The Utility of Surgical Simulation in Student Education

Authors

Jared Raikin, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow

Abstract

The use of simulation in the field of surgery has become a heavily researched topic over the last few decades, but it is by no means a new concept. The first recorded use of surgical simulation dates back 2,500 years with evidence of nasal models for flap reconstruction made of leaf and clay.1 But simulation as we know it today did not take shape until the 1980s with the invention of the Comprehensive Anesthesia Simulation Environment (CASE) mannequins. The use of nonorganic simulation tools revolutionized the field and continues to play a large role in medical education. These modalities have become particularly helpful in the field of surgery because they allow for repeated practice of skills without sacrificing patient safety. Current surgical simulation has many forms that include, but are not limited to, live animal surgery, cadavers, benchtop simulators, virtual reality (VR) simulators, and robot assisted surgery (RAS) simulators.2 Each of these simulation techniques offer unique opportunities to learn, practice, and improve surgical technique in a high fidelity, minimal stress environment.

Recommended Citation

Raikin, Jared (2020) "The Utility of Surgical Simulation in Student Education," Gibbon Surgical Review: Vol. 3: Iss. 1, Article 5.
Available at: https://jdc.jefferson.edu/gsr/vol3/iss1/5