Developing an Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion Simulator for Neurosurgical Resident Training

Abstract

Initial experience with the ACDF simulator suggests that it may represent a meaningful training module for residents. Simulation will be an important training modality for residents to practice surgical technique and for teachers to assess competency. Further development of an ACDF simulator and didactic curriculum will require additional verification of simulator validity and reliability.

Impact of Resident Participation on Outcomes After Single-Level Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion

“…[9][10][11][12] In ACDF, resident participation in the operating room occurs early on and continues through their senior years of training. 13 Currently, there is a paucity of data establishing the relationship between resident participation and perioperative complications in patients undergoing ACDF. Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP), a nationally validated multiinstitutional database, we attempted to determine if any degree of resident involvement in the operating room has any impact on surgical outcomes in ACDF patients.…”

Simulation and resident education in spinal neurosurgery

“…[83] Many designs and uses of synthetic spine surgery simulators have added to this rapidly expanding set of literature over the past several years. [2552657980] This is due in part to the advent of three-dimensional (3D) printing and its increasing use in the medical field, as skulls and vertebrae can now be printed instantly using patient-specific computed tomography (CT) scans. [6693]…”

“…A novel synthetic simulator has also been developed for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). [65] After identifying a lack of spine simulator devices, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) developed the ACDF simulator as part of an educational curriculum for the 2012 annual meeting. The simulator is comprised of a mix of compounds in the silicone family in an attempt to emulate the tissue in anterior cervical region, and a polyurethane mix for vertebrae, ligaments, and disks.…”

Technology and Simulation to Improve Patient Safety

“…15 In spinal surgery, new simulations are being introduced such as the durotomy repair 16 , posterior cervical laminoforaminotomy, 17 , and anterior cervical discectomy models. 18 These have been a welcome addition to prior established simulators for percutaneous pedicle screw fixation. 19 Arguably these skills should be practiced prior to the entry of the operating room, asnd textbook knowledge alone is insufficient.…”