Low-cost Synthetic Simulators in Teaching Plastic Surgery for Medical Students

Abstract

Introduction

Realistic simulation in medical education allows for practical experience in complex clinical scenarios, promoting meaningful and safe learning. It is an essential strategy for teaching surgical skills, a critical area for newly graduated physicians.

Objective

This study evaluated the effectiveness of low-cost synthetic models for teaching surgical skills to medical students at the Academic League of Plastic Surgery (LICIP) of the University of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.

Method

This descriptive cross-sectional study involved medical students participating in a surgical skill training course promoted by LICIP. The course included 40 hours of training, divided into virtual theoretical classes and practical classes with synthetic models. LICIP produced models with accessible materials and asked professors and surgeons to evaluate them. We assessed the opinions about the effectiveness of their use for teaching through a self-administered virtual questionnaire.

Results

Among the 50 participants, 68% had never had contact with surgical simulators before. After theoretical classes alone, most assessed their knowledge of surgical techniques as insufficient. After practical training, 88% considered their knowledge high. All reported that practicing with models increased their interest in surgery.

Conclusion

The use of low-cost simulators proved to be viable, economical, and effective for the surgical training of medical students, significantly improving knowledge retention, acquisition of practical skills, and confidence in performing surgical procedures.

Keywords

high fidelity simulation training - medical education - plastic surgery procedures - plastic surgery - training courses

Authors' Contribution

ADVF: final manuscript approval, conceptualization, resource management, writing - original draft preparation; IRRS: data analysis, interpretation, or both, data collection, investigation, methodology, writing - original draft preparation; LLS: statistical analysis, funding acquisition, study conception and design, writing - original draft preparation, visualization; LBC: data analysis, interpretation, or both, final manuscript approval, conceptualization, project management, investigation, writing - review and editing, supervision, validation.

Publication History

Received: 19 August 2024

Accepted: 24 March 2025

Article published online:
20 June 2025

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