Educational Status of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

 

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Abstract

Introduction The objective of this study was to understand how spine surgeons learn minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) and how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the educational experience of MISS. Potential solutions for increasing the spine surgeon's access to MISS educational resources were also discussed.

Methods An internet survey was distributed to neurosurgical and orthopedic spine surgeons across multiple online platforms from April to June 2021, asking specific questions about education and training for MISS. Online survey tools were used to contact spine surgeons in the five geographical continents.

Results A total of 303 spine surgeons responded to the survey: 272 (89.7%) neurosurgeons and 31 (10.3%) orthopedic surgeons. The six countries with the greatest number of participants were: Argentina (n = 70; 23.1%), India (n = 47; 15.5%), Brazil (n = 34; 11.2%), Pakistan (n = 10; 3.3%), Mexico (n = 9; 3.0%), and Chile (n = 8; 2.6%).

Conclusion Most spine surgeons were able to attend virtual learning events during the pandemic, but cadaveric study was still considered the gold standard for learning MISS. Multidisciplinary effort is needed to develop structured curriculums for teaching MISS that include a variety of educational tools such as cadaver laboratory, guidance from experienced surgeons, and virtual demonstrations.

Resumo

Introdução O objetivo desse estudo foi entender como os cirurgiões de coluna aprendem técnicas minimamente invasivas e como a pandemia de COVID-19 impactou essa atividade. Soluções em potencial para aumentar o acesso a ferramentas educacionais de cirurgia minimamente invasiva são discutidas.

Métodos Uma pesquisa realizada na internet para neurocirurgiões e ortopedistas em múltiplas plataformas on-line de abril a junho de 2021, perguntando especificamente questões sobre o estado educacional e de treinamento em cirurgia minimamente invasiva de coluna. Plataformas online específicas foram utilizadas para alcançar cirurgiões de coluna nos cinco continentes geográficos.

Resultados Um total de 303 cirurgiões de coluna responderam à pesquisa: 272 (89,7%) neurocirurgiões e 31 (10,3%) ortopedistas. Os seis países com os maiores números de respostas foram: Argentina (n = 70; 23,1%); Índia (n = 47; 15,5%); Brasil (n = 34; 11,2%), Paquistão (n = 10, 3,3%), México (n = 9; 3,0%) e Chile (n = 8; 2,6%).

Conclusão A maioria dos respondentes foi capaz de frequentar cursos online durante a pandemia, porém cursos cadavéricos ainda são considerados o padrão-ouro para o aprendizado de técnicas minimamente invasivas. Um esforço multidisciplinar será necessário para desenvolver um currículo estruturado que inclua uma variedade de ferramentas educacionais como laboratório cadáver, tutoria por pares mais experientes e demonstrações virtuais.

Financial Support

No funding was necessary for this study.

Publication History

Received: 13 March 2022

Accepted: 21 June 2022

Article published online:
06 October 2023

© 2023. Sociedade Brasileira de Neurocirurgia. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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