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Impact of laparoscopy simulator training on the technical skills of future surgeons in the operating room: a
Laura Beyer1, Jérémie De Troyer, Julien Mancini
1CERC (Centre d'Enseignement et de Recherche Chirurgicale) Faculté de Médecine de Marseille Secteur Nord, Université de la Méditerranée, Boulevard Pierre Dramard, 13916 Marseille, France. laura.beyer@ap-hm.fr
Background:
The efficacy of laparoscopy simulators remains controversial.
Methods:
This was a comparative prospective study that evaluated the impact of simulator training on technical competence during a real surgical procedure. Residents were divided into 3 groups: the Mcgill Inanimate System for Training and Evaluation of Laparoscopic Skills (MISTELS) group, training on a simple simulator; LAP Mentor group, training on a virtual simulator; and control group. An initial evaluation was made by a validated score during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Each resident was then trained for 1 month. A second evaluation was then performed.
Results:
Before/after scores were significantly improved in the MISTELS (P = .042) and LAP Mentor (P = .026) groups. It was not the case in the control group. There was a better progression in the MISTELS (P = .026) and LAP Mentor (P = .007) groups than in the control group. There was no significant difference between the MISTELS and LAP Mentor groups.
Conclusions:
Simulator training provides a more rapid acquisition of competence in surgical technique.
