Research in Focus:

Development of an End-product Evaluation Tool for Assessment of Simulated Axillary Clearance

Authors: Keerthini Muthuswamy, Rebecca Fisher, Fotis Petrou, Stella Mavroveli, George Hanna, Dimitri Hadjiminas, Paul Thiruchelvam, Daniel Leff

Year: 2019

Journal: European Journal of Surgical Oncology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejso.2019.01.188

Alongside our high-fidelity simulation models, SiMPEDIA has internationally recognised expertise in delivering robust technical skills assessment, in line with established surgical quality assurance protocols .This “Research in Focus” article highlights a novel approach to objective assessment in axillary clearance. With declining exposure to axillary clearance in clinical practice due to treatment de-escalation, simulation offers an essential route for maintaining surgical competence in complex axillary procedures.

This study outlines the creation and validation of a novel end-product assessment tool, applied to resection specimens following simulated axillary clearance using SiMPEDIA’s high fidelity breast simulator. The performances of 30 surgeons (10 consultants, 11 senior residents, and 9 junior residents) were blindly evaluated to determine the tool’s effectiveness in measuring procedural competence.

Key Takeaways

  • Construct Validity: The assessment tool successfully distinguished between low- and high-experience surgeons (experts and trainees scored significantly higher than novices).
  • Lymph Node Harvest: Lymph node harvest was significantly greater among experts and trainees than novices (p < 0.01), supporting the tool’s ability to reflect clinical performance.
  • Assessment Tool Innovation: This is the first validated tool to assess end-product quality in simulated axillary clearance, setting a precedent for future competency-based surgical assessment.

Relevance to SiMPEDIA

The ability to objectively measure lymph node harvest and specimen quality positions SiMPEDIA at the forefront of evidence-based surgical education. Where clinical exposure declines, simulators with proven assessment capabilities, like those developed by SiMPEDIA, will be essential to maintaining patient safety and surgical confidence.

This study reinforces the value of SiMPEDIA’s high-fidelity breast simulator as not only a training tool but also a platform for validated performance assessment. By integrating validated technical skills assessment frameworks alongside our high-fidelity simulators, SiMPEDIA enhances its offering to training institutions, surgical educators and credentialing bodies.