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Evaluation of a new virtual-reality training simulator for hysteroscopy

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Abstract

Background

To determine realism and training capacity of HystSim, a new virtual-reality simulator for the training of hysteroscopic interventions.

Methods

Sixty-two gynaecological surgeons with various levels of expertise were interviewed at the 13th Practical Course in Gynaecologic Endoscopy in Davos, Switzerland. All participants received a 20-min hands-on training on the simulator and filled out a four-page questionnaire. Twenty-three questions with respect to the realism of the simulation and the training capacity were answered on a seven-point Likert scale along with 11 agree–disagree statements concerning the HystSim training in general.

Results

Twenty-six participants had performed more than 50 hysteroscopies (“experts”) and 36 equal to or fewer than 50 (“novices”). Four of 60 (6.6%) responding participants judged the overall impression as “7 – absolutely realistic”, 40 (66.6%) as “6 – realistic”, and 16 (26.6%) as “5 – somewhat realistic”. Novices (6.48; 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.28–6.7) rated the overall training capacity significantly higher than experts (6.08; 95% CI 5.85–6.3), however, high-grade acceptance was found in both groups. In response to the statements, 95.2% believe that HystSim allows procedural training of diagnostic and therapeutic hysteroscopy, and 85.5% suggest that HystSim training should be offered to all novices before performing surgery on real patients.

Conclusion

Face validity has been established for a new hysteroscopic surgery simulator. Potential trainees and trainers assess it to be a realistic and useful tool for the training of hysteroscopy. Further systematic validation studies are needed to clarify how this system can be optimally integrated into the gynaecological curriculum.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all developers of the hysteroscopy simulator project. This research has been supported by the NCCR Co-Me (Computer Aided and Image Guided Medical Interventions) of the Swiss National Science Foundation (http://www.co-me.ch).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinic of Gynaecology, Dept. OB/GYN, University Hospital Zurich, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland

    Michael Bajka, Matthias Streich & Daniel Fink

  2. Computer Vision Laboratory, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Stefan Tuchschmid, Gábor Székely & Matthias Harders

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  1. Michael Bajka
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  2. Stefan Tuchschmid
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  3. Matthias Streich
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  4. Daniel Fink
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  5. Gábor Székely
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  6. Matthias Harders
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael Bajka.

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Bajka, M., Tuchschmid, S., Streich, M. et al. Evaluation of a new virtual-reality training simulator for hysteroscopy. Surg Endosc 23, 2026–2033 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-008-9927-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-008-9927-7

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