Unleashing surgical skills: Ultra-high fidelity trauma thoracotomy training on knowledge donor platform

Background

Resuscitative thoracotomies are a time-sensitive emergency surgical procedure with an immediate risk of mortality. We hypothesize that a high-fidelity whole-body donor simulation model, referred to as a Knowledge Donor (KD), with mechanical lung ventilation and expired human blood perfusion could increase learner confidence in performing this critical procedure.

Methods

General surgery residents and faculty were invited to participate in KD training. Surveys were collected to track participation and confidence.

Results

Simulated resuscitative thoracotomies were performed involving PGY levels I-IV. Mean confidence was highest for residents with both KD and Live Patient experience (5.6 ​± ​1.7), followed by Live Patient only (4.3 ​± ​2.5), and KD only (2.6 ​± ​1.3). The mean confidence rating for residents with neither training opportunity was 1.4 ​± ​1.0.

Conclusions

The KD platform is a hyper-realistic training modality that closely replicates live surgery. This platform allows residents to practice complex surgical procedures in a safe environment, without risking patient safety. This pilot program yielded early results in improving resident procedural confidence for high-risk surgical procedures, specifically resuscitative thoracotomies.