Research in Focus:

Validation of an Oncoplastic Breast Simulator for Assessment of Technical skills in Wide Local Excision

Authors: D R Leff, G Petrou, S Mavroveli, M Bersihand, D Cocker, R Al-Mufti, D J Hadjiminas, A Darzi, G B Hanna

Year: 2016

Journal: British Journal of Surgery

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/bjs.9970

For this “Research in Focus” post, we will be exploring our original breast model ‘Lily’, on which a wide local excision, wire guided excision, mastectomy axillary clearance and sentinel lymph node biopsy can be performed.

This study presents the design and validation of Lily, a high-fidelity oncoplastic breast simulator designed and developed by SiMPEDIA. Thirty-four surgeons (12 consultant surgeons, 12 specialty trainees and 10 core trainees) performed a standardised wide local excision procedure on the synthetic simulator, and their performances were blindly assessed through video review using procedure-specific rating scales and radiographic analysis.

Key Takeaways

  • Construct validity: The simulator effectively distinguishes between different levels of surgical experience based on global technical performance scores, supporting its use for training and assessment.
  • Specimen weight trends support simulator sensitivity: Senior surgeons tended to excise larger tissue volumes, indicating the simulator can reflect procedural nuances tied to expertise.
  • Challenges: The inability of the simulator to differentiate surgeon experience based on margin clearance highlights a limitation and suggests room for enhancement in replicating clinical outcomes.

Relevance to SiMPEDIA

This abstract supports the effectiveness of Lily, a high-fidelity oncoplastic breast simulator to support training and assessment. It demonstrates the simulators’ ability to reflect specific procedural nuances such as resection volume, linked to clinical experience of the surgeon.

This reinforces the critical role procedure-specific, validated simulators can play in specialties where clinical exposure is limited. Lily exemplifies SiMPEDIA’s commitment to evidence-based design, aligning innovation with the real-world training needs of our clients and surgical training pathways.

SiMPEDIA continues to support the surgical community with realistic, curriculum-aligned simulators that empower safe, structured learning and valid assessment.