Laparoscopic skills maintenance: a randomized trial of virtual reality and box trainer simulators
Date
2014
Authors
Khan, M.
Lin, D.
Marlow, N.
Altree, M.
Babidge, W.
Field, J.
Hewett, P.
Maddern, G.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Journal of Surgical Education, 2014; 71(1):79-84
Statement of Responsibility
Montaha W.Khan, Diwei Lin, Nicholas Marlow, Meryl Altree, Wendy Babidge, John Field, Peter Hewett and Guy Maddern
Conference Name
Abstract
Objective: A number of simulators have been developed to teach surgical trainees the basic skills required to effectively perform laparoscopic surgery; however, consideration needs to be given to how well the skills taught by these simulators are maintained over time. This study compared the maintenance of laparoscopic skills learned using box trainer and virtual reality simulators.
Design: Participants were randomly allocated to be trained and assessed using either the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) simulator or the Surgical Science virtual reality simulator. Once participants achieved a predetermined level of proficiency, they were assessed 1, 3, and 6 months later. At each assessment, participants were given 2 practice attempts and assessed on their third attempt.
Setting: The study was conducted through the Simulated Surgical Skills Program that was held at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Adelaide, Australia.
Results: Overall, 26 participants (13 per group) completed the training and all follow-up assessments. There were no significant differences between simulation-trained cohorts for age, gender, training level, and the number of surgeries previously performed, observed, or assisted. Scores for the FLS-trained participants did not significantly change over the follow-up period. Scores for LapSim-trained participants significantly deteriorated at the first 2 follow-up points (1 and 3 months) (p < 0.050), but returned to be near initial levels by the final follow-up (6 months).
Conclusions: This research showed that basic laparoscopic skills learned using the FLS simulator were maintained more consistently than those learned on the LapSim simulator. However, by the final follow-up, both simulator-trained cohorts had skill levels that were not significantly different to those at proficiency after the initial training period.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Access Status
Rights
© 2014 Association of Program Directors in Surgery