Training the Next Generation of Transplant Surgeons With a 3-Dimensional Trainer: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Medical Simulation
• Transplant Surgery

Background:

• No current US guidelines exist for training in technical variants like living donor or split liver transplantation.
• Simulation using hands-on liver models presents a potential method to enhance surgical training.
• This pilot study aimed to develop materials, assess recruitment, and evaluate protocol adherence for liver model simulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create realistic and resilient patient-specific hands-on liver models for surgical simulation.
• To assess the feasibility of recruitment and workload associated with a simulation protocol.
• To evaluate participant feedback on the quality of the models and their perceived impact on surgical skills.

Main Methods:

• Patient-specific 3D hands-on liver models were constructed using digital anatomy and 3D printing.
• Materials were tested from January 2020 to August 2022.
• A left lateral segmentectomy simulation was conducted from August 2022 to December 2022 with recruited participants.

Main Results:

• 3D printing was identified as the optimal method for model creation.
• Recruitment rates were 100% for junior attendings and 47% for surgical residents.
• 70% found the model quality acceptable, 50% felt training improved skills, and 90% recommended inclusion in training.

Conclusions:

• 3D hands-on liver models provide valuable tactile feedback and are rated favorably for surgical training.
• Future studies require leadership support for enrollment and should utilize rigorous multicenter designs.
• The actual impact of these models on surgical training outcomes needs further investigation.