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Background: Effective teaching of surgical skills remains a challenge in medical education. The student simulation laboratory SimLab uses existing teaching methods to further expand practical surgical training at the medical school and to provide students with a comprehensive learning platform that facilitates entry into internships and medical residency training. In addition, SimLab enables 3D printing for preoperative planning and simulation of clinical conditions, such as complex fractures and congenital malformations, to optimize preoperative training through clinical collaborations.

Aim/research question: To evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the SimLab approach on surgical education and on students' motivation to pursue a surgical career, as well as its clinical impact, in order to derive recommendations for the establishment of further simulation laboratories.

Methodology: The SimLab offers various training modules, from basic laparoscopic techniques to complex surgical simulations that use peer teaching, 3D printing, and digital reconstruction. For this purpose, models are created using existing CT data and refined with design software. The expertise of the clinical cooperation partners is incorporated into every prototype of this process. The evaluation is based on questionnaire-based feedback from students and on objective parameters such as duration, speed, knot strength and eye-tracking while training.

Results: More than 150 students have participated in SimLab courses, significantly improved their surgical skills, and expressed a high level of satisfaction and feasibility of the models. Positive feedback emphasized the simulation-based learning environment and standards of instruction. Preoperative prints are used in the clinical setting to enhance preoperative visualization during consultations.

Relevance: SimLab provides an ethically responsible and cost-effective model for surgical education. Improving the safety and efficiency of surgical procedures by better preparing trainee specialists could make a significant contribution to patient care.

Conclusions: The results support the integration of simulation exercises into medical curricula to make surgical training more effective and to promote interest in surgical specialties.