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Aly et al: Effect of surgical simulator training on student and live animal outcomes in a feline ovariohysterectomy teaching laboratory
Veterinary Surgery 6, 2024

🔍 Key Findings

  • This study evaluated whether high-fidelity surgical simulator training improved live animal and student outcomes in a feline OHE teaching lab involving 186 cats and 146 students.
  • Simulator training significantly improved surgical performance and outcomes:
    • Live surgery was 6 minutes shorter on average in the SIM group vs. NO-SIM (115 ± 21 min vs. 121 ± 16 min, p = .04).
    • Pain scores ≥5/20 occurred in 1% of SIM group cats vs. 15% of NO-SIM group cats (p < .01).
    • Rescue analgesia was needed less frequently in the SIM group (5% vs. 15%, p = .03).
    • Student confidence was significantly higher in the SIM group (median 7/10 vs. 6/10, p < .01).
  • The simulator used a realistic abdominal model with friable tissues and required performance of a full OHE procedure.
  • The study design was nonrandomized, grouped by class year, with limitations including lack of blinding during pain assessment in year two.
  • Authors concluded that pre-lab simulator competency improves both animal welfare and student confidence, recommending it as a prerequisite for live surgical training.

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← Articles

Aly et al: Effect of surgical simulator training on student and live animal outcomes in a feline ovariohysterectomy teaching laboratory
Veterinary Surgery 6, 2024

🔍 Key Findings

  • This study evaluated whether high-fidelity surgical simulator training improved live animal and student outcomes in a feline OHE teaching lab involving 186 cats and 146 students.
  • Simulator training significantly improved surgical performance and outcomes:
    • Live surgery was 6 minutes shorter on average in the SIM group vs. NO-SIM (115 ± 21 min vs. 121 ± 16 min, p = .04).
    • Pain scores ≥5/20 occurred in 1% of SIM group cats vs. 15% of NO-SIM group cats (p < .01).
    • Rescue analgesia was needed less frequently in the SIM group (5% vs. 15%, p = .03).
    • Student confidence was significantly higher in the SIM group (median 7/10 vs. 6/10, p < .01).
  • The simulator used a realistic abdominal model with friable tissues and required performance of a full OHE procedure.
  • The study design was nonrandomized, grouped by class year, with limitations including lack of blinding during pain assessment in year two.
  • Authors concluded that pre-lab simulator competency improves both animal welfare and student confidence, recommending it as a prerequisite for live surgical training.

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Aly 2024 et al., on simulator training for feline OHE, what was the average surgical time difference between simulator-trained and non-trained students?

A. 1 minute
B. 3 minutes
C. 6 minutes
D. 9 minutes
E. 12 minutes

Answer: 6 minutes

Explanation: Simulator-trained students completed surgery 6 minutes faster on average (p = .04).
In Aly 2024 et al., on simulator training for feline OHE, how did simulator training affect postoperative pain scores?

A. No significant difference
B. Higher in trained group
C. Lower in trained group
D. Equal in both groups
E. Higher in both groups

Answer: Lower in trained group

Explanation: Cats in the SIM group had significantly lower rates of high pain scores triggering intervention (p < .01).
In Aly 2024 et al., on simulator training for feline OHE, what recommendation do the authors make regarding simulator training?

A. Only for advanced residents
B. No impact on outcomes
C. Should precede live animal surgery
D. Not suitable for OHE
E. Use only in academia

Answer: Should precede live animal surgery

Explanation: Authors recommend simulator competency as a prerequisite for live animal labs.
In Aly 2024 et al., on simulator training for feline OHE, what type of study design was used to evaluate simulator training?

A. Prospective randomized controlled trial
B. Retrospective case series
C. Nonrandomized controlled study
D. Crossover trial
E. Cohort study

Answer: Nonrandomized controlled study

Explanation: Students were grouped longitudinally by class year; the study was not randomized.
In Aly 2024 et al., on simulator training for feline OHE, what was the difference in incidence of rescue analgesia between groups?

A. 20% vs 5%
B. 10% vs 10%
C. 5% vs 15%
D. 0% vs 15%
E. 15% vs 15%

Answer: 5% vs 15%

Explanation: Rescue analgesia was administered less frequently in the SIM group (5%) than the NO-SIM group (15%) (p = .03).

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