Journal of Surgical Simulation 2019; 6: 63 - 69

Published: 21 January 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1102/2051-7726.2019.0010

Original article

SimLife: face validation of a new dynamic simulated body model for surgical simulation

Jerome Danion, Elsa Oriot, Cyril Breque, Denis Oriot, Jean Pierre Richer and Jean Pierre Faure
Corresponding author: Jean Pierre Faure, ABS LAB, University Medical School of Poitiers, Bâtiment D1, rue de la Milétrie, TSA 51115 86073, Poitiers, Cedex 9, France. Email: jean.pierre.faure@univ-poitiers.fr

Abstract

Background: Surgical trainees face many barriers when learning anatomy and surgical techniques. Many teams describe the use of cadaveric simulators, and most of the time cadavers are used fresh or embalmed. These models, although realistic, are far from the physiological reality. For more realistic surgical training, we have proposed a dynamic cadaveric model mimicking an anaesthetized patient. Aim: A face validation study of SimLife, a new dynamic cadaveric simulated body model for acquisition of operative skills by simulation. The objectives of this study were to measure the realism of the model, the satisfaction of learners, and the ability of the model to facilitate a learning process.

Methods: Simulation training in surgery requires realism very close to that found in the operating room. This is what SimLife technology brings. It is based on a fresh body (frozen/thawed) donated to science, made dynamic with a pulsatile vascularization with simulated blood heated to 37ºC and ventilation in a patented technical module. This model allows performance of both open and laparoscopic surgical approaches.

Results: Surgical trainees (n = 103) from gastrointestinal, cardiothoracic, transplantation, gynaecology, and orthopaedic surgery departments were enrolled in this study. Based on their evaluation, the overall satisfaction of the cadaveric model was rated as 8.43, realism as 8.89, anatomic correspondence as 8.65 and the model’s ability to be a learning tool as 8.87.

Conclusion: The use of the SimLife model is a realistic surgical simulation model to train and objectively evaluate the performance of surgical trainees.

Keywords

surgical simulation; cadavers; reperfusion