Reconceptualizing a preclinical model for natural, adaptive surgical skills learning.

Title

Reconceptualizing a preclinical model for natural, adaptive surgical skills learning.

Introduction

Preclinical suture training on live-subjects are not always the optimal means of introducing the students to surgical skill. Suturing on foam, animal skin, waste meat, self-made suturing models are commercially available which may be cost ineffective. The efficacy of incision, suturing, and flap reflection technique using different models was evaluated.

Objective

To compare the effectiveness of incision, flap reflection and suturing technique on dragon fruit skin, banana peel and mackintosh sheet adapted to dental cast model using questionnaire for interns.

Methodology

80 interns were demonstrated and asked to perform incision, flap reflection and suturing technique on 3 casts adapted with mackintosh sheet, banana peel and dragon fruit skin each. Answers were evaluated from the questionnaire form given to the interns.

Results

85.36% students responded that dragon fruit was best replicating the gingiva and 56.09% experienced that flap reflection was easier with dragon fruit skin model. 65.8 % students experienced more gaping with banana peel model. Less time was required to perform incision, flap reflection and suturing with mackintosh sheet.

Conclusion

A dragon fruit skin model can be used for effecting learning of surgical skills.