Virtual reality training improves simulated laparoscopic surgery performance in laparoscopy naïve medical students

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Surgical Education
• Medical Simulation

Background:

• Laparoscopic surgery is increasingly common in urology.
• Effective and safe training methods are essential.
• Virtual reality (VR) simulators offer potential for surgical training but require validation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate if training on the LAP Mentor VR simulator improves performance in virtual laparoscopic procedures.
• To assess the impact of VR simulation on surgical skill acquisition in novices.

Main Methods:

• 32 inexperienced students performed baseline and post-training virtual cholecystectomies.
• Students were scored using the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS).
• One group received six 30-minute training sessions on the LAP Mentor; the control group did not train.

Main Results:

• Trained students (Group 1) showed significantly higher OSATS scores post-training compared to the control group (Group 2) (27.9 vs. 17.6, P<0.001).
• The trained group improved scores by over 20% in all OSATS categories.
• Untrained students only improved in "knowledge of procedure" (25%, P=0.03).

Conclusions:

• Skills training using the LAP Mentor VR simulator enhances virtual surgical performance.
• The LAP Mentor shows promise for surgical resident education.
• Further validation studies are needed to confirm predictive and construct validity.