Evaluation of the 10-year history of a 2-day standardized laparoscopic surgical skills training program at Kyushu University.
OBJECTIVE
Laparoscopic and open surgical skills differ distinctly from one another. Our institute provides laparoscopic surgical skills training for currently active surgeons throughout Japan. This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of our 2-day standardized laparoscopic surgical skills training program over its 10-year history.


METHODS
We analyzed the data on trainee characteristics, outcomes of skills assessments at the beginning and end of the program, and self-assessment after 6 months using a questionnaire survey.


RESULTS
From January 2004 to December 2013, 914 surgeons completed the 2-day training program. Peaks in postgraduate years of experience occurred at years 2, 8, and 17. Suturing and knot tying times were significantly shorter at the end than beginning of the program (p < 0.001). However, the numbers of misplaced and loose sutures, maximum misplacement distance, and number of injuries to the rubber sheet were significantly higher at the end of the program (p < 0.001). A questionnaire at 6 months post-training revealed significant improvements in the overall skills and forceps manipulation (p < 0.0001) and a significantly shorter mean operation time for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Our 2-day training program for active Japanese surgeons is thus considered to be effective; however, continued voluntary training is important and further outcomes assessments are needed.
Department of Advanced Medicine and Innovative Technology, Kyushu University Hospital, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Morimasa
M
Tomikawa
Department of Advanced Medical Initiatives, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.
Munenori
M
Uemura
Center for Advanced Medical Innovation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Hajime
H
Kenmotsu
Department of Advanced Medicine and Innovative Technology, Kyushu University Hospital, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Kozo
K
Konishi
Department of Advanced Medicine and Innovative Technology, Kyushu University Hospital, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Kenoki
K
Ohuchida
Department of Advanced Medicine and Innovative Technology, Kyushu University Hospital, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Ken
K
Okazaki
Department of Advanced Medicine and Innovative Technology, Kyushu University Hospital, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Satoshi
S
Ieiri
Department of Advanced Medicine and Innovative Technology, Kyushu University Hospital, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Kazuo
K
Tanoue
Department of Advanced Medicine and Innovative Technology, Kyushu University Hospital, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. mhashi@dem.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp.|Department of Advanced Medical Initiatives, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan. mhashi@dem.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp.|Center for Advanced Medical Innovation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. mhashi@dem.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp.
Makoto
M
Hashizume
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012577:Schools, Medical; D012647:Self-Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors; D014495:Universities
Skills assessment task; Surgical skills training; Training center; Training program