A Novel 3D-Printed Mouse Model for Surgical Training: Multicenter Construct, Face, and Content Validation Study

Advancements in laboratory animal training increasingly incorporate technological innovations aiming to better align training standards with the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement). This trend is shifting away from traditional reliance on live animals and cadavers toward simulation-based methods. This study introduces and assesses the validity of a novel 3D-printed rodent surgical simulator designed for the practice and training of basic rodent surgical skills. To evaluate its potential to partially replace animal use, refine rodent surgical training, and reduce the number of animals needed, a multicenter validation study across 5 European and US research academic centers was conducted. The study assessed the simulator's face, content, and construct validity, involving participants inexperienced and experts in rodent surgery. The construct validity was evaluated through task completion times and blinded quality assessments across multiple training iterations. The results revealed that inexperienced participants demonstrated significant improvements in both speed and quality of surgical tasks with repeated simulator use, eventually reaching performance levels comparable to experts' initial attempts. Expert participants consistently outperformed the inexperienced group. Face and content validity were supported by postuse surveys, with high ratings from both groups regarding the simulator's anatomic realism and its perceived usefulness for the acquisition and development of fundamental surgical skills. Overall, the findings of this study support that this 3D-printed rodent surgical simulator offers a realistic, effective, and ethically sound alternative for basic rodent surgical skills training and competency assessment.