Developing Microsurgery Skills Outside of the Operating Room.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Skills Training
• Microsurgery

Background:

• Microsurgery skills are traditionally taught in high-stakes operating rooms.
• Developing skills in lower-stakes environments can improve intraoperative performance.
• This study evaluates resources for microsurgical skill development outside the operating room.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and evaluate resources for microsurgical skill development.
• To assess the alignment of these resources with best practices for performance enhancement.
• To propose improvements for microsurgical education.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review and web search were conducted in April 2024.
• Data on course objectives, features, models, and curricula were extracted.
• Available microsurgical skills courses were identified.

Main Results:

• Seven online courses featured free multimedia content and low-fidelity models.
• Fourteen in-person courses in the US were costly, intensive, and used high-fidelity models.
• Simulation platforms included low-fidelity to high-fidelity models, and virtual reality.

Conclusions:

• Low-fidelity models are more affordable, reusable, and align with best practices for skill acquisition.
• These models can reach more trainees and accelerate the learning curve.
• Low-fidelity models should be integrated into all microsurgery training programs.