Diseño y validación de un simulador para el entrenamiento en la capsulotomía circular continua en la facoemulsificación / Design and validation of a simulator for training in continuous circular capsulotomy for phacoemulsification

Introducción: Diseñar y validar un simulador para el aprendizaje y entrenamiento de la técnica de la capsulorrexis. Métodos: El sistema consiste en un soporte de metacrilato con inclinación de 15° para el apoyo de las manos del cirujano y una zona de papel aluminio comercial y otro de similares características donde el alumno realiza la técnica a través de unas hendiduras realizadas previamente en el soporte. Para evaluar la viabilidad de este simulador se toman los datos de 65 oftalmólogos que realizan la técnica durante actividades de formación, dividiéndolos aleatoriamente en un grupo de 30 especialistas que inician directamente su aprendizaje en ojos de cadáver de animal y en otro grupo de 35 especialistas que se inician previamente con este simulador. Resultados: Se desarrolla un simulador para entrenamiento de la técnica de capsulorrexis. El grupo de alumnos del grupo simulador consigue una reducción en el uso de ojos de cadáver y una mayor eficiencia en la realización de capsulorrexis correctas, a diferencia del grupo que se inicia directamente en ojos de cadáver. Conclusiones: Este simulador constituye una novedad en el entrenamiento de la técnica de capsulorrexis en cuanto a sencillez, coste y reutilización, frente a otros simuladores virtuales con equipos informáticos más costosos y más complicados de transportar. Es pieza clave como paso previo a la utilización de piezas de cadáver y de animales de experimentación, disminuyendo el número de ambos y, por tanto, el coste de la enseñanza (AU)

Introduction: To design and validate a simulator for learning and training in the capsulorhexis technique. Methods: The system consists of a methacrylate support inclined 15° for the surgeon's hand, an area of commercially available aluminum foil, and another one of similar characteristics, where the student performs the technique through some slots that are previously made in the support. In order to evaluate the feasibility of this simulator, data were collected from 65 ophthalmologists performing the technique during training activities. The ophthalmologists were randomly divided into one group of 30 specialists who start their learning on the eyes of an animal cadaver, and into another of 35 specialists who previously started with this simulator. Results: A simulator is developed for training in the capsulorhexis technique. The students from the simulator group achieved a reduction in the use of cadaver eyes, and a higher efficiency in correct capsulorhexis, unlike the group who started directly on the cadaver eyes. Conclusions: This simulator is an innovation in training of the capsulorhexis technique as regards simplicity, cost, and reuse, as compared to other virtual simulators with more expensive computer equipment (CE) equipment that are more difficult to transport. It is an important step prior to the use of cadaver parts and experimental animals, decreasing the number of both, and therefore the teaching costs (AU)

[Design and validation of a simulator for training in continuous circular capsulotomy for phacoemulsification]. / Diseño y validación de un simulador para el entrenamiento en la capsulotomía circular continua en la facoemulsificación.

INTRODUCTION: To design and validate a simulator for learning and training in the capsulorhexis technique. METHODS: The system consists of a methacrylate support inclined 15° for the surgeon's hand, an area of commercially available aluminum foil, and another one of similar characteristics, where the student performs the technique through some slots that are previously made in the support. In order to evaluate the feasibility of this simulator, data were collected from 65 ophthalmologists performing the technique during training activities. The ophthalmologists were randomly divided into one group of 30 specialists who start their learning on the eyes of an animal cadaver, and into another of 35 specialists who previously started with this simulator. RESULTS: A simulator is developed for training in the capsulorhexis technique. The students from the simulator group achieved a reduction in the use of cadaver eyes, and a higher efficiency in correct capsulorhexis, unlike the group who started directly on the cadaver eyes. CONCLUSIONS: This simulator is an innovation in training of the capsulorhexis technique as regards simplicity, cost, and reuse, as compared to other virtual simulators with more expensive computer equipment (CE) equipment that are more difficult to transport. It is an important step prior to the use of cadaver parts and experimental animals, decreasing the number of both, and therefore the teaching costs.