An early surgical training module for compartment pressure measurement

•This is the first reported compartment syndrome teaching module for junior residents.•We use a simulated synthetic model, previously unused for compartment syndrome.•Participants showed retained improvement in knowledge and technical proficiency.•This module has the potential for applicability across surgical training programs.

BackgroundWe test a novel simulated teaching module's ability to educate junior residents in the assessment of compartment syndrome (CS) and compartment pressure measurement (CPM).MethodsTwenty-two postgraduate year 1 and postgraduate year 2 surgical residents received a 2-hour didactic and practical teaching module on CS assessment and CPM using a simulated model. A structured teaching session by a postgraduate year 5 surgical resident was assessed by carefully constructed pretest, post-test, and delayed retention tests and a practical testing session by 2 board-certified general surgeons.ResultsAnalysis of variance demonstrated significant difference between pretest (6.1/10), post-test (7.9/10), and retention test (8.2/10) scores [F (2,49) = 9.24, P < .01], with no difference in post-test to retention test comparison (P = .90). Mean CPM scores were 8.5/10 for preparation, 9.0/10 for performance, and 8.5/10 for management components, which did not differ [F (2,57) = .46, P = .63].ConclusionsWe demonstrate an efficient simulated CS and CPM teaching module for the education of junior surgical residents using a synthetic model.