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A laparoscopic simulator tool for objective measurement of residents' laparoscopic ability
Rebecca Bell1, Priya Maseelall, James Fanning
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Summa Health System, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of medciine, Akron, OH 44309, USA.
Objective:
We sought to develop an objective measurement of residents' laparoscopic ability by using a laparoscopic simulator assessment tool.
Methods:
An inexpensive laparoscopic simulator was developed. Three laparoscopic assessment procedures were created: 1) bead/pom-pom drop, 2) checkerboard drill, and 3) bead manipulation. Two minimally invasive surgeons and 8 PGY 3/4 and 15 PGY 1 residents were timed performing the 3 procedures. Ten of the PGY 1 residents were retested at the end of their PGY 1 year.
Results:
The minimally invasive surgeons completed the laparoscopic drills in approximately half the time of the PGY 3/4 (P=0.02), and PGY 3/4 were 60% faster than PGY 1 (P=0.01). PGY 1 completed the drills in half the time at the end of the PGY 1 year (P=0.005). As an objective measurement of residents' laparoscopic surgery competency, by the completion of the academic year, all PGY 1 residents must be able to complete the drills as fast as or faster than the original PGY 3/4 times.
Conclusion:
We developed an inexpensive, objective, simple laparoscopic simulator assessment tool for measurement of residents' laparoscopic ability.
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