title: A new simulator model for knee arthroscopy procedures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Arthroscopy is currently the "gold standard" for various surgeries performed on the knee joint. Therefore, surgeons wishing to operate in this professional field should be able to perform this technique. Arthroscopic training, an experimental laboratory, is important for the surgeons' training, enabling them to increase their skills with the specific instruments and to become familiar with the operating techniques. The aim of this study was to present a new surgical simulator for training in arthroscopic procedures of the knee.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Kneetrainer 1 is a simulator consisting of a type of thermo-retractile, thermo-sensitive synthetic rubber that has texture, colour, consistency, and mechanical resistance that mimic many human tissues. Nine simulators were used, operated by seventeen expert Brazilian surgeons in knee surgery. The surgeons performed arthroscopy, meniscectomy, and reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), responded to an electronic questionnaire with several variables, and gave an overall score on the ability of the device to perform realistic simulation for the above procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ability to perform the procedures of meniscectomy and ACL reconstruction was considered adequate by 82 and 100 % of the specialists, respectively. The overall scores for the ability to perform realistic simulation for the procedures meniscectomy and reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament by arthroscopy were 64.7 and 82.4 %, respectively. The simulator was therefore considered suitable for practical application with novice surgeons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Kneetrainer 1 simulator was assessed as an effective tool for recreating accurate arthroscopic knee procedures. In addition, the simulator may be effective as a means of honing the skills of novice surgeons. Future investigations should be performed to validate the reliability of the simulator.
  
  
  METHODS
  IV.
authors.affiliation: Scientific Innovation and Education Development Institute (SIEDI), Rua George Ohm 230. Torre B CJS 121 e 122 - Cidade Monções, São Paulo, SP, CEP: 04576-020, Brazil. peresluciano@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Luciano Rodrigo
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Peres
authors.affiliation: Scientific Innovation and Education Development Institute (SIEDI), Rua George Ohm 230. Torre B CJS 121 e 122 - Cidade Monções, São Paulo, SP, CEP: 04576-020, Brazil.
authors.forename: Wilson Mello Alves
authors.initials: WMA
authors.lastname: Junior
authors.affiliation: Scientific Innovation and Education Development Institute (SIEDI), Rua George Ohm 230. Torre B CJS 121 e 122 - Cidade Monções, São Paulo, SP, CEP: 04576-020, Brazil.
authors.forename: Giselle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coelho
authors.affiliation: Scientific Innovation and Education Development Institute (SIEDI), Rua George Ohm 230. Torre B CJS 121 e 122 - Cidade Monções, São Paulo, SP, CEP: 04576-020, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lyra
mesh_terms: D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / Q000193:education*; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000193:education*; D001938:Brazil; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D000074403:Meniscectomy; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D000066908:Simulation Training
keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament; Arthroscopy; Meniscectomy; Novice surgeons; Scientific validation; Simulation surgery