This study compared a cost-effective, in-house 3D-printed simulator against a commercial training model for teaching a specific surgical procedure called LLETZ. The research involved 60 medical students with no prior experience and 10 gynecology residents who had some prior exposure. Participants practiced using the simulators, and their performance was measured using blinded video assessments and standardized scoring systems.
The results showed that the in-house simulator led to larger improvements in scores over five attempts compared to the conventional model. By the third and fourth attempts, the in-house simulator achieved higher rates of complete resections and better overall performance scores. Participants also reported higher confidence and perceived educational value when using the in-house device.
No adverse events or safety concerns were reported during the training sessions. While the study design supports a causal link between the simulator type and performance improvement, readers should note that the research was limited to one hospital. The findings suggest that such simulators could help improve training and potentially reduce patient risk, but more research is needed to confirm these results in broader settings.