The Use of Models from Anatomical Simulators for Training Professional Skills in Intrauterine Myelomeningocele Correction by the Fetoscopic Technique: A Scope Review

Abstract

Fetal neurosurgery for MMC can be performed openly or fetoscopically. Anatomical simulators have been developed for the training of the fetoscopic technique of intrauterine myelomeningocele correction. This scoping review aimed to map the evidence available in the scientific literature about anatomical simulators models used for training the fetoscopic technique in intrauterine correction of myelomeningocele. The Study is a Scope Review, conducted according to the methodological recommendations of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Manual and six databases were consulted. The publications selected in this review include most of the publications in the Cochrane Library databases (889; 55.0%), followed by Web of Science (509; 31.5%) of the publications found and published between 2009 and 2024, with the majority in mid-2020. We found 10 studies of models of existing anatomical simulators used in professional training. It is considered, therefore, that the main advance of this series of studies consists not only in the defense of a single model or an isolated approach, but in the implicit proposal of a progressive training environment, ethical and progressive for MMC fetoscopic surgery. Many future challenges and developments will involve continuous improvements in the realism, safety and reuse of these models, along with evidence of their effectiveness in surgical training.