Surgical Simulation Course for Facial Fracture Education

Abstract

A hands-on facial fracture simulation course can be an important adjunct teaching modality in resident education and training, enhancing both resident confidence and competence in treatment of facial fractures. In this study, 11 plastic surgery residents participated in a surgical wet laboratory and lecture focusing on operative management of facial fractures. Pre- and post-course questionnaires were administered as clinical knowledge assessments. Pre-course, 40% of participating residents reported feeling comfortable with facial fracture management (>5 of 10) and 50% of residents achieved competence on clinical assessment (scoring >50%). Following the simulation course, these same assessments were re-administered. Post-course, comfortability with fracture management increased to 100% among participating residents, and 90% of residents scored >50%, demonstrating improvement in clinical competency.

Fig. 1.

Submandibular approach and simulation of a body fracture using an osteotome.

Fig. 2.

Fixation of the fracture using inferior plate and bicortical locking screws and superior plate (tension band) using monocortical locking screws.

Fig. 3.

Resident response when asked about adequate exposure to facial fractures in residency before and after the Facial Fracture Education Course on a scale of 1–10, with 1 signifying “not at all comfortable” and 10 signifying “very comfortable” with adequate exposure to facial trauma in thus far in residency training.

Fig. 4.

Resident response to questionnaire before and after Facial Fracture Education Course. Scale for each question was 1–10, with 10 being very comfortable with that step in operative facial fracture management.