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Construct validity testing of a laparoscopic surgery simulator (Lap Mentor®)

Evaluation of surgical skill with a virtual laparoscopic training simulator

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Abstract

Background

Before surgical simulators can be implemented for assessment of surgical training, their construct validity should be assessed.

Methods

Nine novices (NOV), nine medical students (MS), and nine residents (RES) underwent a laparoscopic skills training on the virtual reality (VR) simulator Lap Mentor®. Assessment of laparoscopic skill was based on parameters measured by the computer system before and after training.

Results

Significant difference existed between RES and NOV at seven of nine tasks before training on the VR simulator. After the training in some tasks significant differences were observed between the experienced group (RES) and the nonexperienced groups (MS and NOV) or between medical groups (RES and MS) and nonmedical group (NOV).

Conclusions

Performance parameters of the Lap-Mentor® can be used to distinguish between subjects with varying laparoscopic experience.

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Acknowledgements

This analysis was performed in cooperation with our Chinese friends Aimin Zhang and Yiyang Dai from the Department of General Surgery, Xiao Shan First People’s Hospital, Hangzhou, P. R. China and the Department of Gastroenterology, Zhejiang hospital, Hangzhou, P.R. China during their scholarship at the Department of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Charitè Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Charite Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    Aimin Zhang, Michael Hünerbein, Yiyang Dai, Peter M. Schlag & Siegfried Beller

  2. Klinik für Chirurgie und Chirurgische Onkologie, Charitè Campus Buch, Lindenberger Weg 80, 13125, Berlin, Germany

    Siegfried Beller

Authors
  1. Aimin Zhang
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  2. Michael Hünerbein
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  3. Yiyang Dai
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  4. Peter M. Schlag
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  5. Siegfried Beller
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Correspondence to Siegfried Beller.

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Zhang, A., Hünerbein, M., Dai, Y. et al. Construct validity testing of a laparoscopic surgery simulator (Lap Mentor®). Surg Endosc 22, 1440–1444 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-007-9625-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-007-9625-x

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