Prospective randomized controlled trial of simulator-based versus traditional in-surgery laparoscopic camera...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Minimally Invasive Surgery

Background:

• Surgical residents often lack prior camera navigation experience before operating room procedures.
• Computer-based simulators are increasingly adopted for surgical residency training.
• No prior randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have compared simulator vs. traditional operating room (OR) training for laparoscopic camera navigation skills.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness and efficiency of simulator-based training versus traditional operating room training for laparoscopic camera navigation skills.
• To evaluate skill transfer from a simulated environment to actual surgical procedures.

Main Methods:

• Prospective randomized controlled study involving 24 pre-graduation medical students with no prior camera navigation or simulator experience.
• Participants underwent baseline camera navigation testing in the OR.
• Randomization to either six simulator-based training sessions (SL group) or six traditional OR training sessions (OR group).
• Post-training camera navigation tests were video-recorded and rated by blinded experts.

Main Results:

• Both simulator-based (SL) and operating room (OR) training groups showed significant improvements in camera navigation time and correct organ visualization.
• Horizon alignment improved in both groups, though not reaching statistical significance.
• The SL group demonstrated significantly less overall training time (302 minutes) compared to the OR group (1002 minutes) while achieving comparable actual camera navigation time.

Conclusions:

• Simulator-based training effectively transfers laparoscopic camera navigation skills to the operating room.
• Simulator training is as effective as traditional hands-on training.
• Simulator training offers a more time-efficient approach to learning laparoscopic camera navigation skills.