Simulation Training in Fracture Surgery

Surgical simulation is changing how orthopaedic trainees learn fracture surgery. In this episode, we break down a review by Marchand and colleagues, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in 2020, on simulation training in fracture surgery. We start with why the traditional apprenticeship model is under pressure from work hour limits and cost constraints. Then we walk through the four main simulation modalities: composite bone models, virtual reality, cognitive task analysis, and cadaver specimens. We look at the evidence that simulator practice improves proficiency and transfers to real surgery, most clearly for hip fracture fixation with the dynamic hip screw. We cover the barriers too, including that twenty five percent of US programs lack simulation facilities and eighty seven percent of directors cite funding. Finally, we discuss why simulation must sit inside a formal curriculum alongside didactic teaching, never as a replacement for mentorship. Simulation Training in Fracture SurgeryMarchand LS, Sciadini MF · Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2020https://doi.org/10.5435/JAAOS-D-20-00076 Want our summary slides for every paper? Follow us on Instagram: @dr.polotrauma