The transfer of basic skills learned in a laparoscopic simulator to the operating room.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to evaluate whether basic surgical skills achieved by training in LapSim, a computerbased laparoscopic simulator, could be transferred to the operating room.


METHODS
For this study, 24 medical students undergoing courses in surgery were randomly assigned to train with LapSim or to serve as control subjects. After they had undergone simulator training 2 h per week for 5 weeks, their basic skills in laparoscopic surgery were assessed in a porcine model. The time to perform each task was measured, and four senior surgeons independently graded the overall performance on a 9-step differential rating scale.


RESULTS
The participants randomized to train with LapSim showed significantly better results for all tasks in both parts of the study than the untrained participants, according to the expert evaluation. Time consumption was accordingly lower in the training group in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The results show that basic skills achieved by systematic training with a laparoscopic simulator such as LapSim can be transferred to the operating room.
Hyltander
A
A
Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, S-413 45 Göteborg, Sweden. anders.hyltander@medfak.gu.se
Liljegren
E
E
Rhodin
P H
PH
Lönroth
H
H
D000818:Animals; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011897:Random Allocation; D013552:Swine; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D020535:Video-Assisted Surgery / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards