Pre-clinical Training for New Notes Procedures: From Ex-vivo Models to Virtual Reality Simulators

An Ex Situ Cadaver Liver Training Model Continuously Pressurized to Simulate Specific Skills Involved in Laparoscopic Liver Resection: the Lap-Liver Trainer

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) requires delicate skills. The aim of the study was to develop a training model mimicking as much as possible intraoperative bleeding and bile leakage during LLR. We also assessed the educational value of the training model.

METHODS

The Lap-liver trainer (LLT) combined a continuously pressurized ex situ cadaver liver and a customized mannequin. The customized mannequin was designed by computer-aided design and manufactured by 3D printing. The left lateral sectionectomy (LLS) was chosen to assess the feasibility of a LLR with the LLT. Eighteen volunteers were recruited to perform LLS and to assess the educational value of the LLT using a Likert scale.

RESULTS

The customized mannequin consisted of a close laparoscopic training device based on a simplified reconstruction of the abdominal cavity in laparoscopic conditions. Ex situ cadaver livers were pressurized to simulate blood and bile supplies. Each expert surgeon (n = 3) performed two LLS. They were highly satisfied of simulation conditions (4.80 ± 0.45) and strongly recommended that the LLT should be incorporated into a teaching program (5.00 ± 0.0). Eight novice and 4 intermediate surgeons completed a teaching program and performed a LLS. Overall, the level of satisfaction was high (4.92 ± 0.29), and performing such a procedure under simulation conditions benefited their learning and clinical practice (4.92 ± 0.29).

CONCLUSIONS

The LLT could provide better opportunities for trainees to acquire and practice LLR skills in a more realistic environment and to improve their ability to deal with specific events related to LLR.

Defining medical simulators for simulation-based education in EUS: Theoretical approach and a narrative review

Choosing the right simulator for tasks in simulation-based education in medicine will affect the trainees’ skills. However, there is a shortage in the vocabularies used for describing medical simulators and the contextual usage of simulators. We propose methods for approaching the task of choosing and defining the simulators needed, regardless of it being an acquisition or development process. It is advocated that efforts are made in defining the simulator's requirements before making any choice in regards to development processes. Multiple advantages are attained by keeping the simulator simple, both educational and development wise. Issues on validating simulators are discussed and highlighted as actions where interprofessional communication is likely to fail. The following conventional terms in medical education are problematic in regard to establishing a clear communication: Virtual reality, fidelity, validation, and simulation. The text is finalized in a short discussion on applying the methods in an EUS/endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) context. The work is the authors’ interpretation of an invitation having the title “Development of EUS and EBUS training models and simulators.”

Design and validation of a therapeutic EUS training program using a live animal model: Taking training to the next level

Background and Objectives:

EUS has evolved into a therapeutic modality for gastrointestinal disorders. Simulators, ex vivo models, and phantoms are the current teaching methods for therapeutic EUS (TEUS). We create and evaluate a high-fidelity simulated live animal model (HiFi SAM) for teaching endoscopists TEUS.

Materials and Methods:

Designing a curriculum that uses HiFi SAM and enables trainees to perform realistic procedures with expert mentors.

Results:

Twenty-seven trainees participated in a 3-day program with 6 h of theoretical and 14 h of hands using life HiFi SAM. Eighteen experts participated. Twenty-two (20–25) TEUS were defined for each HiFi SAM, and 616 were performed in all. Of 616/264 (43%) were evaluated with a mean of 88 per course (ranging between 80 and 95). Ninety-one percent (240/264) of the procedures were completed successfully. In 24, success was not achieved due to technical and/or model problems. Student rating of HiFi SAM was: 71% excellent rating (scale 8–10) and 95% excellent/good. The HiFi SAM procedure evaluation was (scale 1–5): fine-needle biopsy: 4.79, radiofrequency: 4.76, common bile duct and gallbladder drainage: 4.75, cystic drainages: 4.72, neurolysis: 4.55, microbiopsy: 4.50, and hepatogastric drainage: 4.04, with an overall satisfaction rate of 4.56 (91%). A short survey showed: 83% would recommend absolutely (17% most likely), 33% think that ITEC training was sufficient for their practice, and 66% would like additional training, especially more practice in specific techniques rather than more clinical case discussion. Regarding impact on their practice, 66% of the trainees started a new procedure and/or noted improvement in previous ones.

Conclusion:

HiFi SAM is a complex model; however, experts and trainees are satisfied with the training this new curriculum provided.

A pilot human study on newly designed closure clips in endoscopic closure of giant gastrointestinal perforation using a continuous closing method

BACKGROUND

A large gastrointestinal perforation is a serious and even life-threatening clinical condition. Current endoscopic techniques for closing large gastrointestinal perforation have limitations. Building upon our recent findings in a porcine model, this pilot human study aimed to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and effectiveness of a novel endoscopic technique using newly designed closure clips for closure of giant gastrointestinal perforation.

METHODS

A total of 18 patients who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and developed giant gastrointestinal perforation > 2 cm in diameter were enrolled in this study. The newly designed closure clips, consisting of a sewing clip and knotter, were applied in endoscopic closure of the gastrointestinal perforations using a continuous suturing method. The safety, feasibility, and effectiveness were subsequently assessed in these patients.

RESULTS

Endoscopic closure of the giant perforation was achieved in all patients. In evaluation of safety and effectiveness of this technique with the new closure clips and the continuous suturing method, no obvious intraoperative complications (e.g., bleeding, abdominal infection) occurred in the studied patients. Furthermore, on 1-month follow-up gastric endoscopy, all the patients showed complete closure of the gastrointestinal perforations, and no clinical signs of specific abnormalities or symptoms were observed.

CONCLUSION

This novel technique has been shown to be safe, effective, and feasible for the treatment of giant gastrointestinal perforation.

A new platform for laparoscopic training: initial evaluation of the ex-vivo live multivisceral training device

BACKGROUND

Various training models have been developed for laparoscopic training. Inanimate models including cadavers, ex-vivo simulator, and virtual reality (VR), are less realistic and often fail to display specific events such as bleeding, bile leakage, etc. Animal models provide more realistic experience, but constraints like cost involved, anesthetic requirement, and ethical approval have limited its application. We have designed a new training ex-vivo simulator-Smagister to address these issues.

METHODS

The Smagister consists of a normothermic machine perfusion platform, multivisceral organ of porcine abdominal cavity (liver, gallbladder, pancreas, stomach, intestine, kidney, uterus, bladders, etc.), high-definition display, and software system. Blood gas analysis and number of peristalsis per hour were recorded. A questionnaire was used to subjectively assess vitality of the organ cluster every hour. Three laparoscopic procedures including cholecystectomy (LC), enterotomy closure (LEC) and hepatectomy (LLR) were performed on Smagister, with demonstration of specific events for each procedure. Six experts compared the procedures with actual surgery in terms of feasibility to complete procedures and demonstration of complications.

RESULTS

The fluctuation of perfusate glucose (6.1-8.2 mmol/L) and lactate (5.82-6.55 mmol/L) suggested metabolic function of the multivisceral organs. The mean number of peristalsis was 2.2/min. The simulated surgical view and anatomic structures closely resembled actual surgery during continuous perfusion (3.5 ± 1.0, 3.8 ± 0.8, respectively). The evaluation scores of haptic feedbacks were 3.8 ± 0.8, resembling live tissue handling. LC, LEC, and LLR were performed well on the Smagister, with clear display of the specific events. All six experts considered Smagister as a suitable training modality for both basic and advanced laparoscopic surgery.

CONCLUSION

The amalgamation of live animal model and ex-vivo simulation in Smagister centralizes the virtue of both modalities, expands the training field, and provides high-fidelity laparoscopic training for both novice and senior surgeons.