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Coronary Anastomosis Simulation: Directed Interventions to Optimize Success.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Anand, J; Doberne, J; Wojnarski, CM; Smith, PK; Zwischenberger, BA
Published in: Ann Thorac Surg
June 2021

BACKGROUND: The role of simulation-based training in coronary artery bypass grafting remains undefined. Barriers to simulator use include clinical and personal obligations, insufficient materials, and lack of mentorship. The purpose of this study was to implement a longitudinal, residency-wide coronary anastomosis simulation curriculum. METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted from 2018 to 2019 at a single academic center. All residents of the Thoracic Surgery training program participated. Each participant was provided a low-fidelity coronary anastomosis simulator, high-quality instruments, and faculty mentor. Formal assessments were held quarterly, and residents were encouraged to practice alone and with their mentor. Baseline and follow-up metrics were compared with simple descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Seventeen residents and 12 faculty participated in the study. Residents demonstrated increased use of the simulator, with 21% participating in independent practice at baseline and 82% in the fourth quarter (P = .02). The median score on the Thoracic Surgery Directors Association Vessel Anastomosis Assessment improved from 42 out of 65 at baseline to 54 out of 65 in the fourth quarter (P = .04), and mean anastomosis time was reduced by 5 minutes 6 seconds (P = .02). Over 12 months, junior residents demonstrated a mean reduction in anastomosis time of 6 minutes 36 seconds, and senior residents decreased anastomosis time by 3 minutes 6 seconds (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Providing residents with a low-fidelity coronary anastomosis trainer with high-quality instruments and a faculty mentor improved rates of independent practice, Thoracic Surgery Directors Association assessment scores, and anastomosis time. Our next step is validating the coronary simulator curriculum by measuring improvement of resident performance in the operating room.

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Published In

Ann Thorac Surg

DOI

EISSN

1552-6259

Publication Date

June 2021

Volume

111

Issue

6

Start / End Page

2072 / 2077

Location

Netherlands

Related Subject Headings

  • Thoracic Surgery
  • Simulation Training
  • Respiratory System
  • Prospective Studies
  • Internship and Residency
  • Humans
  • Curriculum
  • Coronary Artery Bypass
  • Clinical Competence
  • Anastomosis, Surgical
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Anand, J., Doberne, J., Wojnarski, C. M., Smith, P. K., & Zwischenberger, B. A. (2021). Coronary Anastomosis Simulation: Directed Interventions to Optimize Success. Ann Thorac Surg, 111(6), 2072–2077. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.2020.06.099
Anand, Jatin, Julie Doberne, Charles M. Wojnarski, Peter K. Smith, and Brittany A. Zwischenberger. “Coronary Anastomosis Simulation: Directed Interventions to Optimize Success.Ann Thorac Surg 111, no. 6 (June 2021): 2072–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.2020.06.099.
Anand J, Doberne J, Wojnarski CM, Smith PK, Zwischenberger BA. Coronary Anastomosis Simulation: Directed Interventions to Optimize Success. Ann Thorac Surg. 2021 Jun;111(6):2072–7.
Anand, Jatin, et al. “Coronary Anastomosis Simulation: Directed Interventions to Optimize Success.Ann Thorac Surg, vol. 111, no. 6, June 2021, pp. 2072–77. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2020.06.099.
Anand J, Doberne J, Wojnarski CM, Smith PK, Zwischenberger BA. Coronary Anastomosis Simulation: Directed Interventions to Optimize Success. Ann Thorac Surg. 2021 Jun;111(6):2072–2077.
Journal cover image

Published In

Ann Thorac Surg

DOI

EISSN

1552-6259

Publication Date

June 2021

Volume

111

Issue

6

Start / End Page

2072 / 2077

Location

Netherlands

Related Subject Headings

  • Thoracic Surgery
  • Simulation Training
  • Respiratory System
  • Prospective Studies
  • Internship and Residency
  • Humans
  • Curriculum
  • Coronary Artery Bypass
  • Clinical Competence
  • Anastomosis, Surgical