Effective use of simple computer programmes and clay models to demonstrate the planning and operative steps for teaching and presentations

• Main Authors: Rahul Krishnarao Patil, Gopal Malhotra, Venugopal Srinivasan, Ahmed Osama Abdul Hamid, Mahil Cherian, Ashok Raj Koul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc. 2016-05-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery
• Subjects: clay models in plasticine surgery; photography; presentations in plastic surgery; teaching and patient education; use of clay models for presentations
• Online Access: http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.4103/0970-0358.191329
• ISSN: 0970-0358; 1998-376X

Background: Presenting and demonstrating a surgical procedure in the current era is difficult without good intraoperative pictures and videos. A long, complex, multi-staged surgery is better illustrated by detailed intraoperative images at various stages. Although desirable, it may be difficult due to various reasons. Material and Methods: A simple method of preparing illustrations with pictures/diagrams created on PowerPoint and clay models to recreate the missing links in clinical photographs has been proposed. Results: It is a simple technique with a moderate learning curve. Once familiar with technique, one can effectively use the technique to convey the details in much more clear manner. Conclusion: It is a simple and effective way of communicating through digital images, and gives the audience a 3 dimensional idea about the concept.