Training for endoscopic surgical procedures should be performed in the dissection room: a randomized study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Anatomy
• Laparoscopic Surgery Training

Background:

• Laparoscopic surgery requires a specialized learning curve.
• The AnubiFiX™ embalming technique allows for dissection-based training on human specimens.
• This study investigates novel methods for surgical anatomy education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare dissection-based anatomy education with classical classroom instruction.
• To evaluate the short-term and long-term effectiveness of laparoscopic surgical training methods.
• To assess the impact of the AnubiFiX™ technique on anatomy education.

Main Methods:

• 112 medical students were randomized into three groups: classroom education, laparoscopic dissection-based education, and a combined approach.
• Anatomy tests were administered before, immediately after, and 3 weeks post-training.
• The AnubiFiX™ technique was utilized for dissection-based training.

Main Results:

• Students in dissection-based groups (II and III) significantly outperformed the classroom group (I) immediately after training (p < 0.001).
• This performance advantage persisted at the 3-week follow-up (p < 0.001).
• No significant difference was observed between the dissection-only and combined groups.

Conclusions:

• The AnubiFiX™ technique facilitates effective laparoscopic anatomy education using human specimens.
• Dissection-based anatomy education yields superior short-term and long-term outcomes compared to traditional classroom methods.
• This approach enhances surgical training and anatomical knowledge acquisition.