Simulation Training Approach for Cleft Lip and Palate Repair in Low-Income Countries

Abstract

Background During periods of civil strife, the need for trauma care and lack of sufficient cleft surgeons causes an increase in children left untreated with cleft lip and palate deformities. During the Syrian war, some cleft care was provided through visiting charities, with surgeries performed both in Syria and neighboring countries. There is a need to increase the number of adequately trained cleft surgeons available in such regions so that care can be achieved beyond mission trips. Methodology Cleft lip and palate repair workshops were delivered to 50 doctors in Syria. Pre-workshop, trainees received supplementary learning material. During the workshop, attendees received didactic teaching followed by 2 simulation sessions. Pre- and post-workshop, attendees completed questionnaires regarding their confidence and ability to perform cleft lip and palate repair. Results Pre-workshop, 96% of workshop attendees had never independently performed cleft lip repair while 100% of attendees had not previously performed cleft palate repair. The mean pre-workshop confidence score was 2.452. Post-workshop, the mean confidence score was 3.503. Confidence rating scores significantly improved ( P < .001). Conclusion The workshop delivered in Syria, together with this cleft lip and palate simulator provides an effective training tool that may support surgical training globally, particularly those in low-income countries. Further support is needed by charity organizations to ensure the continued delivery of such training.

Speech Outcomes Audit for Unilateral Cleft lip and Palate After 2-Stage Palate Repair: Preliminary Results

“…Regarding the differences in speech outcomes comparing the surgeons, it is known that education and training is an essential process. Different tools have been proposed, such as workshops using simulators for cleft palate surgeries 15 . Not all studies report significant differences between surgeons.…”

“…Different tools have been proposed, such as workshops using simulators for cleft palate surgeries. 15 Not all studies report significant differences between surgeons.…”

Surgical simulation education in plastic surgery: current state of the art and need for improvement

“…One advantage of this tool is that it comprises detailed, accurate anatomy and multi-layered tissue planes that allow for a complete end-to-end unilateral cleft lip repair using real surgical instruments making it quite a realistic model. This model now distributed by Simulare Medical, a branch of Smile Train-the world's largest cleft charity-has been shown to be effective in training surgeons for cleft lip and palate repair in low-income countries (6,7). More extensive primary rhinoplasty procedures including nostril rim incisions and other rhinoplasty approaches are technically also possible given the accuracy of the simulator's anatomy.…”