A preliminary evaluation of an innovative synthetic soft tissue simulation module ('Skilltray') for use in basic surgical skills workshops.

The results of a preliminary evaluation comparing the relative merits of biological (freshly-prepared animal offal tissue) and synthetic (Skilltray) simulation modalities are presented, subsequent to their use during two basic surgical skills courses organised by The Royal College of Surgeons of England and The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow in September 1995, and at which 18 SHO grade surgical trainees attended. Each trainee completed a questionnaire at the end of the first session on the second day of the course to assist the evaluation. Our conclusions were as follows: 1. The synthetic tissues evaluated provided a useful and functionally reproducible means for learning the basic exercises included in the mandatory skills course. 2. Freshly-prepared animal tissues undoubtedly provided a more "realistic' medium for rehearsing the basic surgical techniques taught. Trainees preferred to use the synthetic tissues initially and then to progress to the fresh equivalents subsequently. 3. The Skilltray provided all the requisite elements for rehearsing basic tissue handling, suturing, and anastomotic techniques in a self-contained, easily transportable module. We would suggest that such a unit be given to each participant to take away at the end of the basic skills course, to enable consolidation of the skills learned. 4. Where the use of fresh tissues is not possible the highly functional nature of the synthetic simulators evaluated make it acceptable then to use them as the only training modality.