[A virtual reality simulator for objective assessment of surgeons' laparoscopic skill].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to validate computed virtual reality simulation as a tool to assess laparoscopic skills and to establish whether the simulator allows differentiating between surgeons with different laparoscopic experience.


METHODS
27 physicians at the surgical department of the University of Marburg, Germany, with different experience in laparoscopic surgery were divided into three groups: experienced (group I), intermediate (group II), and novices (group III). Following a brief introduction to the virtual reality simulator (LapSim), each participant performed twice a training program consisting of seven tasks (examinations I and II).


RESULTS
Comparison of experienced surgeons with less experienced laparoscopic physicians showed a significant (P<0.05) superiority of group I at examinations I and II in most exercises. The groups' difference was more obvious in examination II, since the technique was new for all participants during examination I. Tasks of low complexity in virtual reality such as camera navigation, which are performed by young, not yet responsible surgeons in real surgery, did not show significantly different results between the three groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Differences in laparoscopic experience can be visualised with a virtual reality simulator, and thus a simulator is helpful for assessing surgeons' laparoscopic skills.
Hassan
I
I
Klinik für Visceral-, Thorax- und Gefässchirurgie, Philipps-Universität Marburg.
Sitter
H
H
Schlosser
K
K
Zielke
A
A
Rothmund
M
M
Gerdes
B
B
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D014584:User-Computer Interface
Laparoskopiesimulator Abbildung der manuellen Geschicklichkeit in der laparoskopischen Chirurgie.