Daily Practice with the DryLab System Improves Surgical Skills and Promotes Interest for Cardiac Surgery among Visiting Students

Background: Performing bypass anastomosis requires demanding and continuous training. Simulators offer the possibility to perform anastomoses and to improve its quality over time. In this study we sought to verify the improvement through daily practice with a novel 3D printed anastomosis model (DryLab).

Methods: Exercises were performed by 8 medical students in their 6th year of medical school. A daily exercise was performed for one week. The completed end-to-side anastomoses to the left anterior descending/intermediate artery were blinded reviewed by two consultants using an anastomosis score system. Data were collected after the first anastomosis and after one week practice. Moreover, a survey regarding skill improvement and satisfaction was conducted. Normality was checked using D'Agostino-Pearson test and a paired sample Student t-test was used to compare data.

Results: Significant improvements in graft orientation (3.25 ± 0.16, 2.38 ± 0.38, p = 0.05), needle transfer (4.25 ± 0.25, 3.13 ± 0,23, p = 0.005) and use of the Castroviejo needle holder (4.38 ± 0.26, 3.25 ± 0.37, p = 0.026) were observed. Whereas spacing-biting, forceps use was still not statistically significant but with a trend to significance (3.88 ± 0.35, 3.13 ± 0.39, p = 0.18; 4.25 ± 0.31, 3.38 ± 0.32, p = 0.07; 4 ± 0.33, 3.125 ± 0.35, p = 0.09). A significant reduction in time for completing one anastomosis was observed (32 minute. ± 2.93, 16.5 ± 1.18 minute., p = 0.0002). All students were satisfied, in all there was a growing interest in cardiac surgery.

Conclusion: Daily exercise with simulator significantly improved surgical skills and reduces time for completing anastomosis. Our 1-week practice enhanced the interest among students for cardiac surgery. Moreover, simulator training should be a consistent part of visiting students.

 

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No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).

Publication History

Article published online:
13 February 2024