Three-step model course to teach intracorporeal laparoscopic suturing.

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Minimally Invasive Surgery

Background:

• Laparoscopic surgery demands proficiency in intracorporeal suturing and knotting.
• A specialized training course was developed to enhance laparoscopic suturing techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an effective, specialized training course for laparoscopic suturing.
• To evaluate the efficacy of a novel training method for intracorporeal suturing.

Main Methods:

• A 5-day course combined theoretical and practical sessions using inanimate pelvic models.
• The 'gladiator rule' method taught intracorporeal suturing with varied hand and access techniques.
• Pre- and post-course assessments measured depth perception, coordination, dexterity, traction, and posture.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in coordination (P=.001), dexterity (P=.000), traction power (P=.002), and posture (P=.003).
• Men demonstrated superior coordination, dexterity, and traction power compared to women.
• 72.5% of participants applied intracorporeal sutures in vivo following the course.

Conclusions:

• The 5-day course effectively teaches laparoscopic suturing techniques.
• The 'gladiator rule' provides a reproducible method for teaching intracorporeal knotting.
• The training program enables most participants to successfully perform laparoscopic suturing in clinical settings.