Preliminary study of virtual reality and model simulation for learning laparoscopic suturing skills

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Medical Simulation

Background:

• Laparoscopic suturing and knot tying proficiency is crucial for reconstructive surgery.
• Developing effective training methods for novice surgeons is essential.
• Comparing traditional and simulation-based training modalities is important for surgical education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of a pelvic trainer versus a virtual reality simulator for learning laparoscopic suturing and knot tying.
• To evaluate the subsequent performance of porcine laparoscopic cystorrhaphy by medical students trained with these methods.
• To assess the user-friendliness of each training modality for novice surgeons.

Main Methods:

• 20 laparoscopically naive medical students received didactic and video training.
• Students were randomized to 2 hours of training on either a pelvic trainer (10) or a virtual reality simulator (10).
• Performance was assessed via porcine laparoscopic cystorrhaphy, evaluated by blinded expert surgeons using objective structured assessment of technical skills.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in cystorrhaphy time or technical skill scores between the pelvic trainer and virtual reality groups.
• Higher incidence of bladder leaks in the virtual reality group (60%) compared to the pelvic trainer group (30%).
• More virtual reality trainees found the session too short (p=0.04).

Conclusions:

• Both pelvic trainers and virtual reality simulators provide comparable proficiency in porcine laparoscopic cystorrhaphy for novice surgeons.
• Further training is required for clinical proficiency in both groups.
• Pelvic trainers may be more user-friendly for initial learning of laparoscopic skills.