Validation of a Chicken Wing Training Model for Endoscopic Microsurgical Dissection

Objectives/HypothesisTo determine if training with a chicken wing model improves performance of endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) with microvascular dissection. Study DesignRandomized experimental study. MethodsA single-blinded randomized clinical trial of trainees with various levels of endoscopic experience was conducted to determine if prior training on a nonhuman model augments endoscopic skill and efficiency in a surrogate model for live surgery. Medical students, residents, and fellows were randomized to two groups: a control group that performed an endoscopic transantral internal maxillary artery dissection on a silicone-injected anatomical specimen, and an interventional group that underwent microvascular dissection training on a chicken wing model prior to performing the anatomic dissection on the cadaver specimen. Time to completion and quality of dissection were measured. ResultsA Mann-Whitney test demonstrated a significant improvement in time and quality outcomes respectively across all interventional groups, with the greatest improvements seen in participants with less endoscopic experience: medical students (P=.032, P=.008), residents and fellows (P=.016, P=.032). ConclusionsPrior training on the chicken wing model improves surgical performance in a surrogate model for live EES.