Eye removal is a required competency for UK ophthalmic trainees, but can be a difficult area in which to gain real-life experience. We tested feasibility, acceptability and face validity of a porcine simulation for teaching and OSATS assessment of ophthalmic trainees on ocular evisceration.

Seven trainees participated in the wetlab, supervised by three consultants. After an introductory presentation on eye removal indications and techniques by an oculoplastic consultant, trainees worked in pairs to perform an evisceration each. Commercially available disposable instrument packs were used. Fresh pig’s heads were bisected sagittally. The eyes’ tough nictitating membranes were removed and stay sutures used to improve exposure. A marble was used as a simulated implant delivered via a glove finger introducer. The wetlab cost around fifty pounds per participant, although instruments can be reused in future sessions. Three senior trainees were assessed using the OSATS tool. All participants completed feedback questionnaires.

Every trainee completed an evisceration. All trainees rated the simulation as useful for understanding the technique and improving their confidence in performing the procedure. Some differences were noted between the porcine model and human patients, particularly difficulty in completely removing the uvea, but face validity was rated highly by those with real patient experience. Consultant assessors felt able to evaluate trainees effectively.

A pigs’ head wetlab is a feasible method for teaching evisceration, which trainees valued highly, and provides a practical method to complete a core assessment in the ophthalmic training e-portfolio.