Educational needs of the EAES young surgeons.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical residency programs are facing ongoing challenges since the pandemic. The Young Member (YM) Task Force of the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) has been created to support surgical residents and surgeons under 40, promoting activities that could be useful for young surgeons and to improve networking between members of different countries. This project aimed to explore educational needs among European surgical residents to inform the EAES curriculum for young surgeons. METHODS: Within the EAES surgical society, the YM developed a survey to capture residents' views on their professional needs. Different aspects were considered, from demographic information to the major topics of interest on a professional side. Semi-automatic answers and personal suggestions have been gathered and considered for the analysis. RESULTS: Data were captured from 386 respondents across 57 different countries, major responders were represented by the group of 31-35 years old (40%). Considering professional growth, young surgeons rely on scientific research (56%), but they struggle finding adequate support of facilities. In the education and training section, fellowships and hands-on-courses (27%) were the most proficient activities. Mentorships and webinars were important to develop leadership, as well as social events to build up a professional network. CONCLUSION: This project has identified young surgeons' educational and professional needs that can inform the EAES future projects and activities.

Value of 3D printing for the comprehension of surgical anatomy.

BACKGROUND: In a preliminary experience, we claimed the potential value of 3D printing technology for pre-operative counseling and surgical planning. However, no objective analysis has ever assessed its additional benefit in transferring anatomical information from radiology to final users. We decided to validate the pre-operative use of 3D-printed anatomical models in patients with solid organs' diseases as a new tool to deliver morphological information. METHODS: Fifteen patients scheduled for laparoscopic splenectomy, nephrectomy, or pancreatectomy were selected and, for each, a full-size 3D virtual anatomical object was reconstructed from a contrast-enhanced MDCT (Multiple Detector Computed Tomography) and then prototyped using a 3D printer. After having carefully evaluated-in a random sequence-conventional contrast MDCT scans, virtual 3D reconstructions on a flat monitor, and 3D-printed models of the same anatomy for each selected case, thirty subjects with different expertise in radiological imaging (10 medical students, 10 surgeons and 10 radiologists) were administered a multiple-item questionnaire. Crucial issues for the anatomical understanding and the pre-operative planning of the scheduled procedure were addressed. RESULTS: The visual and tactile inspection of 3D models allowed the best anatomical understanding, with faster and clearer comprehension of the surgical anatomy. As expected, less experienced medical students perceived the highest benefit (53.9% ± 4.14 of correct answers with 3D-printed models, compared to 53.4 % ± 4.6 with virtual models and 45.5% ± 4.6 with MDCT), followed by surgeons and radiologists. The average time spent by participants in 3D model assessing was shorter (60.67 ± 25.5 s) than the one of the corresponding virtual 3D reconstruction (70.8 ± 28.18 s) or conventional MDCT scan (127.04 ± 35.91 s). CONCLUSIONS: 3D-printed models help to transfer complex anatomical information to clinicians, resulting useful in the pre-operative planning, for intra-operative navigation and for surgical training purposes.

From CT scanning to 3-D printing technology for the preoperative planning in laparoscopic splenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional printing technology is rapidly changing the way we produce all sort of objects, having also included medical applications. We embarked in a pilot study to assess the value of patient-specific 3-D physical manufacturing of spleno-pancreatic anatomy in helping during patient's counseling and for preoperative planning. METHODS: Twelve patients scheduled for a laparoscopic splenectomy underwent contrast CT and subsequent post-processing to create virtual 3-D models of the target anatomy, and 3-D printing of the relative solid objects. The printing process, its cost and encountered problems were monitored and recorded. Patients were asked to rate the value of 3-D objects on a 1-5 scale in facilitating their understanding of the proposed procedure. Also 10 surgical residents were required to evaluate the perceived extra value of 3-D printing in the preoperative planning process. RESULTS: The post-processing analysis required an average of 2; 20 h was needed to physically print each model and 4 additional hours to finalize each object. The cost for the material employed for each object was around 300 euros. Ten patients gave a score of 5, two a score of 4. Six residents gave a score of 5, four a score of 4. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional printing is helpful in understanding complex anatomy for educational purposes at all levels. Cost and working time to produce good quality objects are still considerable.