title: The Transferability of Generic Minimally Invasive Surgical Skills: Is There Crossover of Core Skills Between Laparoscopy and Arthroscopy?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary objective was observing transferability of minimally invasive surgical skills between virtual reality simulators for laparoscopy and arthroscopy. Secondary objectives were to assess face validity and acceptability.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective single-blinded crossover randomized controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  MSk Laboratory, Imperial College London.
  
  
  METHODS
  Student doctors naïve to simulation and minimally invasive techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 72 medical students were randomized into 4 groups (2 control groups and 2 training groups), and tested on haptic virtual reality simulators. Group 1 (control; n = 16) performed a partial laparoscopic cholecystectomy and Group 2 (control; n = 16) performed a diagnostic knee arthroscopy. Both groups then repeated the same task a week later. Group 3 (training; n = 20) completed a partial laparoscopic cholecystectomy, followed by an arthroscopic training program, and repeated the laparoscopic cholecystectomy a week later. Group 4 (training; n = 20) performed a diagnostic knee arthroscopy, followed by a laparoscopic training program, and then repeated the initial arthroscopic test a week later. The time taken, instrument path length, and speed were recorded for each participant and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Time taken for task: All 4 cohorts were significantly quicker on their second attempt but the 2 training groups outperformed the 2 control groups, with the laparoscopy-trained group improving the most (p < 0.05). Economy of movement: All cohorts had a significant improvement in left hand path length (p < 0.01) but there was no difference for right hand path length. Left hand speed: Only the 2 training groups showed significant improvement with the laparoscopy-trained group improving the most (p < 0.05). Right hand speed: All cohorts improved significantly with the laparoscopy-trained group improving the most (p < 0.05). Face validity and acceptability were established for both simulators.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that minimally invasive surgical skills learnt on a laparoscopy simulator are transferable to arthroscopy and vice versa, with greater effect after training on the laparoscopy simulator.
authors: Department of Trauma & Orthopaedics, Barts Health NHS Trust, QMUL, London, United Kingdom.
authors: Kash
authors: K
authors: Akhtar
authors: MSk Lab, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: ks704@ic.ac.uk.
authors: Kapil
authors: K
authors: Sugand
authors: MSk Lab, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors: Asanka
authors: A
authors: Wijendra
authors: MSk Lab, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors: Muthuswamy
authors: M
authors: Sarvesvaran
authors: Centre for Health Informatics, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
authors: Matthew
authors: M
authors: Sperrin
authors: Postgraduate School of Surgery, London Deanery, London, United Kingdom.
authors: Nigel
authors: N
authors: Standfield
authors: MSk Lab, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors: Justin
authors: J
authors: Cobb
authors: MSk Lab, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors: Chinmay
authors: C
authors: Gupte
mesh_terms: D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000193:education*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000193:education*; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education*; D009048:Motor Skills; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000066908:Simulation Training; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Interpersonal and Communication Skills; Medical Knowledge; Patient Care; Practice-Based Learning and Improvement; Professionalism; Systems-Based Practice; arthroscopy; laparoscopy; skill transferability; surgical training; virtual reality simulator