Abstract

BackgroundMicrosurgery simulation is an important aspect of surgical training. Animal models have been widely used in simulation training, but they have some limitations including ethical restrictions, cost and availability. This has led to the use of synthetic models that can reduce reliance on animals in line with the 3R (refinement, reduction and replacement) principles. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the face validity of Surgitate™ three-in-one (artery, vein and nerve) silicone model.MethodsFourteen candidates performed one end-to-end anastomosis on artery, vein and nerve. The face validity of the vessel was assessed via questionnaires detailing their previous microsurgical experience and their feedback of using this model using the Likert scale. Data management and analysis were performed using IBM SPSS software (25.0).ResultsParticipants tended to value this model in the earlier stages of microsurgical training particularly in the acquisition of basic microsurgical skills. It could be particularly useful in enhancing suturing skills as a replacement or reduction in the use of chicken models. The model has some drawbacks preluding its utilization into more advanced stages of surgical training. Further studies are needed to validate the model using more objective measures.ConclusionWe present a novel synthetic model that can be potentially introduced to early stages of microsurgery training. The model would be ideal to meet the 3R principles of the use of animal models and as an alternative to the commonly used synthetic models.Level of evidence: Not ratable.

Highlights

  • Simulation surgical training helps surgical trainees optimise their performance in the operating theatres while providing a means for evaluation of their skills [1]

  • The aim of this paper was to evaluate the face validity of SurgitateTM three-in-on silicone slab model that can serve as an animal-free alternative to be incorporated into early microsurgical training towards replacing, refining and reducing the use of animal models in microsurgery training

  • The most commonly used microsurgery simulation training models were chicken (86%) and rats (living (71%) and non-living (57%))

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Summary

Introduction

Simulation surgical training helps surgical trainees optimise their performance in the operating theatres while providing a means for evaluation of their skills [1]. There are ethical considerations with the use of living models, and this has resulted in a trend towards development of simulation models that can reduce reliance on animals in line with the 3R (refinement, reduction and replacement) principles [4,5,6]. The high cost of surgical training resulted in development and spread of many non-living animal and synthetic models for microsurgery simulation [7]. Animal models have been widely used in simulation training, but they have some limitations including ethical restrictions, cost and availability. This has led to the use of synthetic models that can reduce reliance on animals in line with the 3R (refinement, reduction and replacement) principles. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the face validity of SurgitateTM three-in-one (artery, vein and nerve) silicone model

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