Introduction

In recent years, CTA has been an effective training adjunct for orthopaedic procedures. ACLR is a complex procedure with a steep learning curve.

Aim

To design a multimedia CTA learning tool for ACLR using a modified Delphi methodology.

Methodology:

CTA generation: A modified Delphi method was used to generate a list of Technical Steps (TS), Decision Points (DP) and errors/solutions for an ACLR that was approved by an expert consensus amongst four, fellowship-trained knee surgeons. A technical workflow was designed to generate the audio-visual tool.

Pilot study: 30 novice trainees were granted access to the CTA tool and then performed the ACLR in a cadaveric simulation workshop. A 5-point Likert scale aimed to qualitatively assess if the CTA was useful to their learning.

Results:

CTA generation: 156 TS and 79 DP were included for an ACLR procedure which was divided into 7 phases. The audio-visual component was combined with the written tool to design the final CTA tool.

Pilot study: 95% of trainees suggested the CTA tool would be useful before carrying out an ACLR in the operating theatre. They agreed it made their ACLR learning more effective.

Conclusion:

We have designed a novel and easily accessible CTA tool to standardise teaching of ACLR surgery. Novice surgeons verify the value of the CTA as an adjunct to their apprenticeship training.

Future work: A Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) is currently being planned to evaluate whether there are any objective benefits of this CTA to train surgeons performing an ACLR.