd, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia.
BMC Medical Education
|May 5, 2022
Summary
This study introduces a corneal wet laboratory model for microsurgical training. Histopathology provides objective feedback, showing trainees improve accuracy and efficiency in corneal dissections.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Surgical Education
Background:
- Wet laboratories are crucial for proficiency-based surgical training models.
- Assessing surgical outcomes and learning curves requires effective training tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of histopathology in assessing microsurgical outcomes.
- To determine the learning curve for a novel microsurgical procedure using a wet laboratory model.
Main Methods:
- A microsurgical wet laboratory was established using pig eyes for corneal dissection simulation.
- Novice surgeons and an experienced surgeon performed anterior cornea lamellar dissections, with procedure duration recorded.
- Histological analysis assessed dissected graft thickness and characteristics, with attempts to reach a mean thickness below 100 μm documented.
Main Results:
- Histopathology enabled in-depth analysis of dissected grafts for each attempt.
- Trainees averaged 28 attempts to reach the study endpoint, compared to 12 for the experienced surgeon (p=0.07).
- Mean dissection thickness and duration decreased over time for all participants, with trainees showing significant improvement (p=0.03 for duration).
Conclusions:
- A corneal wet laboratory model offers simple, efficient, and flexible microsurgical training.
- Histopathological analysis provides objective feedback for graft assessment during training.
- Trainees demonstrated enhanced accuracy, confidence, and procedural fluidity.
