Amina Bouhelal, MBBS, MSc, Hitendra Patel, PhD, Reza Farhanandfar, MSc, Allan Benjamin, MSc, Badriya Alaraimi, MSc, Bijendra Patel, MS, FRCS
London Simulation Center , Barts Cancer Institute , Queen Mary University of London
Introduction: Surgical training has long relied on the Halstedian framework, the diminishing working hours, along with the ever-escalating procedural complexity; apprenticeship is no longer a valid choice to guarantee the supply of qualified safe surgeons to satisfy the demand.
Aim: Our study using a validated procedural specific, laparoscopic Cholecystectomy curriculum with expert performance as proficiency criteria, objectively investigated the possibility of skill acquisition and procedural proficiency using virtual reality
Methods: 30 novices were randomly recruited and trained on 9 basic tasks, 4 procedural tasks and full laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, on a high-fidelity, commercially available VR simulator, Lap Mentor, Simbionix, using a validated training curriculum with proficiency criteria.
Results: A total of 30 novices successfully completed the training curriculum & reached proficiency level in all tasks, (P<0.000) In basic tasks 5 the average time taken to finish the task decreased from 2:21 to 1:21 minute in mean total simulator time of 12:49 minute with average number trials of 7.3. In basic tasks 6 the average time taken to finish the task decreasing from 2:19 to 1:17 minute in mean total simulator of 12:20 minute with average number of trials of 7.2. In procedural task 3, participant’s average time taken to finish the task decreased from 7:48 to 3:43 minute in mean total simulator of 26:42 minute with average number of trials of 5.33 .In procedural task 4 the average time taken to finish the task decreased from 6:27 to 3:46 minute in mean total simulator of 27:40 minute with average number of trials of 5.2 The average time taken to finish the Full Procedural LC decreased from 9:57 to 7:10 minute in mean total simulator time of 30:04 minute with average number of trials of 3.4
Conclusion: the role of VR in surgical training is evident, in addition to the objective assessment VR provides, it also offers the long anticipated individualized focused training.
Session: Poster Presentation
Program Number: ETP016