A Novel Craniotomy Simulator Provides a Validated Method to Enhance Education in the Management of Traumatic Brain Injury

A Novel Craniotomy Simulator Provides a Validated Method to Enhance Education in the Management of Traumatic Brain Injury

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BACKGROUND:In a variety of surgical specialties, simulation-based technologies play an important role in resident training. The Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) established an initiative to enhance neurosurgical training by developing a simulation-based curriculum to complement standard didactic and clinical learning. OBJECTIVE:To enhance resident education in the management of traumatic brain injury by the use of simulation-based training. METHODS:A course-based neurosurgical simulation curriculum was developed and offered at the 2012 CNS annual meeting. Within this curriculum, a trauma module was developed to teach skills necessary in the management of traumatic brain injury, including the performance of craniotomy for trauma. Didactic and simulator-based instruction were incorporated into the course. Written and practical pre- and posttests, as well as questionnaires, were used to assess the improvement in skill level and to validate the simulator as a teaching tool. RESULTS:Fourteen trainees participated in the didactic section of the trauma module. Average performance improved significantly in written scores from pretest (75%) to posttest (87.5%, P < .05). Eight participants completed the trauma craniotomy simulator. Incision planning, burr hole placement (P < .02), and craniotomy size (P < .05) improved significantly. Junior residents (postgraduate years 1-3) demonstrated the most improvement during the course. CONCLUSION:The CNS simulation trauma module provides a complementary method for residents to acquire necessary skills in the management of traumatic brain injury. Preliminary data indicate improvement in didactic and hands-on knowledge after training. Additional data are needed to confirm the validity of the simulator. ABBREVIATIONS:ACGME, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical EducationCA, Cochran-ArmitageCNS, Congress of Neurological SurgeonsNCAMSC, National Capital Area Medical Simulator CenterPGY, postgraduate yearTBI, traumatic brain injuryVR, virtual reality

Original Article: http://journals.lww.com/neurosurgery/Fulltext/2013/10001/A_Novel_Craniotomy_Simulator_Provides_a_Validated.12.aspx

Julio Pereira, MD

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