A free and repeatable mobile based training model for laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Vivek Bindal. Robotic & Bariatric Surgeon at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital / Duke University Medical Center

1. Objective of the technology:

Access to training in developing countries can be very difficult with some hospitals having no simulation facilities. Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy is common procedure globally, ranking as the 9th commonest procedure in the US with nearly half a million preformed on an annual basis. The aim of our project was to develop a training tool for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which was accessible and free to surgical trainees in the US and the developing world.

2. Description of the technology and method of its use or application:

Using cognitive task analysis we broke down the procedure into its key steps and decisions. In collaboration with Touch Surgery, we then helped to develop and script the simulations for the training module, paying particular attention to the procedure

3. Preliminary results:

The final laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedure simulation takes the surgeon from patient preparation till wound closure. We listed the procedure on the Touch Surgery app library. After the first 2 months from launch we had over 2100 people download and use the module. Of these users the top adopters were the US (34%), the UK (8%), Brazil (6%), India (5%) and Canada (3%).

4. Conclusions and future direction:

The laparoscopic cholecystectomy simulation has had great traction from the US and global community. Our future plans includes looking at how we can best utilize this method of training paying particular attention to the impact of this training tool on the trainees’ learning curves.