What came first: the egg or the microsurgery training? An ophthalmic model for developing basic skills in microsurgery

Abstract

Purpose: To describe a new accessible model of ophthalmological training using chicken eggs.Methods: With the aid of a spherical drill, the external calcified layer and the cuticle of the chicken eggshell were removed in a 2cm diameter circle. Using a video-magnification system, the film was dissected and cut to approximately 1.5 cm diameters. The film was removed and repositioned to make interrupted 12-0 nylon microsutures. The parameters analyzed were: cost, facility of acquisition and handling, time for making the model and the microsutures and number of possible uses.Results: In all simulators, it was possible to carry out separated and equidistant micro-sutures in the egg membrane, without the need for reintervention. Conclusion:The new chicken-egg model for ophthalmic surgery training is low-cost, easy to acquire and handle, and viable for the development of basic microsurgery skills. RESUMOObjetivo: Descrever um novo modelo acessível de treinamento oftalmológico com ovo de galinha.Métodos: Com o auxílio de uma broca esférica, a camada calcificada externa e a cutícula da casca do ovo de galinha foram retiradas em um círculo 2 cm de diâmetro. Mediante um sistema de videomagnificação, a película foi dissecada e cortada em formato aproximado de 1,5 cm de diâmetro. A película foi removida e reposicionada para a confecção de microssuturas interrompidas com nylon 12-0. Os parâmetros analisados foram: custo, facilidade de aquisição e manuseio, tempo para confecção do modelo e para a confecção das microssuturas e número de utilizações possíveis.Resultados: Em todos os simuladores foi possível realizar microssuturas separadas e equidistantes na membrana do ovo, sem necessidade de reintervenção.Conclusão: O novo modelo com ovo de galinha para o treinamento de cirurgia oftalmológica é de baixo custo, fácil aquisição e manuseio, além de ser viável no desenvolvimento de habilidades básicas em microcirurgia.

Low-cost suture simulator to gain basic surgical skills

“…In addition to physical consequences, damage to the patient can lead to increased economic and social costs, reduced achievement of expected results, and greater recurrence of ethical issues 8 . In this sense, knowing that the teaching process of future surgeons is based on the “learning by doing” method, there are several possible situations in which training directly on the patient could result in adverse health events 4 , 9 . Therefore, alternatives for simulated training are sought, replacing models of patients and live animals or human cadavers 1 , 2 , 9 .…”

“…In this sense, knowing that the teaching process of future surgeons is based on the “learning by doing” method, there are several possible situations in which training directly on the patient could result in adverse health events 4 , 9 . Therefore, alternatives for simulated training are sought, replacing models of patients and live animals or human cadavers 1 , 2 , 9 . New student-centered approaches are being established, such as bench-top simulation models, aimed at advancing medical education and increasing performance 1 , 2 , 6 , 7 .…”

“…This set guarantees the correct technical execution, coaptation of the wound edges, and operative healing, ruling out possible complications such as dehiscence and infections. However, many of the simulation and training models developed are expensive, with materials that are difficult to access and, therefore, to replicate, which distances students and professionals from their use 1 - 3 , 6 , 9 , 10 .…”