Robert A. Pedowitz

Current and Future Use of Surgical Skills Training Laboratories in Orthopaedic Resident Education: A National Survey

BACKGROUND Acquisition of surgical skills through laboratory-based training and simulation is appealing to surgical training programs. The purpose of this study was to provide baseline information on the current use of surgical skills training laboratories in orthopaedic resident education and to determine the interest in expansion of these facilities and training techniques. METHODS The creation of the survey was a collaborative effort between the authors and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Two online versions of the Surgical Skills Simulation survey were created, one (with twenty-three items) specifically for program directors and one (with fourteen items) for orthopaedic residents. The survey was sent via e-mail to 185 program directors and 4549 residents. Data were retrieved and analyzed by the AAOS Department of Research and Scientific Affairs. RESULTS Eighty-six (46%) of the 185 surveys distributed to orthopaedic surgery residency directors and 687 (15%) of the 4549 distributed to orthopaedic surgery residents were completed. Seventy-six percent of the program directors reported having a surgical skills laboratory, and 46% of these reported having a structured surgical skills laboratory curriculum. Fifty-eight percent of program directors and 83% of residents believed that surgical skill improvement by orthopaedic residents was not being objectively measured. Both 80% of program directors and 86% of residents agreed that surgical skills simulations should become a required part of training, and 82% and 76% were interested in a standardized surgical skills curriculum. Eighty-seven percent of program directors identified a lack of available funding as the most substantial barrier to development of a formal surgical skills program at their institution. CONCLUSIONS There was strong agreement among both program directors and residents that surgical skills laboratories and simulation technology should be a required component of orthopaedic resident training. At the present time, the most substantial barrier to adoption of surgical skills laboratories and a formalized surgical skills curriculum is the lack of funding.

Objective Preoperative Measurement of Anterior Glenoid Bone Loss: A Pilot Study of a Computer-Based Method Using Unilateral 3-Dimensional Computed Tomography

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of unilateral computed tomography (CT) measurement of glenoid surface area, based on the typically circular geometry of the inferior glenoid. METHODS This study used 3-dimensional shoulder CT scans before reconstruction for anterior instability. The en face CT views of the normal and abnormal glenoids were randomized and evaluated by 3 independent observers (2 experienced shoulder surgeons and 1 medical student). ImageJ (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD) was used to overlay a perfect circle that was fit to the glenoid. The anterior aspect of the circle was then adjusted to match the true anatomic contour of the anterior glenoid. This adjusted region was used to determine the percentage of the perfect circle occupied by the glenoid, which we defined as the anatomic glenoid index (AGI). RESULTS For the 23 normal shoulders, the AGI reflected a nearly perfect fit of the circle, with very high consistency and reliability among the 3 observers. Overall, mean AGI for the normal shoulders was 100.5%, with an SD of 2.2%. For the 12 shoulders that underwent Bankart repair, the overall AGI was 92.1% ± 5.2%, and 9 of 12 patients had an AGI below the threshold of 96.1%. For the 11 shoulders that underwent Latarjet reconstruction, the overall AGI was 89.6% ± 4.7%. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms that the normal inferior glenoid surface is a nearly perfect circle with remarkably low variability. This observation allows for determination of a tight reference range that can be applied to clinical analysis of unilateral CT reconstructions of symptomatic shoulders. This pilot study evaluates a simple and reliable method for determination of the AGI, creating an anatomic preoperative description of bone loss. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Metric Development for an Arthroscopic Bankart Procedure: Assessment of Face and Content Validity

PURPOSE To establish the metrics (operational definitions) necessary to characterize a reference arthroscopic Bankart procedure, and to seek consensus from experienced shoulder arthroscopists on the appropriateness of the steps, as well as errors identified. METHODS Three experienced arthroscopic shoulder surgeons and an experimental psychologist (comprising the Metrics Group) deconstructed an arthroscopic Bankart procedure. Fourteen full-length videos were analyzed to identify the essential steps and potential errors. Sentinel (i.e., more serious) errors were defined as either (1) potentially jeopardizing the procedure outcome or (2) creating iatrogenic damage to the shoulder. The metrics were stress tested for clarity and the ability to be scored in binary fashion during a video review as either occurring or not occurring. The metrics were subjected to analysis by a panel of 27 experienced arthroscopic shoulder surgeons to obtain face and content validity using a modified Delphi Panel methodology (consensus opinion of experienced surgeons rendered by cyclical deliberations). RESULTS Forty-five steps and 13 phases characterizing an arthroscopic Bankart procedure were identified. Seventy-seven procedural errors were specified, with 20 designated as sentinel errors. The modified Delphi Panel deliberation created the following changes: 2 metrics were deleted, 1 was added, and 5 were modified. Consensus on the resulting Bankart metrics was obtained and face and content validity verified. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms that a core group of experienced arthroscopic surgeons is able to perform task deconstruction of an arthroscopic Bankart repair and create unambiguous step and error definitions (metrics) that accurately characterize the essential components of the procedure. Analysis and revision by a larger panel of experienced arthroscopists were able to validate the Bankart metrics. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The ability to perform task deconstruction and validate the resulting metrics will play a key role in improving surgical skills training and assessing trainee progression toward proficiency.

Fundamental Arthroscopic Skill Differentiation With Virtual Reality Simulation

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the use and validity of virtual reality modules as part of the educational approach to mastering arthroscopy in a safe environment by assessing the ability to distinguish between experience levels. Additionally, the study aimed to evaluate whether experts have greater ambidexterity than do novices. METHODS Three virtual reality modules (Swemac/Augmented Reality Systems, Linkoping, Sweden) were created to test fundamental arthroscopic skills. Thirty participants-10 experts consisting of faculty, 10 intermediate participants consisting of orthopaedic residents, and 10 novices consisting of medical students-performed each exercise. Steady and Telescope was designed to train centering and image stability. Steady and Probe was designed to train basic triangulation. Track and Moving Target was designed to train coordinated motions of arthroscope and probe. Metrics reflecting speed, accuracy, and efficiency of motion were used to measure construct validity. RESULTS Steady and Probe and Track a Moving Target both exhibited construct validity, with better performance by experts and intermediate participants than by novices (P < .05), whereas Steady and Telescope did not show validity. There was an overall trend toward better ambidexterity as a function of greater surgical experience, with experts consistently more proficient than novices throughout all 3 modules. CONCLUSIONS This study represents a new way to assess basic arthroscopy skills using virtual reality modules developed through task deconstruction. Participants with the most arthroscopic experience performed better and were more consistent than novices on all 3 virtual reality modules. Greater arthroscopic experience correlates with more symmetry of ambidextrous performance. However, further adjustment of the modules may better simulate fundamental arthroscopic skills and discriminate between experience levels. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Arthroscopy training is a critical element of orthopaedic surgery resident training. Developing techniques to safely and effectively train these skills is critical for patient safety and resident education.

Comparison of Mechanical Stability in Double-Row Rotator Cuff Repairs Between a Knotless Transtendon Construct Versus the Addition of Medial Knots

PURPOSE Our purpose was to investigate the importance of medial-row knot tying to mechanical stability in a double-row rotator cuff repair by comparing a knotless construct with transtendon anchor passage versus a similar construct implementing medial knots. METHODS A standard defect was created in the infraspinatus tendons of 14 bovine humeri. All defects were repaired with 2 medial and 2 lateral anchors (SutureCross System; KFx Medical, Carlsbad, CA). The medial anchors were either placed by transtendon passage in a knotless construct or placed directly into bone with needle passage of suture to create bursal-sided knots medially. Constructs were subjected to a cyclic loading protocol and then loaded to failure. RESULTS The medially knotted constructs had a statistically higher stiffness at both the initial and final cycles (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively) and a lower displacement during cyclic loading (P < .02). There were strong trends toward decreased gauge displacement (P = .12) and decreased cycles to 3 mm of displacement (P = .07) in the medially knotted group. Maximal yield strength was greater in the medially knotted group (350 +/- 270 N v 650 +/- 530 N), although this was not found to be statistically significant (P = .5). CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that creation of medial knots increases construct stiffness and stability in arthroscopic double-row cuff repair. This is likely because of increased load transfer to the lateral anchor and suture-tendon interface in the knotless construct. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Medial knots create increased mechanical stability that theoretically may improve rotator cuff healing. This mechanical advantage must be weighed against surgical efficiency, with consideration given to factors such as tissue quality.

Best practices across surgical specialties relating to simulation-based training

INTRODUCTION Simulation-based training is playing an increasingly important role in surgery. However, there is insufficient discussion among the surgical specialties regarding how simulation may best be leveraged for training. There is much to be learned from one another as we all strive to meet new requirements within the context of Undergraduate Medical Education, Graduate Medical Education, and Continuing Medical Education. METHOD To address this need, a panel was convened at the 6th Annual Meeting of the Consortium of the American College of Surgeons-Accredited Education Institutes consisting of key leaders in the field of simulation from 4 surgical subspecialties, namely, general surgery, orthopedic surgery, cardiothoracic surgery, urology, and otolaryngology. CONCLUSION An overview of how the 5 surgical specialties are using simulation-based training to meet a wide array of educational needs for all levels of learners is presented.

Rehabilitation of biceps tendon disorders in athletes.

The diagnosis and management of an active patient with biceps disease can be challenging for the treating physician. A careful review of the function, anatomy, and pathology of biceps in conjunction with a thorough, knowledgeable history and physical examination can yield a working diagnosis in this challenging patient population. The physician must also be aware of the physiology of postsurgical repair and advocate appropriate rehabilitation activities that correlate with the timeline of secure tissue healing. This article focuses on nonsurgical rehabilitation and postoperative rehabilitation of biceps tendon injuries.

Retention of skills after simulation-based training in orthopaedic surgery

Simulation-based surgical skills training has become essential in orthopaedic practice because of concerns about patient safety and an increase in technically challenging procedures. Surgical skills training in specifically designed simulation laboratories allows practice of procedures in a risk-free environment before they are performed in the operating room. The transferability of acquired skills to performance with patients is the most effective measure of the predictive validity of simulation-based training. Retention of the skills transferred to clinical situations is also critical. However, evidence of simulation-based skill retention in the orthopaedic literature is limited, and concerns about sustainability exist. Solutions for skill decay include repeated practice of the tasks learned on simulators and reinforcement of areas that are sensitive to decline. Further research is required to determine the retention rates of surgical skills acquired in simulation-based training as well as the success of proposed solutions for skill decay.

Editorial Commentary: Improving Proficiency in Arthroscopic Knot Tying: Focus on Performance Over Appearance

Arthroscopic knot tying is a challenging motor skill that is best learned at the benchtop, before surgery on patients. Recent studies suggest that these skills can be improved by direct assessment of knot biomechanics, providing the learner with immediate and objective feedback. To optimize proficiency at arthroscopic knot tying, we focus on performance over appearance.

Suture spanning augmentation of single-row rotator cuff repair: a biomechanical analysis

BACKGROUND This in vitro study evaluated the biomechanical benefit of adding spanning sutures to single-row rotator cuff repair. METHODS Mechanical testing was performed to evaluate 9 pairs of cadaveric shoulders with complete rotator cuff repairs, with a single-row technique used on one side and the suture spanning technique on the other. The spanning technique included sutures from 2 lateral anchors securing tendon near the musculotendinous junction, spanning the same anchor placement from single-row repair. The supraspinatus muscle was loaded to 100 N at 0.25 Hz for 100 cycles, followed by a ramp to failure. Markers and a video tracking system measured anterior and posterior gap formation across the repair at 25-cycle intervals. The force at which the stiffness decreased by 50% and 75% was determined. Data were compared using paired t-tests. RESULTS One single-row repair failed at <25 cycles. Both anterior and posterior gap distances tended to be 1 to 2 mm larger for the single-row repairs than for the suture spanning technique. The difference was statistically significant at all cycles for the posterior gap formation (P ≤ .02). The trends were not significant for the anterior gap (P ≥ .13). The loads at which the stiffness decreased by 50% and 75% did not differ significantly between the 2 types of repair (P ≥ .10). CONCLUSIONS The suture spanning technique primarily improved posterior gap formation. Decreased posterior gap formation could reduce failure rates for rotator cuff repair.