Randomized Controlled Trial: Acquisition of Basic Microsurgical Skills Through Smartphone Training Model.

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Microsurgery Training
• Medical Simulation

Background:

• Microsurgery skills are crucial across surgical fields but difficult to acquire due to training constraints.
• Traditional training methods face limitations including work hour restrictions, patient safety, and ethical concerns.
• This study evaluates a novel smartphone-based microsurgical training model against a conventional microscope model.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of a smartphone microsurgical training model versus a traditional microscope model.
• To assess improvements in microsurgical skills after standardized training in both models.
• To determine the feasibility of smartphone-based training for developing fundamental microsurgical abilities.

Main Methods:

• Thirty students without prior microsurgery experience were randomized into control, smartphone, and microscope groups.
• Participants underwent 10 hours of standardized training using their assigned models.
• Microsurgical skill performance was evaluated using time, a standardized assessment scale, and anastomosis patency.

Main Results:

• Both smartphone and microscope training groups showed significant improvements in anastomosis time and skill assessment scores.
• Anastomosis patency rates significantly improved in both training groups compared to the control.
• While both models enhanced skills, the smartphone model's main limitation was the absence of stereoscopic vision.

Conclusions:

• Basic microsurgical skills can be effectively learned using a smartphone training model.
• Performance improvements with the smartphone model were comparable to the traditional microscope model.
• The smartphone model presents a viable, accessible alternative for microsurgical skills acquisition, despite lacking stereoscopy.