Microsurgical Skill Acquisition In A One-day Introductory Course With Performance Evaluation Using Software Assisted Scoring System

Publication date: Available online 29 March 2016
Source:Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery
Author(s): C.J. Stewart, S.K.M. Yusoff, D. Widdowson, W.L. Lam
BackgroundRecent emphasis on microsurgical skill acquisition at an earlier stage of plastic surgery training has seen a shift towards objective competence based assessment. Yet no objective measures of spacing or alignment exist, with few validated models that assess ability. The authors propose a novel software analysis scoring system to objectively measure spacing, alignment and overall improvement in a one-day, introductory course setting.MethodsImages of standard 4mm latex strips that had been sutured by participants using the Microtrainer system were uploaded onto calibrated, online software. Sutures were analysed with regards to spacing, alignment and density. From these measurements, a total score was calculated; one on initial assessment at the course beginning (Score 1) and one on final assessment at the course end (Score 2), facilitating measurement of overall improvement.ResultsThirty-eight microsurgical anastomoses from 19 participants ranging from postgraduate years 1-7 were analysed. Seventeen participants had no previous experience of microsurgery. The mean average Score 1 of participants was -2 (range -12 to +22) and Score 2 was 22 (range +12 to +32) showing a significant improvement in candidate ability throughout the course of the day (p < 0.0001).ConclusionsMicrotrainer system software analysis provides a novel, reliable and consistent objective assessment for surgical trainees at all stages of training, without risk to patients. It has an associated cost for initial set-up, yet is timely, repeatable and can efficiently demonstrate progress in a one-day course setting.



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