Evaluation of arthroscopic training using a porcine knee model.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of arthroscopic skills training.

METHODS: A routine diagnostic arthroscopic exercise using a porcine knee was performed. A checklist of 10 tasks was used in the training and the time taken to complete the checklist was evaluated, and the Arthroscopic Surgery Skill Evaluation Tool (ASSET) score was used to score the training and evaluate the practice session. A total of 14 residents attended this training, including five first- and second-year residents, five third- and fourth-year residents, and four orthopedic fellows. The ASSET score and time taken to complete the task checklist were evaluated, and the first and third practice sessions were scored to evaluate the effectiveness of the training.

RESULTS: The mean ASSET score improved from 21.8 in the first practice session to 24.9 in the third session ( p < 0.001); the time taken to complete the task checklist decreased from 242 s in the first practice session to 207.5 s in the third session ( p < 0.001). The ASSET score and the time taken to complete the task improved in all groups between the first and third practice sessions. The degree of improvement in the ASSET score and the time taken to complete the task checklist between the first and third practice sessions in each group were not statistically different among the groups ( p = 0.857, p = 0.263, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Porcine knees provide good material for residents and young orthopedic surgeons for teaching and training of arthroscopic surgical techniques.