Programa de Simulación Neuroquirúrgica

Abstract

Objective: To describe a basic training program to implement at neurosurgery residency with a structured methodology, different complexity levels, and easily acquired elements.
Introduction: Simulation is defined as use of models to imitate real life experiences. Due to complexity of neurosurgery learning, residency program should include simulation training that allows the resident learning basic skills outside the operating room and develop practices learned.
Materials and methods: A training program was developed at Centro de Simulación Quirúrgica del Hospital Italiano, divided into three surgical complexity levels. Different exercises were designed with accessible, low cost and replicable materials. This program is carried out with a frequency of once a week, five hours each.
Discussion: The proposed models have easy acquisition and high availability, allowing the development of microsurgical skills since early stages in residency, including the use of microsurgical instruments and microscopic magnification, surgical techniques in realistic biological and synthetic materials, based on a program with objectives without repetition limits. The evaluation with a senior neurosurgeon allowed providing a relaxed teaching space, without pressures of surgery. Learning of surgical techniques is based on repetition, so the development of surgical skills in non-assistance academic fields is fundamental in any surgical learning.
Conclusion: Simulation in neurosurgical training remains a field that requires further investigation and validation in its implementation. In our experience, it is an extremely favorable tool because its subsequent application in real life procedures, which could improve and standardize surgical programs teaching.