Board #300 - Technology Innovation Validation with Expert Surgeons of the Anatomical Adult Knee Model for Training Techniques (Submission #9690)

Abstract

Introduction Several simulators have been created to improve the learning curve of residents in knee surgery. Laboratory training is fundamental for acquiring familiarity with the techniques of surgery and skill in handling instruments. Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure useful in medical practice in orthopedic knee surgery. This surgical technique is defined as a “gold standard” for treatment, mainly in meniscal tears and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. In fact the young orthopedic surgeon who wants to work in this area must be able to do this type of surgical approach. The aim of this study is to validate the synthetic model called “Kneetrainer 1” by expert surgeons practicing realistic surgical simulations for the knee, for example: arthroscopy, meniscectomy and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. We selected for this validation 17 expert surgeons in the knee procedure. All performed this procedures in the “Kneetrainer 1” model. After the procedure, all surgeons answered a questionnaire to evaluate the realistic model with the following sentences: consistency, strength, tactile identification, applicability of the model for training young surgeons, and general capability score of simulation to the procedures described above. Description Despite the consistency of the model material, 53% of surgeons reported it with minor changes compared to the normal tissue or considered similar to the normal tissue. As for the strength of the material model, 37% reported that it needs minor changes as compared to normal tissue, so as not to cause damage to the surgical simulation. Regarding the tactile and arthroscopic identification of bone and soft tissue structures, the majority (range 65-100 % ) of the participants felt the simulator was appropriate to the shape and size of the human knee. The overall procedure of meniscectomy and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction were considered adequate by 82% and 100% of experts, respectively. Overall capability score for realistic simulation for the meniscectomy procedure was 64.7% of surgeons so they concluded that the simulator is able to increase surgical skills and handling of practical application with young surgeons. The overall capability score for realistic simulation for the arthroscopy procedure and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was 82.4% of surgeons have approved the model. Most of the participants (94%) considered that the “Kneetrainer 1” was able to create skills and modify activities of non expert surgeons in training. Conclusion The model for realistic simulation “Kneetrainer 1” was validated with overall capability score of the simulation for 64.7% to meniscectomy and 82.4% to arthroscopy with the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The majority of expert surgeons (94%) considered the “Kneetrainer 1” to be able to generate or to modify the skills and activities of the young surgeons in training.