GlobalSurgBox: A portable surgical simulator for general surgery trainees

Introduction The GlobalSurgBox was designed as a novel, portable, and modular surgical trainer. Methods Thirty general surgery residents from an academic medical center were instructed on how to perform two different vascular anastomoses using the GlobalSurgBox. Participants were sent an anonymized survey evaluating its practicality and helpfulness. Results Despite access to institutional simulation resources, only 3.3% of residents stated they used these resources routinely, with the most commonly reported barriers including lack of convenient access (73.3%) and lack of time (70.0%). After using the GlobalSurgBox, only 10.0% of residents reported lack of convenient access as a continued barrier to using the trainer. All participants stated the GlobalSurgBox encouraged more practice outside the operating room and better prepared them for clinical settings. Conclusions The GlobalSurgBox eliminates many of the stated barriers to currently available simulators by providing a portable, affordable, and realistic way to practice skills needed in the operating room.