Development and Validation of a Physical Anatomic Model for Surgical TrainingUsing 3D Printing Technology

Project SummarySimulation training is unique in its ability for repetitive practice of a wide variety of scenarios and to reflect on performance without jeopardizing a patient s safetyMedical simulation provides a controlled setting with step wise skills progressionutilizing continuous feedback and assessment aiming at the ultimate goal of skills transfer to clinical competenceSurgical skills simulators have been successful in bridging gaps of the current training modelhoweverthese simulators fall short of offering a complete operative experienceOperative exposure with live patients still remains the vanguard of hands on clinical trainingUnder supervision and guidancetraining surgeons inherently practice and refine skills on patients during residencyexposing them to unnecessary risksTo enhance the efficiencysafety and comprehensiveness of surgical trainingwe propose to develop inanimate models utilizing novel concepts inD printing technologyWe have engineered a model to simulate a partial nephrectomy that replicates human anatomyfunctionalityi ebleedingand pathologyThrough this modelcomprehensive procedural training and competence can be achieved prior to operative exposureWe plan to validate this models by comparing several clinical metrics in experienced surgeons and traineesWe will also validate the physical realism of this model by testing their mechanical properties in comparison to those of human tissue Project NarrativeSimulated Inanimate Models create a comprehensive operative experience including preoperative planningadvanced technical skills and cognitive knowledgeThis offers a unique platform for trainingassessmentand credentialing of traineessurgeons as well as auxiliary operating room staffThe project will use novelD printing applications to develop and validate the utilization of these models as a trainingevaluation and certification tool