title: An objective comparison of novice trainees learning LESS versus traditional laparoscopy with the use of a pelvic trainer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the differences between LESS and SL among a population of subjects inexperienced of both techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomly assigned to the LESS or SL arm of the course; between the population examined, none had previous laparoscopic experience. The trial consisted in performing three increasingly difficult exercises either with LESS or standard laparoscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Time of execution and Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills score (OSATS) were recorded. Statistical analysis failed to detect any significant difference between the two arms of the trial. A trend in favor of standard laparoscopy was observed anyway.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study evaluates the technical performance on a surgical simulator in the laboratory setting, with the use of standardized tasks and validated metrics. We believe that a controlled and safe environment aids objective evaluation of LESS compared to SL. Literature on this particular topic is somehow conflicting and heterogeneous. Our trial demonstrated that novices performed LESS tasks without any additional difficulties compared to standard laparoscopy. The aim of such investigation is to support knowledge of this new technology in order to facilitate its use in selected patients and surgical procedures.
authors.affiliation: Urology Department, "Policlinico" Hospital of Modena, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena - Italy.
authors.forename: Gianmarco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Isgrò
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Micali
authors.forename: Giovannalberto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pini
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Stefani
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gelmini
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Franzoni
authors.forename: Giampaolo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bianchi
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D020706:Laparoscopes; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D008348:Manikins; D061646:Operative Time; D011897:Random Allocation; D012371:Robotics; D013337:Students, Medical; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D014572:Urology / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods