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Retention of laparoscopic procedural skills acquired on a virtual-reality surgical trainer

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Abstract

Background

Virtual-reality (VR) simulator training has been shown to improve surgical performance in laparoscopic procedures in the operating room. We have, in a randomised controlled trial, demonstrated transferability to real operations. The validity of the LapSim virtual-reality simulator as an assessment tool has been demonstrated in several reports. However, an unanswered question regarding simulator training is the durability, or retention, of skills acquired during simulator training. The aim of the present study is to assess the retention of skills acquired using the LapSim VR simulator, 6 and 18 months after an initial training course.

Methods and materials

The investigation was designed as a 6- and 18-month follow-up on a cohort of participants who earlier participated in a skills training programme on the LapSim VR. The follow-up cohort consisted of trainees and senior consultants allocated to two groups: (1) novices (experience < 5 procedures, n = 9) and (2) experts (experience > 200 procedures during the past 3 years, n = 10). Each participant performed ten sessions. Assessment of skills was based on time, economy of movement and the error parameter “bleeding”. The novice group were re-tested after 6 and 18 months, whereas the expert group were only retested once, after 6 months. None of the novices performed laparoscopic surgery in the follow-up period. The experts continued their daily work with laparoscopic surgery.

Results and conclusions

Novices showed retention of skills after 6 months. After 18 months, novices’ laparoscopic skills had returned to the pre-training level. This indicates that laparoscopic skills seemed to deteriorate in the period between 6 and 18 months without training. Experts showed consistent performance over time. This information can be included when planning training curricula in minimal invasive surgery.

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Disclosures

Authors M. Maagaard, J.L. Sorensen, J. Oestergaard, T. Dalsgaard, B. Ottesen, T. Grantcharov and C.R. Larsen have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, The Juliane Marie Centre (for Children, Women and Reproduction), Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 3, section 4074, 2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark

    Mathilde Maagaard, Jette Led Sorensen, Jeanett Oestergaard, Torur Dalsgaard, Bent S. Ottesen & Christian Rifbjerg Larsen

  2. Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Canada

    Teodor P. Grantcharov

Authors
  1. Mathilde Maagaard
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  2. Jette Led Sorensen
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  3. Jeanett Oestergaard
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  4. Torur Dalsgaard
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  5. Teodor P. Grantcharov
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  6. Bent S. Ottesen
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  7. Christian Rifbjerg Larsen
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Correspondence to Mathilde Maagaard.

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Maagaard, M., Sorensen, J.L., Oestergaard, J. et al. Retention of laparoscopic procedural skills acquired on a virtual-reality surgical trainer. Surg Endosc 25, 722–727 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-010-1233-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-010-1233-5

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