Cadaveric Simulation Training in Cardiothoracic Surgery: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Simulation training has become increasingly relevant in the educational curriculum of surgical trainees. The types of simulation models used, goals of simulation training, and an objective assessment of its utility and effectiveness are highly variable. The role and effectiveness of cadaveric simulation in cardiothoracic surgical training has not been well established. The objective of this study was to evaluate the current medical literature available on the utility and the effectiveness of cadaveric simulation in cardiothoracic surgical residency training. A literature search was performed using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, and CINAHL from inception to February 2019. Of the 362 citations obtained, 23 articles were identified and retrieved for full review, yielding ten eligible articles that were included for analysis. One additional study was identified and included in the analysis. Extraction of data from the selected articles was performed using predetermined data fields, including study design, study participants, simulation task, performance metrics, and costs. Most of these studies were only descriptive of a cadaveric or perfused cadaveric simulation model that could be used to augment clinical operative training in cardiothoracic surgery. There is a paucity of evidence in the literature that specifically evaluates the utility and the efficacy of cadavers in cardiothoracic surgery training. Of the few studies that have been published in the literature, cadaveric simulation does seem to have a role in cardiothoracic surgery training beyond simply learning basic skills. Additional research in this area is needed. Anat Sci Educ 13: 406-418.

Impact of a gynecologic oncology cadaveric dissection course for surgical training

“…Considering Anatomy • Volume 13 / Issue 1 / April 2019 this, the degree and level of the skills and abilities transferred to the operation room are subjective and not totally measurable. [19,20] However, it is obvious that cadaveric dissection courses improve the topographic surgical anatomy knowledge and dissection techniques used in surgery to develop proper tissue planes, which is the main result of this study.…”

“Traditional” Methods of Cardiothoracic Surgical Simulation and Anatomical Education: Are they Adequate?

“…It was our pleasure to read the article by Robinson et al (2020), who performed a review concerning cadaveric simulation training in cardiothoracic surgery. The authors mentioned several advantages of this type of simulation, highlighting its importance for surgical training.…”

“…Also, there was no article to compare cadavers with an important modern simulation method, which is three-dimensional (3D) printing. Despite this lack of comparison with modern simulation models, Robinson et al (2020) stated that the advantages of cadaveric simulation "are particularly germane, given the current trend of decreased time dedicated to gross anatomy cadaveric dissection and didactics and its progressive displacement by computer-based simulation." However, the literature has provided evidence that modern and computer-based technologies are beneficial for anatomy and surgical anatomy education, and moreover in the field of cardiothoracic surgery.…”

“…Could not they be beneficial for anatomy education if they simply be used as adjuncts to cadaveric dissection or prosection, as anatomy teaching tools? In fact, the aforementioned articles, cited by Robinson et al (2020), showed that digital 3D technologies had positive impact on anatomy education. More specifically, the paper by Peterson and Mlynarczyk (2016) included students who were taught anatomy, either via lecture and cadaveric dissection alone, or via lecture and cadaveric dissection augmented with computerized 3D teaching tools.…”

“…Thus, Peterson and Mlynarczyk (2016) concluded that the addition of 3D learning tools can enhance long-term retention of gross anatomy knowledge and should be considered as a beneficial supplement for anatomy teaching. Another review article (Hu et al, 2018), cited by Robinson et al (2020), showed that modern technologies not only have showed significant efficacy when used alongside dissection, but also when they were used alone for surgical anatomy education. Furthermore, Losco et al (2017) published a systematic review about anatomy teaching methods which were proved effective for acquisition and retention of anatomical knowledge.…”