Comparative Analysis of Cadaveric and Synthetic Models in Surgical Simulation Training

Surgical simulation has become an essential component of modern medicaltraining, offering a safe environment for skill acquisition. Cadaveric and syntheticmodels are two widely used modalities, each with distinct advantages andlimitations. This study evaluates their effectiveness in surgical skill acquisition,retention, and trainee confidence. A mixed-methods approach was employed,involving 60 surgical residents randomized into cadaveric (n=30) and syntheticmodel (n=30) training groups. Performance was assessed using the ObjectiveStructured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) and Likert-scale confidencesurveys. Results indicated that cadaveric models provided superior anatomicalrealism (p < 0.01), while synthetic models offered better cost-efficiency andreusability (p < 0.05). Both modalities significantly improved technical skills (p <0.001), with no significant difference in long-term retention (p = 0.12). Thesefindings suggest that a hybrid training approach may optimize surgical education.