Effect of Continuous Motion Parameter Feedback on Laparoscopic Simulation Training: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial on Skill Acquisition and Retention

Publication date: Available online 31 August 2017
Source:Journal of Surgical Education
Author(s): Julian Frederik Buescher, Anne-Sophie Mehdorn, Philipp-Alexander Neumann, Felix Becker, Ann-Kathrin Eichelmann, Ulrich Pankratius, Ralf Bahde, Daniel Foell, Norbert Senninger, Emile Rijcken
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of motion parameter feedback on laparoscopic basic skill acquisition and retention during a standardized box training curriculum.DesignA Lap-X Hybrid laparoscopic simulator was designed to provide individual and continuous motion parameter feedback in a dry box trainer setting. In a prospective controlled trial, surgical novices were randomized into 2 groups (regular box group, n = 18, and Hybrid group, n = 18) to undergo an identical 5-day training program. In each group, 7 standardized tasks on laparoscopic basic skills were completed twice a day on 4 consecutive days in fixed pairs. Additionally, each participant performed a simulated standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy before (day 1) and after training (day 5) on a LAP Mentor II virtual reality (VR) trainer, allowing an independent control of skill progress in both groups. A follow-up assessment of skill retention was performed after 6 weeks with repetition of both the box tasks and VR cholecystectomy.SettingMuenster University Hospital Training Center, Muenster, Germany.ParticipantsMedical students without previous surgical experience.ResultsLaparoscopic skills in both groups improved significantly during the training period, measured by the overall task performance time. The 6 week follow-up showed comparable skill retention in both groups. Evaluation of the VR cholecystectomies demonstrated significant decrease of operation time (p < 0.01), path length of the left and right instrument, and the number of movements of the left and right instruments for the Hybrid group (all p < 0.001), compared to the box group. Similar results were found at the assessment of skill retention.ConclusionSimulation training on both trainers enables reliable acquisition of laparoscopic basic skills. Furthermore, individual and continuous motion feedback improves laparoscopic skill enhancement significantly in several aspects. Thus, training systems with feedback of motion parameters should be considered to achieve long-term improvement of motion economy among surgical trainees.



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