Low-cost suture simulator to gain basic surgical skills

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training Simulation

Background:

• Surgical skill acquisition requires effective and accessible training tools.
• Low-cost simulation models are crucial for widespread adoption in educational settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel, low-cost simulation model for fundamental surgical skills training.
• To evaluate the efficacy of this new model in teaching basic suturing techniques.

Main Methods:

• The simulation model was fabricated using a mixture of acetic silicone and maize starch.
• Training sessions were conducted to assess pre- and post-training performance metrics.
• Performance was evaluated using mean time to completion and a global rating scale.

Main Results:

• A significant decrease in the time required for suture performance was observed post-training.
• Training order demonstrated a significant correlation with improved simulation task completion time.
• The model facilitated measurable skill improvement in participants.

Conclusions:

• The developed low-cost simulation model effectively replicates basic surgical suture training skills.
• The model's ease of creation, low cost, and reproducibility make it ideal for educational institutions.
• This innovative model offers a practical solution for enhancing surgical skills education.