A novel latex patch model enables cost-effective hands-on teaching in vascular surgery.

OBJECTIVES

We developed a new simulator for hands-on teaching of vascular surgical skills, the Leipzig Latex Patch Model (LPM). This study aimed to quantify the effectiveness and acceptance of the LPM evaluated by students, as well as evaluation of the results by experienced vascular surgeons.

METHODS

A prospective, single-center, single-blinded, randomized study was conducted. Fifty 5th-year medical students were randomized into two groups, first performing a patch suture on the LPM (study group) or established synthetic tissue model (control), then on porcine aorta. The second suture was videotaped and scored by two surgeons using a modified Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skill (OSATS) score. We measured the time required for suturing; the participants completed questionnaires.

RESULTS

Participants required significantly less time for the second suture than the first (median: LPM 30 min vs. control 28.5 min,  = 0.0026). There was no significant difference in suture time between the groups (median: 28 min vs. 30 min,  = 0.2958). There was an increase in confidence from 28 % of participants before to 58 % after the course ( < 0.0001). The cost of materials per participant was 1.05€ (LPM) vs. 8.68€ (control). The OSATS-scores of the LPM group did not differ significantly from those of the control (median: 20.5 points vs. 23.0 points,  = 0.2041).

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study demonstrated an increase in technical skills and confidence through simulator-based teaching. Our data suggests comparable results of the LPM compared to the conventional model, as assessed by the OSATS-score. This low-cost, low-threshold training model for vascular suturing skills should make hands-on training more accessible to students and surgical residents.

KEY MESSAGE

We developed and validated a low-cost, low-threshold training model for vascular suturing skills. This should make hands-on training more accessible to medical students and surgical residents in the future.