title: Comparison of the ability of veterinary medical students to perform laparoscopic versus conventional open ovariectomy on live dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the feasibility of training veterinary medicine students to perform laparoscopic versus conventional open ovariectomy in live dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized prospective parallel-group experiment.
  
  
  METHODS
  25 students completing the second year of their veterinary curriculum.
  
  
  METHODS
  Students were randomly assigned to 2 groups to receive 14 hours of specific training in either open ovariectomy (n = 13) or laparoscopic ovariectomy (12). Confidence, basic surgical skills, and basic laparoscopic skills were evaluated before and after training, prior to live surgical procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Scores related to basic surgical skills were high in both groups and did not improve with either training program. Before live animal surgeries, student confidence and basic laparoscopic skills improved after training in laparoscopic ovariectomy and were higher than after training in open ovariectomy. Surgery time was higher for the students who received training in laparoscopic ovariectomy (129 minutes; range, 84 to 143 minutes), compared with students who received training in open ovariectomy (80 minutes; range, 62 to 117 minutes). On a 55-point scoring system, ovariectomy scores were similar between students who received training in open ovariectomy (34.5; range, 16.5 to 45) and students who received training in laparoscopic ovariectomy (34.5; range, 25 to 44.5).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The training programs were effective in improving student confidence and skills in laparoscopic ovariectomy. Results of this study suggested that veterinary medical students, with assistance from an instructor, may be taught to perform laparoscopic ovariectomies with performance equivalent to that for students performing open ovariectomies.
authors.forename: Ohad
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Levi
authors.forename: Philip H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Kass
authors.forename: Lyon Y
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Valerie M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Cantrell
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Dominique J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Griffon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003625:Data Collection; D004285:Dogs; D004520:Education, Veterinary / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires