The Use of a Novel Local Flap Trainer in Plastic Surgery Education

Abstract

With the limitations of work hour restrictions and legal liability surgical resident's operative experience is declining. We sought to find other methods of training using tactile surgical simulations for plastic surgery. With the collaborative efforts of a local artist, a local flap trainer was designed to simulate the natural properties, layers, and interaction between layers of tissue. A session was held with Plastic Surgery faculty, residents, and students to review and practice local flaps using the trainer. Afterward, the participants filled out a survey evaluating the simulated skin and tissue model and the effectiveness of the class as a teaching model. The survey given had multiple questions asking the participant to provide a ranking from 1 to 10. The results show that the class utilizing the new suture pad was an effective teaching tool with an average score of 9.56. The suture pad was given a score of 6.77 for simulating realistic skin. Overall, the group rated increased understanding and confidence of local flaps after the class. Surgical skill simulations are becoming increasingly more important with the decline of resident operative experience. There are limited options for surgical simulations that provide a realistic experience. We designed a suture pad that is effective at simulating human tissue. The surveys show that using this suture pad in flap workshops provides a valuable teaching tool.

Fig. 1.

This figure features a participant utilizing the flat local flap trainer to practice a rhomboid flap design.

Fig. 2.

This figure features a participant utilizing the flat local flap trainer to practice a bilobe flap design.

Fig. 3.

This figure demonstrates 1 of the participants using the specialty designed face model to execute a forehead flap.

Fig. 4.

Participant assessment of local skin flap design workshop. Participants were asked 7 survey questions evaluating the workshop and suture pad models. Higher numbers indicate higher priority where is the 10 maximum score. Median rank and interquartile range is demonstrated.