An Innovative Surgical Simulator for Globe and Orbit Procedures

Le résumé fourni par la source

Background: Increased access to procedural opportunities for trainees in ophthalmology is needed to refine critical surgical skills, including manipulating and suturing the conjunctiva and sclera. Purpose: To develop an in vitro high-fidelity globe and orbit model, made from synthetic materials and 3D-printing techniques, and to report our experience using the model in a structured wet lab training session on conjunctival and scleral suturing. Methods: The model was implemented into two resident wet lab courses. Trainees and expert evaluators were asked to perform the same procedures. Evaluators were asked to incise and repair the simulated conjunctiva and sclera in a microsurgical environment. Trainees assessed their own skills and confidence levels in both scleral and conjunctival suturing. A 14-question survey was used to evaluate the physical attributes, realism of experience, performance, value, and relevance of the surgical simulator. The main outcome measure was expert ratings of the model on a 4-point Likert scale, with higher ratings reflecting a better perception of the simulator’s features, and trainee self-reported confidence. Results: A panel of 5 expert attending ophthalmologists and 7 ophthalmology residents participated. Expert surgeons with a mean of 9.8 years of surgical experience conducted comprehensive assessments. The overall evaluation demonstrated high ratings in all domains, with a mean of 3.22 for physical attributes, 3.48 for realism, 3.40 for performance, 3.70 for value, and 3.80 for relevance, demonstrating high fidelity in these critical domains. Residents noted a significant increase in confidence in skills following use of the model. Conclusions: The globe and orbit model enables trainees to rehearse and refine their scleral and conjunctival manipulation and suturing techniques within a safe and controlled microsurgical environment. With its high degree of realism and value, this simulator proves to be a valuable training tool for ophthalmology students and trainees.

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