Surgical dummy: A surrogate to live animal in teaching Veterinary Surgery

The objective of this study was to evaluate a non animal teaching model referred as surgical dummy, for teaching surgery, to novice veterinary students. Students’ confidence level and experience in surgical practice was evaluated via questionnaire. In addition student observation was done during the practices by the instructor. The results show that students who first practiced using the surgical dummy had better psychomotor and basic surgical skills. Comments made by the students were positive in relation to sensation of tissue during handling rated as natural. Their confidence increased during surgical procedure due to freedom from worry of consequences of surgical errors. Students had the opportunity to practice adlibitum as the dummy was economical and simple to make. The skill gained in the dummy was adaptable to live animal surgery and decreased the use of cadaver or live animal utilization.