The effect of 2 peg sleeve designs on test scores for the laparoscopic peg transfer task

The objective of this study was to determine how the use of 2 different peg sleeve designs would affect the scores of the peg transfer task in laparoscopic skills testing. A total of 22 participants were divided into 3 skill levels: inexperienced (DVM candidates), intermediate (ACVS residents), and expert laparoscopic surgeons (ACVS diplomates). All participants carried out the peg sleeve transfer task using 2 designs of peg sleeves on the same pegboard. The skills test was done in a laparoscopic trainer box using laparoscopic instruments. Participants were randomly assigned to the order in which the peg sleeve designs were tested. The score was based on time taken and errors made and was compared between peg transfers, while controlling for the skill level of the participant. Although no difference was detected between scores obtained using the 2 peg sleeve designs, a warm-up effect, i.e., a higher score on the second run, was detected across all experience levels in this study population. It was concluded that the 2 sleeve designs appeared to have a minimal impact on the score for the task.