title: Unsupervised virtual reality training may not increase laparoscopic suturing skills.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Numerous studies have been published showing the effect of virtual reality simulator training on laparoscopic skills. Most of these studies have not focused on simulator training in a nonsupervised setting.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to investigate whether virtual reality simulation training alone increases basic laparoscopic suturing skills.
  
  
  METHODS
  After an instructional video, a pretest involving suturing of bovine intestines was performed. The participants were then randomised into 2 groups. The study group received 4 training sessions on a virtual reality simulator whereas the other group received no training. After the training period, the suturing test was repeated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Central Hospital, Norway.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six internship candidates, of which 22 completed the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups increased their suturing skills significantly when comparing the results of the 2 tests; however, no difference was found in the increase of skills between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates that virtual reality simulator training alone may not increase laparoscopic suturing skills.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, SSHF Kristiansand, Norway.
authors.forename: Fredrik H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Halvorsen
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fosse
authors.forename: Odd
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mjåland
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000193:education*; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000193:education*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014741:Video Recording