Application of a Microsurgical Space Restrictor in Microsurgical Simulation Training.

[OBJECTIVE] To investigate the effect of the application of a microsurgical space restrictor in microsurgical simulation training.

[METHODS] A microsurgical space restrictor that can restrict the operation space was designed and produced. Forty neurosurgery residents with standardized training were selected as the study subjects and were randomly divided into the experimental group (group A) and the control group (group B). Group A was trained using the space restrictor, and group B was trained using the traditional method. The skills and overall performance of the 2 groups of trainees were assessed by the Stanford Microsurgery and Resident Training (SMaRT) scale. The assessment was divided into 2 stages: the unobstructed microsurgery test, and the test with the microsurgical operation space restrictor.

[RESULTS] In group A, the score for the first stage (A1) was 3.9 ± 0.6, the score for the second stage (A2) was 3.4 ± 0.6, and the score for A1 was better than that for A2 (P = 0.000); in group B, the score for the first stage (B1) was 3.57 ± 0.6, the score for the second stage (B2) was 3.0 ± 0.6, and the score for B1 was better than that for B2 (P = 0.000). Overall, the score for A1 was better than that for B1 (P = 0.046), and the score for A2 was better than that for B2 (P = 0.009).

[CONCLUSIONS] Microsurgical space restrictor use can improve the effect of microsurgical simulation training and help trainees better master microsurgical operation skills.