Volume 18, Issue 2 (Summer & Autumn 2021)                   ASJ 2021, 18(2): 92-99 | Back to browse issues page

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Gopal V, Bhooshan L. The Feasibility of Using Playdough and Household Materials as an Educational Tool for Self-learning of Neurosurgical Anatomy During COVID-19 Lockdown. ASJ 2021; 18 (2) :92-99
URL: http://anatomyjournal.ir/article-1-290-en.html
1- Depatment of Neurosurgery, Government Medical College, Kerala, India.
2- Depatment of Plastic Surgery, Government Medical College, Kerala, India.
Abstract:   (1513 Views)
Introduction: Neurosurgical anatomy of the brain and spine was mastered by years of hard work practicing on cadavers, fresh frozen specimens, live animal models, and 3D models. But these methods are costly and raise legal issues. During the lockdown period, many of us were free having enough time, especially when operating rooms were very quiet. So we thought of learning neurosurgical anatomy using a cost-effective model made from homemade playdough and household items.
Methods: The playdough used for the study was made at home using maida flour and fabric colors with an anatomy atlas as guidance to mold anatomical structures on a template. Higher neurovascular training in vascular anastomosis was done and practiced on a beef blood vessel which is dissected out from cattle meat brought at home. The model was shown to residents and other faculties in the Department, and their opinions were analyzed by a feedback survey regarding the feasibility of the model as a self-learning tool.
Results: Pilot feedback surveys done on neurosurgeons and residents revealed a general satisfaction with the model, with 70% saying that it was a good technique for learning neurosurgical anatomy. About 83.3.% of them opined that this self-learning method would improve their 3D orientation of complex neurosurgical approaches compared to bookish learning alone. The model was perceived as very useful for teaching (94%) preoperative planning (95%) and provided realistic surgical anatomy (81%).
Conclusion: The present pilot study based on a questionnaire survey proposes a novel, cost-effective method to create a physiologically, anatomically, and tactile model for learning neurosurgical anatomy. This model also increased the haptic ability and surgical skills as hand modeling were also practiced. This study will be unique because the feasibility of the model was also assessed in the same research by a feedback survey making it a valid study. This method will surely help upgrade the knowledge of neuroanatomy, especially when the real opportunity for surgical training was restricted due to COVID-19 lockdown.
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Type of Study: Original | Subject: Neuroanatomy
Received: 2021/08/20 | Accepted: 2021/09/29 | Published: 2021/11/28

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