To become neurosurgeons, residents must encounter a variety of increasingly complex cases. In this context, simulation provides valuable support, allowing them to learn neurosurgical techniques in a safe and controlled environment. The European Association of Neurosurgical Societiespromote neurosurgical training by offering standardized learning methods.
For years, the Besta NeuroSim Center (BNSC) has collaborated with the Italian Society of Neurosurgery (SiNch), the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS), and international universities to conduct simulation sessions as part of training courses for young neurosurgeons from Italy, Europe, and many other countries worldwide.
During the EANS Training Courses held in Sofia (2016) and Vilnius (2017), the Besta NeuroSim Center conducted a neurosurgical simulation course that included 15 residents in Sofia (8 males and 7 females; PGY 4-6) and 20 in Vilnius (13 males and 7 females; PGY 4-6). The residents were required to perform a ventriculostomy on the ImmersiveTouch simulator, conduct intraoperative ultrasound with USim, clip an aneurysm using the Surgical Theater, and remove a meningioma with NeuroTouch. Additionally, each candidate underwent a series of assessments, including a personality test (16PF), a visuospatial reasoning test, a general intelligence test, a manual dexterity test (Pegboard), and a selective attention test (D2R).
In the future, the analysis of candidates' performance data from the simulator, combined with the results of psychometric assessments, will enable the creation of a detailed profile and a deeper understanding of how to achieve excellence in the field of neurosurgery.
