Costs and training results of an objectively validated cadaveric perfusion‐based internal carotid artery injury simulation during endoscopic skull base surgery

• Published in: International forum of allergy & rhinology Vol. 9; no. 7; pp. 787 - 794
• Main Authors: Donoho, Daniel A., Johnson, Cali E., Hur, Kevin T., Buchanan, Ian A., Fredrickson, Vance L., Minneti, Michael, Zada, Gabriel, Wrobel, Bozena B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-07-2019
• Subjects: Cadaver; Cadavers; Carotid arteries; Carotid artery; Carotid Artery Injuries - surgery; Carotid Artery, Internal - surgery; carotid injury; Costs; Costs and Cost Analysis; endonasal; Endoscopy; Endoscopy - education; Humans; internal carotid artery; Neurosurgical Procedures - education; Perfusion; pituitary; simulation; Simulation Training - economics; Skull Base - surgery; Success; Surgeons; Surgeons - education; Surgery; transsphenoidal; pituitary; carotid injury; endonasal; internal carotid artery; simulation; transsphenoidal
• ISSN: 2042-6976; 2042-6984
• DOI: 10.1002/alr.22319

Background
Internal carotid artery injury (ICAI) is a rare, life‐threatening complication of endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEAs). High‐fidelity simulation methods exist, but optimization of the training cohort, training paradigm, and costs of simulation training remain unknown.
Methods
Using our previously validated, high‐fidelity, perfused‐cadaver model, participants attempted to manage a simulated ICAI. After a brief instructional video and coaching, the simulation was repeated. Training success was defined as successful ICAI control on the second attempt after failure on the initial attempt. Marginal costs were measured.
Results
Seventy‐two surgeons participated in the standardized simulation, which lasted ≤15 minutes. The marginal cost of simulation was $275.00 per surgeon. A total of 44.4% (n = 32) succeeded on the first attempt before training (previously proficient); 44.4% (n = 32) failed the first attempt, but succeeded after training (training successes); and 11.1% (n = 8) failed both attempts. The cost per training success was $618.75. Forty‐two surgeons had never treated an ICAI, with 24 becoming training successes (57.1% overall, 82.8% when excluding previously proficient surgeons). Twenty‐nine had experienced a real or simulated ICAI, with 8 (27.6% overall, 72.7% excluding previously proficient surgeons) becoming training successes. The cost per training success was lowest in the ICAI‐naive group ($481.25) and highest among surgeons with simulated and real ICAI experience ($1650).
Conclusions
Surgeons can be trained to manage ICAI in a single, brief, low‐cost session. Although all groups improved, training an ICAI‐naive or resident cohort may maximize training results. A perfused‐cadaver model is a reproducible, realistic, and low‐cost method for training surgeons to manage life‐threatening ICAI during an EEA.