title: Do laparoscopic pelvic trainer exercises improve residents' surgical skills? A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The impact of surgical simulation devices on the training of gynecology residents has not been well defined. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the use of a laparoscopic pelvic trainer improved the surgical performance of residents.
  
  
  METHODS
  This randomized controlled trial enrolled gynecology residents who were randomized into group A or group B in a 1:1 fashion. All participants performed three pelvitrainer assessments (T1, T2, T3) consisting of suturing a 4-cm incision in a porcine bladder. The baseline assessment (T1) was performed before training. Group A underwent training before the second assessment (T2) and group B underwent training between the second and third assessments (T3).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 26 residents were enrolled (group A, n=14; group B, n=12). At the first assessment (T1), there was no significant difference in the time taken to perform the procedure between the two groups (group A, 30min vs group B, 30min; p=.35), indicating homogeneity of the two groups. At T2, there was a difference between the two groups in the time taken to perform the leak-free closer (group A, 19min vs group B, 30min; p=.08). The time taken to complete the procedure was shorter after training for each group: 30min (T1) vs 19min (T2); p=.02 for group A and 30min (T2) vs 17min (T3); p=.009 for group B. Residents in group A did not receive any training during the 4-week period between T2 and T3, but their acquired skills persisted during this time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The training on a laparoscopic pelvic trainer improves the surgical skills of residents, with performance persisting over time. It may be beneficial to use a laparoscopic pelvic trainer during residency programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Gynecologic Division, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: jean.dubuisson@hcuge.ch.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dubuisson
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Gynecologic Division, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Fleur
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vilmin
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Gynecologic Division, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boulvain
authors.affiliation: CRC & Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Health and Community Medicine, University of Geneva & University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Combescure
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Gynecologic Division, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Petignat
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, eHnv, Yverdon-Les-Bains, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brossard
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000193:education*; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D010388:Pelvis / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Box trainer; Gynecology; Laparoscopy; Simulation; Training