Nogueira Margarida, Nicolau Abel, Granja Cristina
Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
RISE-Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
Porto Biomed J. 2025 Sep 10;10(5):e299. doi: 10.1097/j.pbj.0000000000000299. eCollection 2025 Sep-Oct.
The demand for skill development in the surgical field is critical to achieve the best functional and aesthetic patient results. Therefore, the use of simulation models has become necessary and integrated in training, holding substantial importance in skin reconstruction in the head. These models, while varying for realism and training applications, offer a low-stress, safe, and replicable environment for interns and residents to enhance their surgical technique.
The aim of this review was to analyze the various head simulators designed for skin flap and skin graft training. The anatomical representation, selected materials, manufacturing process, and validation approaches were examined to provide an overview of the characteristics of the models. In addition, their impact on training was assessed, categorizing the outcome as positive, negative, or with no effect, based on the findings of the reviewed studies.
Published literature on PubMed and Scopus was gathered through relevant keywords and phrases related to dermatological facial surgery simulators. A narrative synthesis was conducted based on the reporting guidelines of the synthesis without meta-analysis method. The head models were evaluated with overall performance as the primary outcome and confidence, planning and design, and execution as the secondary outcomes.
Thirteen studies on head models for skin procedures were identified between 2004 and 2023. All the simulators reviewed demonstrated variability for supported techniques, composition, manufacturing methods, anatomical detail, and validation approach. Eleven studies demonstrated that the models improved at least one of the selected outcomes. No model was targeted for skin graft reconstruction. Furthermore, none of the models integrated objective feedback mechanisms.
Simulation was proved to enhance the surgical training of dermatological reconstructions in the head, despite variations in realism, complexity and production process. Future efforts should prioritize higher anatomical accuracy, cost-efficiency, and integration of feedback mechanisms to improve the educational value of these tools.
手术领域的技能发展需求对于实现最佳的患者功能和美学效果至关重要。因此，模拟模型的使用已变得必要并融入培训中，在头部皮肤重建中具有重要意义。这些模型虽然在逼真度和训练应用方面各不相同，但为实习生和住院医师提供了一个低压力、安全且可重复的环境，以提高他们的手术技术。
本综述的目的是分析为皮瓣和皮肤移植训练设计的各种头部模拟器。研究了其解剖学表现、所选材料、制造工艺和验证方法，以概述这些模型的特点。此外，根据综述研究的结果，评估了它们对训练的影响，将结果分为积极、消极或无影响三类。
通过与皮肤科面部手术模拟器相关的关键词和短语，收集了PubMed和Scopus上发表的文献。根据非荟萃分析方法的综合报告指南进行叙述性综合分析。以整体性能作为主要结果，以信心、规划与设计以及执行为次要结果，对头部模型进行评估。
在2004年至2023年期间，共确定了13项关于皮肤手术头部模型的研究。所有综述的模拟器在支持的技术、组成、制造方法、解剖细节和验证方法方面都存在差异。11项研究表明，这些模型至少改善了一项所选结果。没有模型针对皮肤移植重建。此外，没有一个模型集成了客观反馈机制。
尽管在逼真度、复杂性和生产过程方面存在差异，但模拟被证明可以增强头部皮肤科重建的手术训练。未来的努力应优先提高解剖学准确性、成本效益以及反馈机制的集成度，以提高这些工具的教育价值。
