Validation of virtual reality to teach and assess psychomotor skills in laparoscopic surgery: results from randomised controlled studies using the MIST VR laparoscopic simulator.
Objective assessment of surgical technique is currently impossible. A virtual reality simulator for laparoscopic surgery (MIST VR) models the movements needed to perform minimally invasive surgery and can generate a score for various aspects of psychomotor skill. Two studies were performed using the simulator: first to assess surgeons of different surgical experience to validate the scoring system; second to assess in a randomised controlled way, the effect of a standard laparoscopic surgery training course. Experienced surgeons (> 100 laparoscopic cholecystectomies) were significantly more efficient, made less correctional submovements and completed the virtual reality tasks faster than trainee surgeons or non-surgeons. The training course caused an improvement in efficiency and a reduction in errors, without a significant increase in speed when compared with the control group. The MIST VR simulator can objectively assess a number of desirable qualities in laparoscopic surgery, and can distinguish between experienced and novice surgeons. We have also quantified the beneficial effect of a structured training course on psychomotor skill acquisition.
Taffinder
N
N
Minimal Access Surgical Unit, Imperial College of Medicine at St. Mary's, London. n.taffinder@ic.ac.uk
Sutton
C
C
Fishwick
R J
RJ
McManus
I C
IC
Darzi
A
A
D002763:Cholecystectomy; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric