A Hybrid Reality Radiation-Free Simulator for Teaching Wire Navigation Skills.

Objectives: Surgical simulation is an increasingly important method to facilitate the acquiring of surgical skills. Simulation can be helpful in developing hip fracture fixation skills because it is a common procedure for which performance can be objectively assessed [ie, the tip-apex distance (TAD)]. The procedure requires fluoroscopic guidance to drill a wire along an osseous trajectory to a precise position within bone.

A review of the role of simulation in developing and assessing orthopaedic surgical skills.

Orthopaedic surgical skill is traditionally acquired during training in an apprenticeship model that has been largely unchanged for nearly 100 years. However, increased pressure for operating room efficiency, a focus on patient safety, work hour restrictions, and a movement towards competency-based education are changing the traditional paradigm. Surgical simulation has the potential to help address these changes.