Prospective randomized controlled trial of laparoscopic trainers for basic laparoscopic skills acquisition

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Medical Simulation

Background:

• Laparoscopic surgery demands distinct skills compared to open procedures.
• Acquiring fundamental laparoscopic skills is crucial for novice learners.
• This study investigated optimal training methods for basic laparoscopic skills.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test if combined virtual reality (VR) and box training enhances laparoscopic skill acquisition more than individual methods or no training.
• To evaluate the efficacy of different preclinical laparoscopic training modalities.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial was conducted with preclinical medical students lacking prior operative experience.
• Participants were assigned to four groups: VR training, box training, combined VR and box training, or a control group (no training).
• Skill acquisition was assessed using pre- and post-training scores in a porcine laboratory setting.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were observed in pre-training scores across all groups.
• Post-training skill performance varied significantly among the four training groups.
• Students trained with both VR and box trainers showed statistically significant improvements compared to the control group.

Conclusions:

• The combination of virtual reality and inanimate box training yields superior basic laparoscopic skill acquisition compared to single-modality training or no training.
• Integrating both VR and box trainers is recommended for optimal preclinical laparoscopic skill development.