How Origami Crane Training Can Improve Your Surgical Skills

If you think origami is just a fun and relaxing hobby, think again. For some surgeons, folding paper cranes can be a serious training tool to enhance their skills and performance in the operating room.

origami crane training improve surgical skills, Photo by defense.gov, CC LICENSES

Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, has been around for centuries and has many applications in science, engineering, and design. But did you know that origami can also help surgeons improve their hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and dexterity?

That’s the idea behind origami crane training, a novel method of practicing surgical skills using laparoscopic clamps. Laparoscopic surgery, also known as minimally invasive surgery, involves making small incisions and inserting a camera and instruments through them to perform various procedures. Laparoscopic surgery has many benefits, such as less pain, bleeding, and scarring, shorter hospital stay, and faster recovery. However, it also poses many challenges, such as limited vision, reduced tactile feedback, and complex manipulation of the instruments.

To overcome these challenges, surgeons need to master the fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery (FLS), which include basic tasks such as suturing, ligation, cutting, and knot tying. These tasks require precise and delicate movements, as well as the ability to cope with stress and frustration. However, traditional methods of training, such as using simulators, models, or animals, can be expensive, time-consuming, and ethically questionable.

That’s where origami crane training comes in. The origami crane is a traditional and symbolic shape that represents peace and longevity. It is also a challenging shape to create with surgical instruments, as it requires multiple folds, twists, and bends. By practicing origami crane training, surgeons can enhance their dexterity, accuracy, and speed, as well as their mental and emotional state.

The study found that practicing origami crane folding with laparoscopic clamps positively correlated with FLS task performance in a recent Journal of Surgical Education study. Thirty medical students participated, split into two groups: one received the crane training, while the other did not. Subsequently, both groups underwent FLS skill assessments using a standardized simulator.

The results showed that the origami crane training group had significantly higher scores on the FLS tasks than the control group, especially on the suturing and ligation task. The origami crane training group also reported higher levels of confidence, satisfaction, and enjoyment, and lower levels of anxiety, boredom, and frustration.

The study concluded that origami crane training is a feasible, effective, and enjoyable way to improve surgical skills and prepare for complex procedures. The study also suggested that origami crane training can be used as a supplement or alternative to other methods of training, as it is low-cost, easy to access, and environmentally friendly.

Training benefits both surgeons and patients, leading to better outcomes, fewer complications, and lower costs. It is a creative and enjoyable way to improve surgical skills.

Origami crane training is a fascinating topic that showcases the skill and creativity of surgeons. If you have any questions or comments about origami crane training, feel free to share them with us. We would love to hear from you.