Entry-Level Forward Surgical Team Training Is Associated with Increased Confidence of Primary Combat Surgeons

Background: In recent years, we have established an entry-level Forward Surgical Team (FST) training program in a Chinese military medical university for the 5th grade undergraduates, who would be deployed to different military medical services as primary combat surgeons. This study aimed to assess the role of this pre-service training in improving their confidence with combat medical skills, after several years since they received the training. Methods: We conducted a nationwide survey of 239 primary combat surgeons who have ever participated in an entry-level FST training program before deployment between June 2016 and June 2020, which was for evaluating on a 5-point Likert scale the benefits of entry-level FST training and conventional surgery training in improving their confidence with combat medical skills. The difference in scores was compared using the student t-test. Significance was considered as P Results: The total score was significantly higher for entry-level FST training than that for conventional surgery training (30.76 ± 4.33 vs. 28.95 ± 4.80, P There was no significant difference between the training for surgical skills confidence scores (18.03 ± 8.04 vs. 17.51 ± 8.30, P = 0.098), but for non-technical skills, the score of entry-level FST training was significantly higher than that of conventional surgery training (12.73 ± 5.39 vs. 11.44 ± 5.62, P The distributions of confidence scores were different under various subgroups by demographics. There were no significant differences in scores between the two training in all specific surgical skill sets except “life-saving surgery” (P = 0.011). Scores of all 4 non-technical skill sets were significantly higher for entry-level FST than those for conventional surgery training (P Conclusions: The training should be considered as an essential strategy to improve confidence in combat medical skills, especially life-saving surgery and non-technical skills, for primary combat surgeons.

Introducing the Principles of Tendon Transfer for Surgical Trainees to Improve Anatomical Knowledge

This article reviewed the principles and outcomes of tendon transfer procedures described in the literature to restore function following injuries delivered in a workshop as a way of improving basic science and anatomical knowledge in surgical trainees preparing for surgical examinations. Post intervention surveys showed an improvement in trainees’ familiarity with musculoskeletal anatomy and engagement in learning with improved readiness for surgical examinations.

A virtual reality based surgical skills training simulator for catheter ablation with real-time and robust interaction

Background Atrial fibrillation(AF)is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia that can cause severe heart problems.Catheter ablation is one of the most ideal procedures for the treatment of AF.Physicians qualified to perform this procedure need to be highly skilled in manipulating the relevant surgical devices.This study proposes an interactive surgical simulator with high fidelity to facilitate efficient training and low-cost medical education.Methods We used a shared centerline model to simulate the interaction between multiple surgical devices.An improved adaptive deviation-feedback approach is proposed to accelerate the convergence of each iteration.The periodical beating of the human heart was also simulated in real time using the position-based dynamics(PBD)framework to achieve higher fidelity.We then present a novel method for handling the interaction between the devices and the beating heart mesh model.Experiments were conducted in a homemade simulator prototype to evaluate the robustness,performance,and flexibility of the proposed method.Preliminary evaluation of the simulator was performed by medical students,residents,and surgeons.Results The interaction between surgical devices,static vascular meshes,and beating heart mesh was stably simulated in a frame rate suitable for interaction.Conclusion Our simulator is capable of simulating the procedure of catheter ablation with high fidelity and provides immersive visual experiences and haptic feedback.

Performance in the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery: Does it reflect global rating scales in the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills in porcine laparoscopic surgery?

Objective:To correlate the utility of the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery(FLS)manual skills program with the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills(OSATS)global rating scale in evaluating operative performance.Methods:The Asian Urological Surgery Training and Educational Group(AUSTEG)Laparoscopic Upper Tract Surgery Course implemented and validated the FLS program for its usage in laparoscopic surgical training.Delegates’basic laparoscopic skills were assessed using three different training models(peg transfer,precision cutting,and intra-corporeal suturing).They also performed live porcine laparoscopic surgery at the same workshop.Live surgery skills were assessed by blinded faculty using the OSATS rating scale.Results:From March 2016 to March 2019,a total of 81 certified urologists participated in the course,with a median of 5 years of post-residency experience.Although differences in task time did not reach statistical significance,those with more surgical experience were visibly faster at completing the peg transfer and intra-corporeal suturing FLS tasks.However,they took longer to complete the precision cutting task than participants with less experience.Overall OSATS scores correlated weakly with all three FLS tasks(peg transfer time:r=0.331,r^(2)=0.110;precision cutting time:r=0.240,r^(2)=0.058;suturing with intracorporeal knot time:r=0.451,r^(2)=0.203).Conclusion:FLS task parameters did not correlate strongly with OSATS globing rating scale performance.Although FLS task models demonstrated strong validity,it is important to assimilate the inconsistencies when benchmarking technical proficiency against real-life operative competence,as evaluated by FLS and OSATS,respectively.

Validation of a 3D-printed human temporal bone model for otology surgical skill training

Hypothesis:Three-dimensional(3D)printed temporal bones are comparable to cadaveric temporal bones as a training tool for otologic surgery.Background:Cadaveric temporal bone dissection is an integral part of otology surgical training.Unfortunately,availability of cadaveric temporal bones is becoming much more limited and concern regarding chemical and biological risks persist.In this study,we examine the validity of 3D-printed temporal bone model as an alternative training tool for otologic surgery.Methods:Seventeen otolaryngology trainees participated in the study.They were asked to complete a series of otologic procedures using 3D-printed temporal bones.A semi-structured questionnaire was used to evaluate their dissection experience on the 3D-printed temporal bones.Results:Participants found that the 3D-printed temporal bones were anatomically realistic compared to cadaveric temporal bones.They found that the 3D-printed temporal bones were useful as a surgical training tool in general and also for specific otologic procedures.Overall,participants were enthusiastic about incorporation of 3D-printed temporal bones in temporal bone dissection training courses and would recommend them to other trainees.Conclusion:3D-printed temporal bone model is a viable alternative to human cadaveric temporal bones as a teaching tool for otologic surgery.

3D Vector Reconstruction of the Typical Cervical Vertebra from Anatomical Sections of Korean Visible Human at the Laboratory of Clinical and Digital Anatomy of Paris Descartes University

Aim: To carry out a 3D vector reconstruction of the typical cervical vertebra from anatomical sections of the “Korean Visible Human” for educational purposes. Material and Methods: The anatomical subject was a 33-year-old Korean man who died of leukemia. He was 164 cm tall and weighed 55 kg. This man donated his body to science. Her body was frozen and cut into several anatomical sections after an MRI and CT scan. These anatomical sections were made using a special saw called a 0.2 mm thick cryomacrotome. Thus 8100 cuts were obtained. Only the sections numbered 940 to 1200 were used for our study. A segmentation by manual contouring of the different parts of the typical cervical vertebra was made using the software Winsurf version 3.5 on a laptop PC running Windows 7 equipped with a Ram of 8 gigas. Results: Our 3D vector model of the typical cervical vertebra is easily manipulated using the Acrobat 3DPDF interface. Each part of the vertebra accessible in a menu can be displayed, hidden or made transparent, and 3D labels are available as well as educational menus for learning anatomy. Conclusion: This original work constitutes a remarkable educational tool for the anatomical study of the typical cervical vertebra and can also be used as a 3D atlas for simulation purposes for training in therapeutic gestures.

Do Immaturity, Dehydratation or Alkalosis Predispose to Intraoperative Complications at Pyloromyotomy?

Background: Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is the most important cause for propulsive non-bilious vomiting in infants of the first trimester. Extramucous splitting of the hypertrophic pyloric muscle is the surgical gold standard for treatment. Serious major complications of pyloromyotomy (PM) are mucosal perforation and incomplete muscle splitting. The aim of the presented study is to find out if intraoperative complications are predisposed by biometric or biochemical factors. Furthermore, we looked for the influence of the board certification of the primary surgeon. Patients and Methods: 162 infants with IHPS were operated during a six-year period (n = 150 laparoscopic operations). We had 8 major complications (4.9%): iatrogenic mucosal perforation occurred in 6 cases, and incomplete PM in 2 infants. Preoperative demographic data and data resulting from the blood acid-base- and ion-analysis were compared with data of a previously published reference group from our institution (Tr?bs RB. Open J Pediatr, 2014;4: 208-215). Results: The duration of vomiting, the grade of dehydration and the severity of blood alkalosis did not differ between both groups. Furthermore, we found no influence of the gestational age and birth weight on the occurrence of intraoperative complications. It seems that early postnatal age (p = 0.07) and low body weight at surgery (p = 0.055) may contribute to surgical problems. Board certification as a paediatric surgeon did not influence the rate of intraoperative complications. Conclusions: Laboratory data did not show any predisposition to intraoperative complications. It is assumed that small infants with early occurring symptoms carry an elevated risk for intraoperative events. Our data support the hypothesis that the rate of intraoperative complications at PM is mainly influenced by skills and experience of the surgeon.

Virtual reality simulator for training urologists on transurethral prostatectomy

Background A virtual reality simulator provides a novel training model for improving surgical skills in a variety of fields. They can simulate a variety of surgical scenarios to improve the overall skills required for endoscopic operations, and also record the operative process of trainees in real-time and allow for objective evaluation. At present, some simulators for transurethral resection of the prostate （TURP） are available. The utility of virtual reality simulators in training of transurethral prostatectomy was investigated. Methods Thirty-eight urologists were randomly selected to take part in a simulation based training of TURP using the TURPSimTM system. Pre and post-training global rate scale （GRS） scores and objective parameters recorded by the simulator were assessed. Then, questionnaires were filled out. Results Compared with baseline levels, the GRS scores of trainees increased （18.0±4.0 vs. 12.4±4.2, P 〈0.001）, while the rate of capsule resection （26.3%±0.6% vs. 21.2%±0.4%, P 〈0.001）, amount of blood loss （（125.8±86.3） ml vs. （83.7±41.6） ml, P 〈0.001）, external sphincter injury （3.6±2.9 vs. 2.0±2.0, P 〈0.001 ） decreased significantly after training. Most trainees were satisfied with the simulator based training and believed that the simulator accurately mimicked actual surgical procedures and could help improve their surgical skills. Conclusions As a new method of training on transurethral prostatectomy skills, training of TURP using a virtual simulator can help urologists improve their surgical skills and safety. Therefore, the application of the TURPSimTM system in education and training of urologic surgery is warranted.

Simulation training in endoscopic skull base surgery: A scoping review

Objective:Proficiency in endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery requires both substantial baseline training and progressive lifelong learning.Endoscopic simulation models continue to evolve in an effort to optimize trainee education and preoperative preparation and improve surgical outcomes.The current scoping review systematically reviews all available literature and synthesizes the current paradigms of simulation models for endoscopic skull base surgery training and skill enhancement.Methods:In accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Review and Meta-Analyses guidelines,we systematically searched PubMed,Embase,CINAHL,and Cochrane databases.Studies were categorized according to the type of simulation models investigated.Results:We identified 238 unique references,with 55 studies ultimately meeting inclusion criteria.Of these,19 studies described cadaveric dissection models,17 discussed three-dimensional(3D)printed models,14 examined virtual surgical planning and augmented reality-based models,and five 5 articles described task trainers.Conclusions:There are a wide variety of simulation models for endoscopic skull base surgery,including high-fidelity cadaveric,virtual reality,and 3D-printed models.These models are an asset for trainee development and preoperative surgical preparation.

Preferences in stapes surgery among American otological society otologists

Objective:Stapes surgery is technically challenging,yet its methodology is not standardized.We aim to elucidate preferences in stapes surgery among American Otological Society(AOS)otologists and determine if any common practice patterns exist.Study design:Cross-sectional study via emailed questionnaire.Setting:Surgery centers.Subjects and methods:Members of the AOS were an emailed a survey to quantify variables including surgical volume,anesthetic preference,laser use,type of procedure,footplate sealing technique,antibiotic use,and trainee participation.Results:Most otologists(71%)performed 2 to 5 stapes surgeries per month under general anesthesia(69%)with stapedotomy(71%)as the preferred procedure.Most(56%)used the rosette method of laser stapedotomy with manual pick debris removal for footplate fenestration.Either the handheld potassium titanyl phosphate(KTP)laser(40%)or handheld carbon dioxide(CO2)laser(33%)was used.The heat-activated memory hook(51%)was the preferred prosthesis.Footplate sealing method was variable,as was antibiotic use among respondents.Trainee participation was limited,as 42%of otologists allowed residents to place the prosthesis,and fewer allowed residents to crimp the prosthesis,and laser or drill the footplate.Surgeons with higher surgical volume(≥6 surgeries per month)demonstrated the following statistically significant correlations:footplate fenestration with laser in a rosette pattern and pick for debris removal(rs=-0.365,P=0.014)and trainee participation with fellows only(rs=0.341,P=0.022).Conclusions:Trends in various surgical decisions showed a lack of consensus in all aspects of stapes surgery.