Does training in a virtual reality simulator improve surgical performance?
BACKGROUND
The development of computerized surgical simulators in a virtual reality environment demands models for proper validation. Recent investigations have shown that a virtual reality simulator (MIST-VR) is a reliable tool for the assessment of laparoscopic psychomotor skills and that it improves the automation of the so-called fulcrum effect. Therefore, we set out to determine whether training with the MIST-VR would improve the surgical performance of surgically inexperienced medical students and to see if results obtained in the simulator would correlate with surgical performance.


METHODS
A total of 29 medical students were randomized into two groups. One group received preoperative MIST-VR training. Both groups then performed a simulated laparoscopic appendectomy in a pig. The operations were videotaped and examined by three independent observers.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in performance between the two groups. The performance with the MIST-VR correlated with the results in surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
A method that can measure surgical skill, based on the scoring of independent observers who view videotaped performances, seems to be reliable. MIST-VR did not improve the surgical skills of the subjects, but the results with MIST-VR did predict surgical outcome.
Ahlberg
G
G
Department of Surgery, Karolinska Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden.
Heikkinen
T
T
Iselius
L
L
Leijonmarck
C-E
CE
Rutqvist
J
J
Arvidsson
D
D
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods; D018961:Educational Technology / Q000379:methods; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D013337:Students, Medical