The Thiel cadaveric model for pelvic floor surgery: Best rated in transferable simulation-based training for postgraduate studies

• Published in: European journal of obstetrics & gynecology and reproductive biology Vol. 256; pp. 165 - 171
• Main Authors: Soler-Silva, Álvaro, Sanchís-López, Antonio, Sánchez-Guillén, Luis, López-Rodríguez-Arias, Francisco, Gómez-Pérez, Luis, Quirós, María José Alcaide, Sánchez-Ferrer, María-Luisa, Escoriza, Juan Carlos Martínez, Muñoz-Duyos, Arantxa, Ramírez, José Manuel, Arroyo, Antonio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 01-01-2021
• Subjects: Anatomical knowledge; Cadaver; Cadaveric simulation; Embalming; Humans; Laparoscopic simulation; Pelvic Floor - surgery; Pelvic floor simulation; Perineal surgery; Prospective Studies; Simulation Training; Surgical simulation; Cadaveric simulation; Perineal surgery; Surgical simulation; Anatomical knowledge; Pelvic floor simulation; Laparoscopic simulation
• ISSN: 0301-2115; 1872-7654
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.11.023

•Thiel's cadaveric surgical simulation is one of the better realistic learning methods, accordinf to urogynecologist.•Surgical simulation is the best way to gain confidence, self-determination and precise surgical skills for performing pelvic floor and perineal surgery.•Due to the high difficulty of laparoscopic and perineal procedures and the improvement in student's skills, Thiel cadaveric simulation should be considered in training programs.
To determine whether the Thiel cadaveric model is better and more realistic than other surgical simulation techniques for learning pelvic floor and perineal surgical procedures according to the opinions of urogynecologists and surgeons participating in international postgraduate pelvic floor surgery courses using cadavers embalmed by the Thiel method.
An observational prospective study was performed in urogynecologists and surgeons attending international postgraduate pelvic floor and perineal surgery courses using cadavers embalmed by the Thiel method. A survey was completed by the participants after finishing the course. Based on the answers collected, we analyzed the differences, including in the satisfaction degree and teaching level for each surgical procedure, between different surgical simulation models that the participants had already used and the Thiel simulation method employed.
The students recognized that Thiel cadavers present more similarities to patients than other simulation methods. The Thiel cadaveric method was considered by most responders to be the best for the simulation of surgical procedures on the pelvic floor and perineum. Most of the surgeons surveyed recommended conducting these courses with Thiel cadavers for different colleagues in other specialties as a reliable simulation method for training for difficult surgical procedures.
Participants in the course on pelvic floor surgery in Thiel cadavers recognized that this is the most realistic model for surgical simulation and the best way to gain confidence, self-determination and precise surgical skills for performing pelvic floor and perineal surgery.