A Standardized Hand Fracture Fixation Training Framework using Novel 3D Printed Ex Vivo Hand Models: Our Experience as a Unit

Background: Surgery for hand trauma accounts for a significant proportion of the plastic surgery training curriculum. The aim of this study was to create a standardized simulation training module for hand fracture fixation with Kirschner wire (K-wire) techniques for residents to create a standardized hand training framework that universally hones their skill and prepares them for their first encounter in a clinical setting. Methods: A step-ladder approach training with 6 levels of difficulty on 3-dimensional (3D) printed ex vivo hand biomimetics was employed on a cohort of 20 plastic surgery residents (n = 20). Assessment of skills using a score system (global rating scale) was performed in the beginning and at the end of the module by hand experts of our unit. Results: The overall average scores of the cohort before and after assessment were 23.75/40 (59.4%) and 34.7/40 (86.8%), respectively. Significant (P
Source: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open - Category: Cosmetic Surgery Tags: Hand/Peripheral Nerve: Original Article Source Type: research