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Simulation as tool for evaluating and improving technical skills in laparoscopic gynecological surgery
Paolo Mannella1, Elisa Malacarne2, Andrea Giannini2
1Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, 56126, Pisa, Italy. paolo.mannella@unipi.it.
BMC Surgery
|October 18, 2019
Summary
Laparoscopic surgery simulation effectively evaluates and improves surgical skills. Trainees
Area of Science:
- Surgical Education
- Medical Simulation
- Laparoscopic Surgery
Background:
- Simulation is recognized for surgical training but its role in evaluating basic skills is debated.
- Current methods for assessing surgical competency require further validation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a laparoscopic surgery simulation program for skill assessment.
- To determine if simulation can serve as a tool for self-assessment of surgical skills.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-three obstetrics and gynecology residents performed 5 basic laparoscopic surgery tasks.
- Participants were evaluated using a modified Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) scale.
- Skills assessed included pneumoperitoneum, trocar placement, hand dexterity, and knot tying.
Main Results:
- Senior trainees scored higher than junior trainees (p<0.005).
- Simulation training significantly improved scores for all residents, particularly juniors (p<0.001).
- Trainees' self-assessments aligned with external evaluations, indicating simulation's utility for auto-evaluation.
Conclusions:
- Simulation is a powerful tool for evaluating and self-assessing surgical technical skills.
- A modified OSATS scale effectively assessed skills in specific laparoscopic exercises.
- Simulation training demonstrably improves surgical capacities.
