• Marcelo Magaldi Oliveira, Audrey Beatriz Araujo, Arthur Nicolato, Andre Prosdocimi, Joao Victor Godinho, Ana Luiza Martins Valle, Marcilea Santos, Augusto Barbosa Reis, Mauro Tostes Ferreira, Abulrahman Sabbagh, Sebastiao Gusmao, and Rolando Del Maestro.
• *Microsurgical Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; ‡Neurosurgical Simulation Research and Training Centre, Department of Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; §Surgical Skills Centre, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; ¶National Neuroscience Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• Neurosurgery. 2015 Sep 22.

BackgroundBrain tumors are complex 3-dimensional lesions. Their resection involves training and the use of the multiple microsurgical techniques available for removal. Simulation models, with haptic and visual realism, may be useful for improving the bimanual technical skills of neurosurgical residents and neurosurgeons, potentially decreasing surgical errors and thus improving patient outcomes.ObjectiveTo describe and assess an ex vivo placental model for brain tumor microsurgery using a simulation tool in neurosurgical psychomotor teaching and assessment.MethodsSixteen human placentas were used in this research project. Intravascular blood remnants were removed by continuous saline solution irrigation of the 2 placental arteries and placental vein. Brain tumors were simulated using silicone injections in the placental stroma. Eight neurosurgeons and 8 neurosurgical residents carried out the resection of simulated tumors using the same surgical instruments and bimanual microsurgical techniques used to perform human brain tumor operations. Face and content validity was assessed using a subjective evaluation based on a 5-point Likert scale. Construct validity was assessed by analyzing the surgical performance of the neurosurgeon and resident groups.ResultsThe placenta model simulated brain tumor surgical procedures with high fidelity. Results showed face and content validity. Construct validity was demonstrated by statistically different surgical performances among the evaluated groups.ConclusionHuman placentas are useful haptic models to simulate brain tumor microsurgical removal. Results using this model demonstrate face, content, and construct validity.AbbreviationVR, virtual reality.

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