A laparoscopic simulator tool for objective measurement of residents' laparoscopic ability.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to develop an objective measurement of residents' laparoscopic ability by using a laparoscopic simulator assessment tool.


METHODS
An inexpensive laparoscopic simulator was developed. Three laparoscopic assessment procedures were created: 1) bead/pom-pom drop, 2) checkerboard drill, and 3) bead manipulation. Two minimally invasive surgeons and 8 PGY 3/4 and 15 PGY 1 residents were timed performing the 3 procedures. Ten of the PGY 1 residents were retested at the end of their PGY 1 year.


RESULTS
The minimally invasive surgeons completed the laparoscopic drills in approximately half the time of the PGY 3/4 (P=0.02), and PGY 3/4 were 60% faster than PGY 1 (P=0.01). PGY 1 completed the drills in half the time at the end of the PGY 1 year (P=0.005). As an objective measurement of residents' laparoscopic surgery competency, by the completion of the academic year, all PGY 1 residents must be able to complete the drills as fast as or faster than the original PGY 3/4 times.


CONCLUSIONS
We developed an inexpensive, objective, simple laparoscopic simulator assessment tool for measurement of residents' laparoscopic ability.
Bell
Rebecca
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Summa Health System, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of medciine, Akron, OH 44309, USA.
Maseelall
Priya
P
Fanning
James
J
Fenton
Bradford
B
Flora
Robert
R
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010535:Laparoscopy; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*