A Practical Cleft Palate Training Model

A Realistic Ingeniously Designed Cleft Palate Simulator for Training of Residents: Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice

OBJECTIVE

Cleft palate is a congenital deformity that presents significant challenges in surgical correction. Proper training with an educational model for can greatly enhance the learning curve and improve patient outcomes. This article discusses the development and evaluation of an economical cleft palate model designed to enhance surgical skills and confidence among residents.

DESIGN

The model was constructed using dental casts, acrylic resin, foam sheets, double-sided adhesives, infant feeding tubes, and red dye.

SETTING

Tertiary care center.

PARTICIPANTS

Surgical residents.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The assembly time and material costs were recorded. To evaluate its effectiveness, participants' feedbacks were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

The cleft palate model was produced at a cost of 250 INR per unit, with assembly taking approximately 15 minutes. Overall, 32 residents completed the simulation exercise of cleft surgery on the model. Participants gave the model an average score of 4 (±0.60) for realistic anatomical appearance, 3.5 (±1.3) for replicating the tactile nature of human tissue. Anatomical accuracy and ability to manipulate tissue and perform suturing received a rating of 3.4 (±1.1) and 3.7 (±0.81), respectively. The model's value as a training tool scored 4.4 (±0.51), with an overall satisfaction rating of 4.6 (±0.22) among residents.

CONCLUSION

Our cleft palate model offers an economical, practical, and accessible solution for surgical training. This model is a viable alternative to more complex and expensive training tools and potentially enhancing the training of healthcare professionals in cleft palate repair.

Cleft lip and palate surgery simulator: Open source simulation model

Objective

Cleft lip and palate is the most common craniofacial birth anomaly and requires surgery in the first year of life. However, craniofacial surgery training opportunities are limited. The aim of this study was to present and evaluate an open-source cleft lip and palate hybrid (casting and three-dimensional (3D) printing) simulation model which can be replicated at low cost to facilitate the teaching and training of cleft surgery anatomy and techniques.

Design

The soft tissue component of the cleft surgery training model was casted using a 3D printed 5-component mold and silicone. The bony structure was designed to simulate the facial anatomy and to hold the silicone soft tissue.

Setting

Two groups, one group of trainees and one group of expert surgeons, at University Hospital Basel in Switzerland and Pontifical Catholic University of Chile in Santiago, Chile, tested the cleft lip and palate simulation model. Participants completed a Likert-based face and content validity questionnaire to assess the realism of the model and its usefulness in surgical training.

Results

More than 70 % of the participants agreed that the model accurately simulated human tissues found in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate. Over 60 % of the participants also agreed that the model realistically replicated surgical procedures. In addition, 80-90 % of the participants found the model to be a useful and appropriate tool for teaching the anatomy and surgical techniques involved in performing unilateral cleft lip and palate repair.

Conclusion

This open-source protocol provides a cost-effective solution for surgeons to introduce the cleft morphology and surgical techniques to trainees on a regular basis. It addresses the current financial barrier that limits access to commercially available models during the early stages of surgeon training prior to specialization in the field.

Simulation Training Approach for Cleft Lip and Palate Repair in Low-Income Countries

BACKGROUND

During periods of civil strife, the need for trauma care and lack of sufficient cleft surgeons causes an increase in children left untreated with cleft lip and palate deformities. During the Syrian war, some cleft care was provided through visiting charities, with surgeries performed both in Syria and neighboring countries. There is a need to increase the number of adequately trained cleft surgeons available in such regions so that care can be achieved beyond mission trips.

METHODOLOGY

Cleft lip and palate repair workshops were delivered to 50 doctors in Syria. Pre-workshop, trainees received supplementary learning material. During the workshop, attendees received didactic teaching followed by 2 simulation sessions. Pre- and post-workshop, attendees completed questionnaires regarding their confidence and ability to perform cleft lip and palate repair.

RESULTS

Pre-workshop, 96% of workshop attendees had never independently performed cleft lip repair while 100% of attendees had not previously performed cleft palate repair. The mean pre-workshop confidence score was 2.452. Post-workshop, the mean confidence score was 3.503. Confidence rating scores significantly improved (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

The workshop delivered in Syria, together with this cleft lip and palate simulator provides an effective training tool that may support surgical training globally, particularly those in low-income countries. Further support is needed by charity organizations to ensure the continued delivery of such training.