Training for single port video assisted thoracoscopic surgery lung resections

Area of Science:

• Thoracic Surgery
• Surgical Education

Background:

• Surgical training programs face reduced time, challenging skill acquisition for complex procedures like video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lung resections.
• Increasing use of single-port operations necessitates advanced hand-eye coordination for surgical trainees.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline methods for trainees to develop essential surgical skills for VATS lung resections.
• To address the challenges posed by reduced training time in surgical education.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing computer games with changing horizons and orientations to enhance spatial awareness.
• Practicing with thoracoscopic instruments using box-trainers.
• Studying the function of critical surgical tools like staplers.
• Observing expert surgeons' technical and non-technical skills during operations.

Main Results:

• Trainees can proactively develop necessary hand-eye coordination and instrument proficiency.
• Structured practice and observation facilitate progression from assisting to performing VATS procedures.
• Sustained implementation of learned techniques is crucial for surgical skill mastery.

Conclusions:

• Pre-operative skill development using simulations and focused learning is vital for VATS competency.
• Observational learning and hands-on practice are key components of effective surgical training.
• Mastery in VATS lung resections requires dedicated practice and skill refinement over time.