Impact of a Vascular Neurosurgery Simulation-Based Course on Cognitive Knowledge and Technical Skills in European Neurosurgical Trainees

Objective To assess microsurgical and diagnostic cerebral angiography modules and their corresponding objective assessment scales as educational tools for European neurosurgical residents at the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies Resident Vascular Neurosurgery course, which was held in Prague, Czech Republic, on September 2013. Microsurgical skills and cerebral angiography are fundamental skills in vascular neurosurgery. There is a need to develop a simulation-based curriculum focusing on these skills for neurosurgical trainees worldwide. Methods The course consisted of 2 modules: microanastomosis and diagnostic cerebral angiography. In addition to an initial screening survey, each module was divided into 3 components: 1) a before didactic cognitive knowledge and technical skills testing, 2) a didactic lecture, and 3) an after didactic cognitive knowledge and technical skills testing. We compared the trainees' cognitive and technical scores from the before and after testing phases. Wilcoxon sum rank test was used to test statistical significance. Results The knowledge test median scores increased from 63% and 68% to 80% and 88% (P < 0.01) on the microanastomosis and cerebral angiography modules, respectively. The practical hands-on simulation assessment median scores increased from 42% and 50% to 50.5% and 68% (P < 0.01) on the microanastomosis and cerebral angiography modules, respectively. Conclusions Our course suggests that a simulation-based vascular neurosurgery curriculum is feasible and may enhance resident knowledge and technical proficiency.