Basic laparoscopic surgical training: examination of a low-cost alternative

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Simulation
• Minimally Invasive Surgery

Background:

• Laparoscopy training requires specialized, costly video-laparoscopy equipment, limiting access to "dry lab" facilities.
• Cost-effective alternatives are needed to supplement traditional surgical skills training.
• Basic laparoscopic skills are foundational for many surgical procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a low-cost cardboard box training model versus conventional video-laparoscopy for basic laparoscopy training.
• To compare performance metrics including accuracy, timing, and depth perception.
• To determine if the cardboard box model is a viable alternative for surgical simulation.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, blinded study involving 36 third-year medical students with no prior surgical skills.
• Two training groups: conventional video-laparoscopy pelvic trainer (Group A) and a modified cardboard box (Group B).
• Eight 24-hour training sessions followed by blinded assessment on both training models.

Main Results:

• No significant performance differences were observed between groups when assessed on the cardboard box.
• The cardboard box-trained group demonstrated significantly faster task completion times on the video trainer, with comparable scores.
• Accuracy and depth perception were similar across groups on both assessment tools.

Conclusions:

• A simple, inexpensive cardboard box model is an effective alternative for basic laparoscopic skills training.
• This low-cost method can be utilized alongside expensive video-laparoscopy equipment.
• The cardboard box model provides a cost-effective solution to enhance access to surgical simulation training.