BACKGROUND

To improve the quality of operations performed, a surgeon must begin to master basic surgical skills already at the pre-graduation stage. Of great importance is the independent development of basic skills using biological material, which is currently difficult to access, therefore it is advisable to use artificial models.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to search for and implement a model that can adequately replace biological material for performing primary manual surgical skills, imitating tactile sensations and accessible to students.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The results of the survey and the quality of the performed manual skill were analyzed in 186 students who in pairs (one is a surgeon, the other is an assistant) performed an incision and suture on 2 models: a silicone pad and a fruit (banana or orange at the student’s choice). The evaluation criteria were the quality of the incision and the quality of the completed seam.

RESULTS

An expert assessment found that a sign of a poorly executed fruit cut is a feeling of «failure» and the expiration of juice. The quality of the completed seam on all models was consistently high. The analysis of the survey results revealed that in 63.9% of cases, students preferred fruits. The choice is due to visibility (100%), the ability to feel the difference between the skin and the flesh with the tool — a sense of apodactyly (78%) and versatility (65.7%) is formed

CONCLUSIONS

A new model capable of replacing biological material — fruits (oranges or bananas), the choice is due to visibility, the ability to form a sense of apodactyly and versatility. The criteria for evaluating the student’s work are revealed: the quality of the incision and the completed seam, as well as the criterion of a poorly executed incision.