Preliminary Assessment of an Integrated Cadaver-Based and Patient-Specific Simulation Pathway for Total Hip Arthroplasty Training

Introduction: The demand for structured training in orthopaedic surgery, particularly in total hip arthroplasty (THA), is increasing. Cadaver labs provide valuable experience for surgical access and anatomical exposure; however, the availability of specimens with predefined pathological features, such as dysplastic hip anatomy, is limited and difficult to standardize. This study presents a preliminary assessment of an integrated curriculum combining cadaver-based practice and patient-specific phantom simulation for task-oriented THA training. Methods: The curriculum included theoretical lessons, cadaver lab practice, and phantom-based training. The phantom models were developed from CT data of a patient with severe hip dysplasia and designed to reproduce selected anatomical and procedural challenges. Eight novice trainees and three expert tutors completed a multidomain 5-point Likert questionnaire assessing realism, face and content validity, perceived usefulness, and the complementary role of cadaver- and phantom-based sessions. Results: Participants reported high satisfaction and perceived the integrated pathway as useful. Cadaver training was rated higher for surgical access realism, whereas phantom simulation was considered valuable for rehearsing pathology-specific tasks involving altered femoral and acetabular anatomy. Conclusions: Integrating patient-specific phantoms into cadaver-based THA training appears feasible and was perceived as educationally valuable, adding a reproducible, pathology-specific simulation component and supporting future assessment strategies with objective performance metrics.