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Synthetic Simulators for Microsurgery Training: A Systematic Review.
Gianluca Sapino1, Stephanie Gonvers1, Mario Cherubino2
1From the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Global Open
|July 29, 2024
Summary
Synthetic simulators offer a cost-effective and safe method for microsurgery training. These tools effectively assess and improve microsurgical skills for trainees across all levels.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Education
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Simulation
Background:
- Microsurgery presents a significant learning challenge.
- Synthetic simulators are ethically sound, safe, and cost-effective training tools.
- These simulators aid in the initial stages of microsurgical skill acquisition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the quality, effectiveness, and validity of synthetic microsurgery simulators.
- To assess the capability of these simulators in evaluating microsurgical skills.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was conducted.
- Searches were performed in Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed for articles on synthetic microsurgery training models.
- Three reviewers assessed article eligibility based on predefined criteria, with data extracted from full texts.
Main Results:
- 39 studies met inclusion criteria, detailing 38 distinct synthetic devices.
- Microsurgical training devices provide a low-cost, rapid, and consistent means to quantify and assess trainee skills.
- Standardized exercises scored by examiners showed satisfactory outcomes and tangible skill improvement, despite a lack of a universal comparison scale.
Conclusions:
- Synthetic models are recommended for training basic, intermediate, and advanced microsurgical procedures.
- Their availability, cost-effectiveness, and proven efficacy make them ideal precursors to in vivo training.
- These simulators facilitate skill development prior to application on live models.
