High-Fidelity Microsurgical Simulation: The Thiel Cadaveric Nerve Model and Evaluation Instrument

Andrei Odobescu, Deborah Dawson, Isak Goodwin, Patrick G. Harris, Joseph BouMerhi, Michel A. Danino

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

With surgical education moving from a time-based to a competency-based model, developing high-fidelity simulation models has become a priority. The Thiel cadaveric model has previously been used for a number of medical and surgical simulations, including microvascular simulation. We aim to investigate the use of the Thiel model in peripheral nerve simulation and validate a novel evaluation instrument. Sixteen residents ranging from postgraduate years 1 to 6 participated in the study. Their nerve coaptations using Thiel cadaveric nerves were video recorded and evaluated by 5 fellowship-trained microsurgeons using the Micro-Neurorrhaphy Evaluation Scale (MNES). The intraclass correlation among the 5 evaluators was 0.75, revealing excellent interrater reliability. The Cronbach α was.77, underlining the internal consistency of the test items. Bivariate analysis revealed a significant association between the MNES scores and the participants’ self-declared level of experience. This correlation was confirmed by mixed modeling. Our results validate the MNES and underscore the utility of the Thiel nerve tissue for peripheral nerve surgical simulation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)289-296
Number of pages8
JournalPlastic Surgery
Volume27
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Thiel
  • cadaveric
  • nerve repair
  • neurorrhaphy
  • simulation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

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