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Use of cigar box arthroscopy trainer may decrease learning curve of residents
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Use of the cigar box arthroscopy trainer was effective and may lower the learning curve of residents without incurring significant costs to residency programs, according to results.
Researchers developed a nonanatomic knee arthroscopy training module and randomly assigned 24 medical students with no prior arthroscopic or laparoscopic experience to either cigar box arthroscopy training, anatomic knee arthroscopy training or to a control group with no additional pre-assessment training. Faculty members assessed participants’ skills through repeated attempts at performing a diagnostic knee arthroscopy on a cadaveric specimen and provided objective scores using a minimally adapted version of the basic arthroscopic knee skill scoring system. Researchers also calculated total cost differences between training programs.
Results showed minimum proficiency in the allotted time was successfully reached by 75% of participants in both the cigar box arthroscopy- and anatomic knee arthroscopy-training groups vs. 25% of participants in the control group. Researchers found the number of attempts to reach proficiency were not significantly different between the cigar box arthroscopy-training group and the anatomic knee arthroscopy-training group. The cigar box arthroscopy trainer had a lower building cost at $44.12 compared to $324.33 for the anatomic knee arthroscopy trainer, according to results. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosures: Sandberg reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
Perspective
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Felix H. Savoie, MD
The novel idea by Sandberg and colleagues provides evidence of the effectiveness of an inexpensive “cigar box simulator” in achieving beginner-level proficiency with arthroscopic skills. This is an excellent idea that can benefit many training programs without added expense. The researchers are to be congratulated on the pilot study. Medical students and residents should be required to pass this simple training exercise prior to their exposure to routine arthroscopic procedures performed in our patients.
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