Validation of Tabletop Microscopes for Microsurgery Simulation and Training.

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Microsurgery Training
• Medical Simulation

Background:

• Microsurgery is a growing component of oral and maxillofacial surgery residency training.
• Barriers exist that hinder trainees' proficiency in traditional microsurgical methods.
• Affordable simulation tools are needed to supplement current microsurgery training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate two tabletop microscope simulations for microsurgery training.
• To assess the suitability of these simulations as an alternative to traditional training methods.
• To compare the effectiveness of a digital monocular (DM) versus a stereo binocular (SM) microscope simulation.

Main Methods:

• A prospective validation study involving seven microsurgeons.
• Anastomoses were performed on simulation vessels using both DM and SM microscopes.
• Surgeons completed surveys evaluating simulation realism, readiness for curriculum integration, and cost.

Main Results:

• The SM simulation required less modification for curriculum integration compared to the DM (P = .002).
• SM demonstrated superior realism scores in depth perception, field of view, lighting, and clarity (P < .05 for all).
• No significant differences were found in perceived value, usefulness, relevance, difficulty, or cost between the two simulations.

Conclusions:

• Tabletop microscope simulations show significant potential for advancing microsurgical education.
• The SM simulation is a realistic and potentially curriculum-ready tool for microsurgery training.
• Further research is needed to confirm the efficacy of these simulations on trainee performance.