Gauging the Optimal Simulator Complexity for Learning Cleft Lip Repair: A Cost-Benefit Analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Simulation is valuable for surgical education. The popularity of high-fidelity cleft lip simulation has grown, yet cost limits widespread use. To address this, we developed a reduced-complexity prototype that preserves essential anatomy (skin/soft tissue and orbicularis oris muscle) but omits advanced features found in a previous trainer (nasal cartilages and skeleton). To evaluate the effect of simulator complexity, a hybrid retrospective-prospective cohort study compared trainees' self-assessed improvement using both the new lower complexity simulator (LCS) and its higher complexity simulator (HCS) predecessor.

Methods

Residents' and fellows' self-assessed knowledge and confidence in specific aspects of cleft lip repair were compared pre- and postsimulation usin

SUBMITTER: Stanek K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12487915 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature