Three-dimensional microscope skill acquisition: A randomised controlled study comparing two-dimensional laboratory...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Skills Training
• Microsurgery

Background:

• Microsurgical skill acquisition is challenging and evolving with technology.
• Laboratory-based training on 2D microscopes improves novice microsurgical skills.
• The transferability of these skills to 3D microscopes and the role of gaming remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of laboratory-based microsurgical training (LM), video gaming (VG), and virtual reality gaming (VR) against a control group for novice microsurgical skill acquisition.
• To assess the transferability of skills learned on a 2D microscope to a 3D microscope platform.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 40 novice medical students.
• Four groups: control, LM, VG, and VR.
• Participants performed chicken femoral artery anastomosis on a 3D microscope at baseline and post-intervention, assessed by mSAMS score and time metrics.

Main Results:

• No significant baseline differences between groups.
• Statistically significant improvement in mSAMS score and suture placement time in the LM group post-training.
• No significant differences observed in VG, VR, or control groups.

Conclusions:

• Intense laboratory-based microsurgical training significantly enhances novice anastomotic performance and skills transfer to 3D microscopes.
• Focused gaming interventions (VG and VR) did not yield significant improvements in microsurgical skills compared to the control group.