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Training the novice in laparoscopy. More challenge is better
1Department of Surgery, Medical College of Virginia, 1200 East Broad Street, West Hospital, Floor 15, P.O. Box 980519, Richmond, VA 23298, USA. alimr@hsc.vcu.edu
Background:
Virtual reality simulation is effective in training the novice to perform basic laparoscopic skills.
Methods:
Using the Minimally Invasive Surgery Training--Virtual Reality (MIST-VR) trainer, 27 honors high school students were tested at the easy level, prospectively randomized to eight training sessions at the easy (group A, n = 14) or medium (group B, n = 13) level, then retested at the easy level.
Results:
Both groups were statistically similar at baseline. All scores improved significantly (50.1% to 81.3%) over the period of training (p < 0.05). Although the group A scores were significantly better than the group B scores throughout training (p < 0.05), on final testing at the easy level, group B surpassed group A for all the tasks except TransferPlace (p = 0.054).
Conclusions:
Virtual simulation is an effective laparoscopic training method for the novice, providing significant improvement in skill levels over a relatively short period. More challenging training seems to predict greater improvement over time and better final skill levels.
