Self-made transvaginal ultrasound simulator: new training equipment in ultrasound evaluation of controlled ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval.

Aim: We sought to create and describe a self-made simulator designed and created for teaching purposes: a high-fidelity ultrasound phantom for demonstrating antral follicle count, ultrasound supervision of controlled of ovarian stimulation, and ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval. Materials and methods: The uterus and ovaries of the ultrasound phantom were made from beef tongue, a male condom, latex gloves, cotton suture threads, bi-distilled water, and ultrasound gel. The components were placed in a pelvis created using three-dimensional (3D) printing. The phantom was presented to and evaluated by a group of 14 physicians pursuing a postgraduate course in reproductive medicine. Two training stations were structured: one to simulate antral follicle count and controlled ovarian stimulation and the other to simulate ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval. Future specialists were requested to complete a feedback questionnaire evaluating the self-made simulator and the two practice stations. Results: The transvaginal ultrasound phantom was successfully created, making it possible to simulate antral follicle count, ultrasound control of ovarian hyperstimulation, and oocyte retrieval, and to capture ultrasound images. A review of the answers provided in the feedback questionnaire showed that the phantom had a good appearance and design, was realistic, helped to improve motor coordination, and could be a useful tool in the training of specialists in assisted reproduction. Conclusion: This phantom was designed to enable instruction and practice in the evaluation of ovarian follicles and ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval in a supervised training environment. This self-made simulator is proposed as a training tool that could be included in the curricular structure of residency and postgraduate programs in reproductive medicine.

Development and Validation of a Homemade, Low-Cost Laparoscopic Simulator for Resident Surgeons (LABOT).

Several studies have demonstrated that training with a laparoscopic simulator improves laparoscopic technical skills. We describe how to build a homemade, low-cost laparoscopic training simulator (LABOT) and its validation as a training instrument. First, sixty surgeons filled out a survey characterized by 12 closed-answer questions about realism, ergonomics, and usefulness for surgical training (global scores ranged from 1-very insufficient to 5-very good). The results of the questionnaires showed a mean (±SD) rating score of 4.18 ± 0.65 for all users. Then, 15 students (group S) and 15 residents (group R) completed 3 different tasks (T1, T2, T3), which were repeated twice to evaluate the execution time and the number of users' procedural errors. For T1, the R group had a lower mean execution time and a lower rate of procedural errors than the S group; for T2, the R and S groups had a similar mean execution time, but the R group had a lower rate of errors; and for T3, the R and S groups had a similar mean execution time and rate of errors. On a second attempt, all the participants tended to improve their results in doing these surgical tasks; nevertheless, after subgroup analysis of the T1 results, the S group had a better improvement of both parameters. Our laparoscopic simulator is simple to build, low-cost, easy to use, and seems to be a suitable resource for improving laparoscopic skills. In the future, further studies should evaluate the potential of this laparoscopic box on long-term surgical training with more complex tasks and simulation attempts.

Modelo de neuroendoscopia ventricular "INARUS" / Ventricular neuroendoscopy model "INARUS"

Introducción: La simulación es una herramienta de educación indispensable para un entrenamiento progresivo en un ámbito seguro, no solo para el paciente sino para el educando. La misma fue incorporada en la curricula de nuestras especialidades quirúrgicas a partir del 2013. Las habilidades neuroquirúrgicas requieren de un experticio que implica un periodo prolongado de tiempo de práctica. En la actualidad, dicho periodo, se tiende a disminuir con la enseñanza de ensayo y error, repetición de los procedimientos y automatización de maniobras que la simulación facilita con el agregado de la posibilidad de un feedback de retroalimentación entre el profesional en formación y el educador en un ambiente seguro. Objetivo: Describir un modelo de simulador físico sintético de bajo costo como herramienta inicial para mejorar la curva de aprendizaje de las técnicas de neuroendoscopia intraventricular. Descripción del simulador: es un modelo físico sintético realizado a través de técnicas de mordería con gel autoportante. El simulador ofrece la posibilidad de practicar técnicas básicas neuroendoscópicas intraventriculares, ofreciendo la particularidad de poder repetir las maniobras y gestos quirúrgicas con un coste beneficio muy elevado debido al muy bajo precio de realización del simulador. A su vez, se trata de un modelo de simulación que se puede fabricar de forma casera en cualquier centro de simulación. Discusión: Presentamos un modelo inédito de bajo costo y alta fidelidad para simulación neuroendoscópica. Consta de un cerebro sintético físico que permite replicar ejercicios de navegación intraventricular con maniobras endoscópicas, toma de biopsia de lesiones quísticas o sólidas, sección de tabiques, lavado ventricular y desobstrucción de catéteres intraventriculares. Lo consideramos una herramienta básica y de amplia ayuda para profesionales que decidan iniciar su curva de aprendizaje en la neuroendoscopia intraventricular. Planeamos su validación en futuros congresos de neurocirugía.

Introduction: Simulation is an indispensable educational tool for progressive training in a safe environment, for both patients and learning neurosurgeons. It was incorporated into the curricula of our surgical specialties as of 2013. Neurosurgical skills require an expertise that involves a prolonged period of practice time. Currently, this period tends to decrease with the teaching of trial and error, repetition of procedures and automation of maneuvers that the simulation facilitates with the addition of the possibility of feedback between the professional in training and the educator, all doing in a safe environment. Objective: To describe a low cost synthetic physical simulator model as an initial tool to improve the learning curve of intraventricular neuroendoscopy techniques. Description of the simulator: it is a synthetic physical model realized through self-supporting gel biting techniques. The simulator offers the possibility of practicing intraventricular neuroendoscopic basic techniques, offering the peculiarity of being able to repeat maneuvers and surgical gestures with a very high benefit-cost due to a very low price of its creation. At the same time, it is a simulation model that can be manufactured at home in any simulation center. Discussion: We present an unprecedented model of low cost and high fidelity for neuroendoscopic simulation. It consists of a physical synthetic brain that allows the replication of intraventricular navigation exercises with endoscopic maneuvers, a biopsy of solid or cystic lesions, the section of the ventricular septum, ventricular lavage and unblocking of intraventricular catheters. We consider this simulator as a basic tool of wide assistance for professionals who decide to start their learning curve in intraventricular neuroendoscopy. We're planning its validation in a future neurosurgery congress.