title: Need for simulation in laparoscopic colorectal surgery training.
abstract: The dissemination of laparoscopic colorectal surgery (LCS) has been slow despite increasing evidence for the clinical benefits, with a prolonged learning curve being one of the main restrictions for a prompt uptake. Performing advanced laparoscopic procedures requires dedicated surgical skills and new simulation methods designed precisely for LCS have been established: These include virtual reality simulators, box trainers, animal and human tissue and synthetic materials. Studies have even demonstrated an improvement in trainees' laparoscopic skills in the actual operating room and a staged approach to surgical simulation with a combination of various training methods should be mandatory in every colorectal training program. The learning curve for LCS could be reduced through practice and skills development in a riskfree setting.
authors.affiliation: Valerio Celentano, Colorectal Unit, Federico II University, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Valerio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Celentano
keywords: Colorectal surgery; Laparoscopic surgery; Surgical simulation; Surgical training