Assessment of a new kind of surgical simulator. The physical surgical simulator

To evaluate whether the use of the physical surgical simulator may benefit the development of laparoscopic skills.

Ten medical students were divided into two groups: the first one performed ten weekly training sessions with a physical surgical simulator - ETX A2 LAP and, afterwards, one laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a porcine model, while the second group performed only a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Both groups were compared regarding bleeding, total surgical time, time to perform each surgical step and qualitative parameters, based on a previously validated tool.

There was no difference in any of the evaluated parameters.

We did not find any evidence of benefit in the use of the physical simulator for surgical performance in medical students.