“Live surgery” as a modern and visual way of training medical specialists

BACKGROUND: The teaching of surgical skills is a complex and time-consuming process. From the time when surgery became the primary method of curing patients of diseases to the present day, the transfer of knowledge through direct participation in surgical interventions remains relevant. However, technically complex interventions, as well as those that carry a high risk of error, cannot always be allowed to be performed as a learning process. In such cases, the term “live surgery” becomes particularly relevant, as it refers to a demonstration surgery conducted in real time and broadcast on screens in a lecture-dialogue format [1]. This format is particularly valuable in the training of oncologists, whose patients initially face a number of intra- and postoperative surgical risks.

AIM: The aim of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy of live surgery as an effective tool for teaching surgical skills to physicians.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive synthesis of the literature data was conducted to justify the need to implement live surgery in the process of training physician specialists. In the course of writing the paper, studies reflecting various aspects of the process of training physicians in surgical skills using telecommunication technologies were analyzed.

RESULTS: In all the studies analyzed, the authors agree that the use of telecommunication technologies that facilitate live surgery sessions for the transfer of knowledge regarding operative techniques to specialists has educational value and presents an opportunity to present a list of practical skills necessary for surgical intervention in a visual and step-by-step manner [1–8]. C. T. Huerta et al. posit that live surgery broadcasts have a greater educational effect than similar manipulations presented by video recordings [2]. A significant number of authors engaged in the study of the potential applications of live surgery have sought to ascertain the safety of this procedure for the patient. The majority of these studies have demonstrated that live broadcasts do not result in an increased incidence of intra- and postoperative complications [1, 3–5], yet a few researchers have identified potential risks, which, when properly mitigated, can be effectively managed through the implementation of a set of rules for live surgery [6, 7]. Furthermore, it is important to obtain the patient’s consent to live surgical treatment prior to the event [7].

CONCLUSIONS: To summarize the above, live surgery can be considered an effective method for training medical specialists in surgical skills. Its use should become regular and technically practiced. At the same time, in order to avoid any potential harm to the patient's health, it is necessary to adhere to the clear rules of live surgery, having previously obtained the patient's informed consent to participate in this event.