Taking a Look into the Larynx: Training by Simulator for Endolaryngeal Microsurgery

Endolaryngeal Microsurgery (EM) requires, amongst other things, a highly precise manual technique. Currently, training for these surgeries consists of learning the theoretical basics, observing proficient colleagues, subsequently practicing individual surgical procedures under supervision and finally conducting the surgery on humans independently. Sufficient courses on suitable preparations are limited. What requirements should be met to establish a sensible simulator to train EM skills? With a haptic operation simulator, first experiences could be collected. These are related to the right handling of the microsurgical instruments for EM, the treatment of pathological processes on simulation models and especially the monitoring of individual learning progress.

So far, a prototype of a haptic simulator has been produced in collaboration with a technical institute. Currently, research is focused on diversifying these models and preparing a pilot series to test the simulator. It is also planned to incorporate first steps to validate the simulator.

Establishing an appropriate simulator as well as an adapted education program will contribute to improve and standardize training in EM. Thus, both quality and effectiveness of EM will be increased.

Poster-PDF A-1415.PDF

Publication History

Article published online:
10 June 2020