Lapsim

BACKGROUND: The societies of thoracic surgery are working to incorporate simulation and competency-based assessment into specialty training. One challenge is the development of a simulation-based test, which can be used as an assessment tool. The study objective was to establish validity evidence for a virtual reality simulator test of a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy of a right upper lobe. METHODS: Participants with varying experience in VATS lobectomy were included...

INTRODUCTION: Definitive assessment of laparoscopic skill improvement after virtual reality simulator training is best obtained during an actual operation. However, this is impossible in medical students. Therefore, we developed an alternative assessment technique using an augmented reality simulator. METHODS: Nineteen medical students completed a 6-week training program using a virtual reality simulator (LapSim). The pretest and post-test were performed using an object-positioning module and cholecystectomy on an augmented reality simulator(ProMIS)...

BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether fasting has any impact on surgical performance. This simulator-based study investigates whether fasting affects surgical performance. METHODS: Twelve healthy medical students [seven women, mean age 26.5 years (range 23-34)] with no prior experience with surgical simulators underwent a short course introduction to the LapSim(®) simulator. After having reached a predefined level, the participants performed five simulated salpingectomies on the LapSim(®) simulator 5-30 days after the initial introduction...

OBJECTIVE: Assessing the predictive validity of the LapSim simulator within a urology residency program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve urology residents at McGill University were enrolled in the study between June 2008 and December 2011. The residents had weekly training on the LapSim that consisted of 3 tasks (cutting, clip-applying, and lifting and grasping). They underwent monthly assessment of their LapSim performance using total time, tissue damage and path length among other parameters as surrogates for their economy of movement and respect for tissue...

BACKGROUND: Simulation is playing an increasingly important role in surgical education. There are a number of laparoscopic simulators of which the design and tasks vary considerably. It is unknown if any particular type may result in better outcomes for a specific population. This study assesses the predictors of acquisition of basic surgical skills on two different laparoscopic simulators. METHODS: Participants (n = 370) were randomized to be trained and assessed using either a fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery (FLS) or a LapSim (Surgical Science, Goteborg, Sweden) simulator...

BACKGROUND: Surgical training is moving away from the operating room toward simulation-based skills training facilities. This has led to the development of proficiency-based training courses in which expert performance data are used for feedback and assessment. However, few expert value data sets have been published, and no standard method for generating expert values has been adopted by the field. METHODS: To investigate the effect of different proficiency value data sets on simulator training courses, we (1) compared 2 published expert performance data sets for the LapSim laparoscopic virtual-reality simulator (by van Dongen et al...

INTRODUCTION: Urology training programs seek to identify ideal candidates with the potential to become competent urologic surgeons. It is unclear whether innate technical ability has a role in this selection process. We aimed to determine whether there are any innate differences in baseline urologic technical skills among medical students. METHODS: Second-year medical students from the University of Toronto were recruited for this study and stratified into surgical and non-surgical cohorts based on their reported career aspirations...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether basic laparoscopic skills acquired via structured spaced training on a box trainer persist after 6 months. METHODS: In a prospective study undertaken at the Ege University School of Medicine (Izmir, Turkey) between January 1, 2012, and June 1, 2013, 22 gynecology residents without previous laparoscopy experience were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive training with a box trainer (1 hour per week for 4 weeks) or to a control group...

BACKGROUND: Instructor feedback reduces the number of repetitions and time to reach proficiency during laparoscopic simulator training. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of instructor feedback on long-term skill retention. METHODS: A 6-month follow-up of a randomized trial. Participants were surgical novices (medical students). All participants (n = 99) initially practiced a laparoscopic salpingectomy on the LapSim virtual reality simulator to proficiency...

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the validity of high-fidelity and low-fidelity simulators in a selection center environment, using measures of construct and concurrent validity. METHODS: A total of 46 novice and expert participants were tested on both the low-fidelity Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) box trainer and the high fidelity, Lapsim, virtual reality laparoscopic simulator. Outcome scores and performance metrics where recorded...

OBJECTIVE: Box model trainers have been used for many years to facilitate the improvement of laparoscopic skills. However, there are limited data available on box trainers and their impact on skill acquisition, assessed by virtual reality systems. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-two Postgraduate Year 1 gynecology residents with no laparoscopic experience were randomly divided into one group that received structured box model training and a control group. All residents performed a salpingectomy on LapSim before and after the training...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether a virtual reality simulator (LapSim) and traditional box trainer are effective tools for the acquisition of basic laparoscopic skills, and whether the LapSim is superior to the box trainer in surgical education. METHODS: In a study at Ege University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey, between September 2008 and March 2013, 40 first- and second-year residents were randomized to train via the LapSim or box trainer for 4 weeks, and 20 senior residents were allocated to a control group...

OBJECTIVE: A number of simulators have been developed to teach surgical trainees the basic skills required to effectively perform laparoscopic surgery; however, consideration needs to be given to how well the skills taught by these simulators are maintained over time. This study compared the maintenance of laparoscopic skills learned using box trainer and virtual reality simulators. DESIGN: Participants were randomly allocated to be trained and assessed using either the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) simulator or the Surgical Science virtual reality simulator...

OBJECTIVES: Virtual-reality (VR) training has been demonstrated to improve laparoscopic surgical skills in the operating theatre. The incorporation of laparoscopic VR simulation into surgical training in gynaecology remains a significant educational challenge. We undertook a pilot study to assess the feasibility of the implementation of a laparoscopic VR simulation programme into a single unit. STUDY DESIGN: An observational study with qualitative analysis of semi-structured group interviews...

Learning minimally invasive surgery (MIS) differs substantially from learning open surgery and trainees differ in their ability to learn MIS. Previous studies mainly focused on the role of visuo-spatial ability (VSA) on the learning curve for MIS. In the current study, the relationship between spatial memory, perceptual speed, and general reasoning ability, in addition to VSA, and performance on a MIS simulator is examined. Fifty-three laparoscopic novices were tested for cognitive aptitude. Laparoscopic performance was assessed with the LapSim simulator (Surgical Science Ltd...

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic skills development via simulation-based medical education programs has gained support in recent years. However, the impact of training site type on skills acquisition has not been examined. The objective of this research was to determine whether laparoscopic skills training outcomes differ as a result of training in a Mobile Simulation Unit (MSU) compared with fixed simulation laboratories. METHODS: An MSU was developed to provide delivery of training...

BACKGROUND: To improve patient safety, training of psychomotor laparoscopic skills is often done on virtual reality (VR) simulators outside the operating room. Haptic sensations have been found to influence psychomotor performance in laparoscopy. The emulation of haptic feedback is thus an important aspect of VR simulation. Some VR simulators try to simulate these sensations with handles equipped with haptic feedback. We conducted a survey on how laparoscopic surgeons perceive handles with and without haptic feedback...

BACKGROUND: Fatigue has been shown to have a negative impact on surgical performance. However, there is a lack of research investigating its effect on laparoscopy, particularly in Australia. This study investigated whether fatigue associated with a surgeon's usual workday led to a measurable drop off in laparoscopic surgical skills as assessed on a laparoscopic simulator. METHODS: A comparative study involving two cohorts was undertaken: a study group whose data were collected prospectively was compared to a historical control group...

OBJECT: Existing training methods for neuroendoscopic surgery have mainly emphasized the acquisition of anatomical knowledge and procedures for operating an endoscope and instruments. For laparoscopic surgery, various training systems have been developed to teach handling of an endoscope as well as the manipulation of instruments for speedy and precise endoscopic performance using both hands. In endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES), especially using a binostril approach to the skull base and intradural lesions, the learning of more meticulous manipulation of instruments is mandatory, and it may be necessary to develop another type of training method for acquiring psychomotor skills for EES...

BACKGROUND: Surgeons performing laparoscopy need a high degree of psychomotor skills, which can be trained and assessed on virtual reality (VR) simulators. VR simulators simulate the surgical environment and assess psychomotor skills according to predefined parameters. This study aimed to validate a proficiency-based training setup that consisted of two tasks with predefined threshold values and handles with haptic feedback on the LapSim(®) VR simulator. The two tasks have been found to have construct validity in previous studies using handles without haptic feedback...