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
Bibliographical Record
Artur Diógenes Vasques Farias, Ivens Rafael Resplande de Sá, Leticia Libório Santos,
Lucas Evangelista de Andrade, Lourrany Borges Costa. Simuladores sintéticos de baixo
custo no ensino de Cirurgia Plástica para estudantes de Medicina. Revista Brasileira
de Cirurgia Plástica (RBCP) – Brazilian Journal of Plastic Surgery 2025; 40: s00451809396.
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1809396
