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Virtual reality-based assessment of basic laparoscopic skills using the Leap Motion controller

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Abstract

Background

The majority of the current surgical simulators employ specialized sensory equipment for instrument tracking. The Leap Motion controller is a new device able to track linear objects with sub-millimeter accuracy. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of a virtual reality (VR) simulator for assessment of basic laparoscopic skills, based on the low-cost Leap Motion controller.

Methods

A simple interface was constructed to simulate the insertion point of the instruments into the abdominal cavity. The controller provided information about the position and orientation of the instruments. Custom tools were constructed to simulate the laparoscopic setup. Three basic VR tasks were developed: camera navigation (CN), instrument navigation (IN), and bimanual operation (BO). The experiments were carried out in two simulation centers: MPLSC (Athens, Greece) and CRESENT (Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). Two groups of surgeons (28 experts and 21 novices) participated in the study by performing the VR tasks. Skills assessment metrics included time, pathlength, and two task-specific errors. The face validity of the training scenarios was also investigated via a questionnaire completed by the participants.

Results

Expert surgeons significantly outperformed novices in all assessment metrics for IN and BO (p < 0.05). For CN, a significant difference was found in one error metric (p < 0.05). The greatest difference between the performances of the two groups occurred for BO. Qualitative analysis of the instrument trajectory revealed that experts performed more delicate movements compared to novices. Subjects’ ratings on the feedback questionnaire highlighted the training value of the system.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence regarding the potential use of the Leap Motion controller for assessment of basic laparoscopic skills. The proposed system allowed the evaluation of dexterity of the hand movements. Future work will involve comparison studies with validated simulators and development of advanced training scenarios on current Leap Motion controller.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Ms. Ouhoud Kaddour who helped in organizing the data collection and contributed in the necessary coordination of the study, and Mr. Jalal Froukh for his assistance and the setup of the equipment during the study period.

Funding

Funding was provided by King Fahad Medical City-Riyadh Saudi Arabia (Intramural fund number 015-006).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Physics Lab-Simulation Center, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75 Str., 11527, Athens, Greece

    Vasileios Lahanas, Constantinos Loukas & Konstantinos Georgiou

  2. Center for Research, Education & Simulation Enhanced Training, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Hani Lababidi & Dania Al-Jaroudi

Authors
  1. Vasileios Lahanas
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  2. Constantinos Loukas
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  3. Konstantinos Georgiou
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  4. Hani Lababidi
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  5. Dania Al-Jaroudi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Constantinos Loukas.

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Disclosures

Dr. Al-Jaroudi, Dr. Loukas, and Dr. Lahanas report grants from King Fahad Medical City (Riyadh, KSA) during the conduct of the study. Dr. Lababidi and Dr. Georgiou have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.

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Lahanas, V., Loukas, C., Georgiou, K. et al. Virtual reality-based assessment of basic laparoscopic skills using the Leap Motion controller. Surg Endosc 31, 5012–5023 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-017-5503-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-017-5503-3

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