Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills in Veterinarians Using a Canine Laparoscopic Simulator

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess the content and construct validity of the Canine Laparoscopic Simulator (CLS). Forty-two veterinarians were assigned to experienced (n=12), control (n=15), and training (n=15) groups, which were assessed while performing four laparoscopic tasks on the CLS. The initial and final assessments of all tasks were performed blindly by two experienced surgeons using the Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills (GOALS) and a task-specific checklist. At the end of the study, the subjects completed an anonymous survey. The experienced group performed all of the tasks faster, with higher GOALS and checklist scores than the training and control groups (p≤.001). In the second assessment, the training group reduced the time needed to complete all of the tasks and obtained significantly higher GOALS and checklist scores than the control group. The participants perceived the CLS and its training program to be positive or very positive. The CLS and its training program demonstrated content and construct validity, supporting the suitability of the simulator for training and teaching and its ability to distinguish the degree of experience in laparoscopic surgery among veterinarians. In addition, face validity showed that the veterinarians fully accepted the CLS's usefulness for learning basic laparoscopic skills.

Teaching and proficiency assessment for arthroscopy in veterinary surgery: A 2017 survey of diplomates and residents of the American and European College of Veterinary Surgeons

“…24 The results of the survey strongly support the introduction of structured simulator training in veterinary residency programs, as has recently been developed for laparoscopic training. [36][37][38][39][40][41] Our results also suggest that external training courses that used simulator training were highly valued by the majority of participants, although they were not attended because of lack of time and cost. In human surgery, training courses that use mainly simulators are included in the orthopedic surgeon curriculum of some faculties.…”

“…The overall lack of availability and use of simulators reported in this study suggests that there is limited appreciation of the types and merits of simulator training along with concerns regarding financial and time investment . The results of the survey strongly support the introduction of structured simulator training in veterinary residency programs, as has recently been developed for laparoscopic training . Our results also suggest that external training courses that used simulator training were highly valued by the majority of participants, although they were not attended because of lack of time and cost.…”

Implementation of laparoscopy and thoracoscopy in small animal practice following an intensive training course

“…During simulator laparoscopic training, attendants were asked to perform five tasks on a previously validated canine physical simulator. 25 They began by practicing basic skills with hand-eye and hand-hand coordination tasks and cutting on inorganic tissue and continued with advanced maneuvers while practicing dissection and intracorporeal suturing on ex vivo porcine stomachs. Simulator thoracoscopic training included lymph node dissection and lung biopsies on ex vivo porcine cardiopulmonary systems.…”

“…7 This is surprising, since simulation training is the first step to learn laparoscopic surgical skills, its usefulness having been reported both in human and veterinary medicine. 13,25,29 Certainly, Kilkenny et al showed that simulation provides an effective platform for veterinary students (and likely novice laparoscopic surgeons), to learn laparoscopic intracorporeal suturing. 29 In addition, Chen et al compared two training curricula, the first centered on basic surgery skill training and the second based on procedures (including both physical and virtual reality simulation), and found that both improved veterinary students laparoscopic skills.…”

Model Surgical Training: Skills Acquisition in Fetoscopic Laser Photocoagulation of Monochorionic Diamniotic Twin Placenta Using Realistic Simulators

“…The traditional surgical apprenticeship is still relevant but less practical for many smaller clinical units, as it is time-and resource-consuming and limits the passage of knowledge and skills to one trainee at a time. Simulator training under proctorship is more applicable on a wider scale and facilitates the passage of knowledge and skills passed from one expert to multiple persons through workshops and regular skills training on reliable tissue models 13,42,43 . It has been suggested that, because of its rarity, TTTS treatment should be accumulated in high-volume fetal centers to improve its outcomes.…”