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Warm-up on a simulator improves residents' performance in laparoscopic surgery: a randomized trial
Chi Chiung Grace Chen1, Isabel C Green, Jorie M Colbert-Getz
1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 4940 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA, cchen127@jhmi.edu.
International Urogynecology Journal
|April 12, 2013
Summary
Performing a brief laparoscopic simulator warm-up before surgery significantly improved gynecologic residents' intraoperative performance. This enhanced skill acquisition was observed in both minor and major procedures, regardless of resident experience level.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Education
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Gynecology
Background:
- Laparoscopic surgery requires specialized skills.
- Resident performance can vary based on preparation.
- Objective assessment of surgical training is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of immediate preoperative laparoscopic simulator warm-up on resident surgical performance.
- To determine if warm-up impacts performance in minor versus major gynecologic laparoscopic procedures.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial involving gynecologic residents performing laparoscopic cases.
- Intervention group performed standardized simulator exercises preoperatively.
- Intraoperative performance assessed using validated global rating scales by blinded faculty.
Main Results:
- Residents who performed warm-up exercises showed significantly higher ratings on all performance subscales.
- Performance improvement was consistent across minor (adnexal/tubal) and major (hysterectomy) procedures.
- Upper-level residents (PGY-3, 4) generally outperformed lower-level residents (PGY-1, 2).
Conclusions:
- A brief preoperative laparoscopic warm-up significantly enhances resident intraoperative performance.
- The benefits of warm-up are independent of surgical case difficulty.
- Residents perceived warm-up exercises as beneficial for their surgical outcomes.
