Validation of a novel basic virtual reality simulator, the LAP-X, for training basic laparoscopic skills.
BACKGROUND
Virtual reality surgical simulators are becoming popular as a means of providing trainees with an opportunity to practice laparoscopic skills. The Lap-X (Epona Medical, Rotterdam, the Netherlands) is a novel VR simulator for training basic skills in laparoscopic surgery. The objective of this study was to validate the LAP-X laparoscopic virtual reality simulator by assessing the face and construct validity in order to determine whether the simulator is adequate for basic skills training.


METHODS
The face and content validity were evaluated using a structured questionnaire. To assess the construct validity, the participants, nine expert surgeons (median age: 40 (32-45)) (>100 laparoscopic procedures) and 11 novices performed three basic laparoscopic tasks using the Lap-X.


RESULTS
The participants reported a high level of content validity. No significant differences were found between the expert surgeons and the novices (Ps > 0.246). The performance of the expert surgeons on the three tasks was significantly better than that of the novices in all parameters (Ps < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated the face, content and construct validity of the Lap-X. The Lap-X holds real potential as a home and hospital training device.
Department of Gastroenterological and Transplant Surgery, Applied Life Sciences, Institute of Biomedical & Health Sciences, Hiroshima University , Hiroshima , Japan.
Koji
K
Kawaguchi
Hiroyuki
H
Egi
Minoru
M
Hattori
Hiroyuki
H
Sawada
Takahisa
T
Suzuki
Hideki
H
Ohdan
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000193:education*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D055815:Young Adult
Lap-X; education; laparoscopic surgery; training; validation