The simulator curriculum plays an important role in the success of skill centers and in resident learning. A number of publications have demonstrated the importance of structured VR training curriculum and suggest that training within a proficiency-based virtual reality curriculum may reduce errors during real surgical procedures.
3D Systems is very proud to work in collaboration with key opinion leaders to provide our worldwide customers with well thought out curricula. Within these, the simulator serves as a tool for delivering a learning experience. The curricula are intended to enhance learner motivation for a structured, enjoyable and efficient way of acquiring skills using simulators.
Fundamentals of Arthroscopic Surgery Training (FAST) Curriculum
Arthroscopy is a very common orthopedic procedure; however, it remains challenging from technical and psychomotor perspectives. One of the main challenges is that arthroscopy requires ambidextrous triangulation in three dimensions, while the surgeon is guided by a two-dimensional video display.
The Fundamentals of Arthroscopic Surgery Training (FAST) Program was initiated in 2011 as a collaborative effort of AANA, AAOS, and ABOS. The FAST program is based on the principle that basic surgical skills are best developed sequentially. It assumes that advanced proficiency should be based on successful completion of a basic skills curriculum.
The FAST Program consists of six modules, each providing different knowledge and skills that should be obtained sequentially:
Module 1- Basic Principles of Arthroscopy
Module 2- Basic Triangulation Skills
Module 3- Basic Interventional Arthroscopy
Module 4- Suture Anchors
Module 5- Passing Suture through Tissue
Module 6- Arthroscopic Knot Tying
Objectives
- To become familiar with the basic set-up and function of the arthroscopic ‘tower’, basic hand tools, operating room set-up, draping techniques and basic arthroscopic portals.
- To develop basic ambidextrous triangulation skills that are required for clinical performance of arthroscopic surgical procedures.
- To become familiar with principles of interventional arthroscopy, such as avoiding unnecessary contact with the walls of a closed space and maintaining a stable view of a targeted area while using an instrument in the opposite hand to remove or resect a tissue.
- To understand the surgical techniques involved with the placement of suture anchors into a bone.
- To understand the various techniques and steps sequence for the passage of suture through tissue, and become familiar with the related tools.
- To learn the steps sequence required for tying different basic knots, which are used to tie sutures arthroscopically.
Target Audience
- Orthopedic surgery residents from PGY1 through PGY3
- Practicing orthopedic surgeons with limited experience performing arthroscopic surgery
- Beginning arthroscopists
Assumptions
- Little or no prior knowledge or experience with arthroscopy.
- No prior arthroscopic motor skills practice.
- Basic anatomical knowledge of the knee and shoulder joints and of the arthroscopic portals
Suggested Time Length
Completion of the entire course should take between 4-6 hours.
Authors
- 3D Systems
Based on the FAST program that was initiated collaboratively by:
- Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA)
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS)
The full curriculum may be found here:
Fundamentals of Arthroscopic Surgery Training (FAST) Curriculum
Comprehensive Triangulation Curriculum
Description
Performing arthroscopic procedures requires the surgeon to coordinate complicated hand motions ambidextrously without direct visualization.
This course is designed to gradually train the learner on maneuvering the camera and the instrument to thoroughly obtain the necessary skills.
The course includes 4 assignments- each one is focused on a specific skill and in increasing levels of difficulty:
Assignment 1- Camera handling
Assignment 2- Probing stationary non-directional targets
Assignment 3- Probing stationary directional targets
Assignment 4- Linear probe movement
Objectives
- The learner will be able to hold the camera steady.
- The learner will become experienced in moving the camera between targets with minimal movement.
- The learner will become experienced in navigating the probe while holding the camera steady.
- The learner will acquire the hand-eye coordination capabilities relevant for arthroscopic procedures.
Target Audience
- Orthopedic surgery residents from PGY1 through PGY3.
- Practicing orthopedic surgeons with limited experience performing arthroscopic surgery.
- Beginning arthroscopists.
Assumptions
- The learner has little or no prior knowledge or experience with arthroscopy.
- The learner has not had prior arthroscopic motor skills practice.
- The learner has prior anatomical knowledge of the knee and hip joints and the arthroscopic portals.
Suggested Time Length
Completion of the entire course should take between 2-3 hours.
Authors
- 3D Systems – Simbionix
The full curriculum may be found here:
Meniscectomy Curriculum
Description
The following curriculum is focused on the Meniscectomy procedure: relevant pathologies and their classification, instrumentation and procedural steps.
Objectives
- Recognize the different types of meniscal tears and understand their preferred treatment method.
- Be familiar with different meniscectomy tools and understand their advantages and pitfalls.
- Learn and practice the procedural steps in a meniscectomy procedure.
- Evaluate correctly the amount of meniscus that needs to be removed in a meniscectomy procedure.
Target Audience
- Orthopedic surgery residents from PGY1 through PGY3
- Practicing orthopedic surgeons with limited experience performing arthroscopic surgery
- Beginning arthroscopists
Assumptions
- The learner has little experience with arthroscopy.
- The learner has prior arthroscopic motor skills practice.
- The learner has prior anatomical knowledge of the knee joint and the arthroscopic portals.
Suggested Time Length
Completion of the entire course should take around 2 hours.
Authors
Matthew C. Sardelli, M.D.
Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
The full curriculum may be found here:
Shoulder Arthroscopy Curriculum
Description
All those with an interest in the shoulder should develop a basic level of proficiency and should be able to perform a
thorough diagnostic exam, looking from both the anterior and the posterior portals. In addition, one should also be
able to perform simple procedures. To master arthroscopic techniques, it is important to develop a basic foundation
and then build on it in a systematic manner to advance one’s surgical technique.
Objectives
- Be familiar with the arthroscopic anatomy of the shoulder
- Practice on how to manipulate arthroscopic tools inside the shoulder safely and efficiently
- Learn the common path of a systematic examination of the shoulder
- Learn how to identify and document pathological conditions in the shoulder
- Be familiar with portals establishment technique
- Learn the tips and tricks for successful subacromial decompression procedure
- Understand the amount of bone resection required for acromioplasty
- Practice on controlling complications during subacromial decompression
Target Audience
- Orthopedic surgery residents from PGY1 through PGY3
- Practicing orthopedic surgeons with limited experience performing arthroscopic surgery
- Beginning arthroscopists
Assumptions
- The learner has little experience with arthroscopy.
- The learner has prior arthroscopic motor skills practice.
- The learner has prior anatomical knowledge of the shoulder joint and the arthroscopic portals.
Suggested Time Length
Completion of the entire course should take between 2-3 hours.
Authors
Stephen J. Snyder, MD
Southern California Orthopedic Institute
The full curriculum may be found here: