Role of laparoscopic simulators in the development and assessment of laparoscopic surgical skills in laparoscopic surgery and gynecology (Review)

Abstract

The aim of the present review article was to provide an overview of the evaluation and capability of the different types of laparoscopic simulators in the application of training in laparoscopic gynecological surgery. The literature suggests that the acquisition of surgical psychomotor skills is best achieved in a simulated laboratory outside of the live operating environment. The present review article includes scientific publications on current laparoscopic gynecological simulators, including laparoscopic box trainers, laparoscopic virtual reality simulators, animal models, human cadavers and lightly embalmed human cadavers. At present, controversy exists as to the superiority of virtual reality simulators over laparoscopic box trainers on the transferability and development of minimally invasive surgical skills for the justification of their increased cost. The present review article covers the role of simulation-based surgical education in the development and assessment of the appropriated surgical skills for laparoscopic gynecological procedures. Within the surgical curriculum, the tertiary laparoscopic training hospitals should include surgical simulation-based programs for laparoscopic training to gynecologists outside the live operation rooms under appropriate supervision. Contents 1. Introduction 2. Surgical simulators for training in laparoscopic surgery 3. Scoring systems to objectively assess acquired skills from laparoscopic surgical training 4. Effectiveness of surgical stimulation in laparoscopic training 5. Laparoscopic virtual reality simulators versus laparoscopic box trainers 6. Evidence for training with laparoscopic simulation in laparoscopic gynecological surgery 7. Conclusion

A review of simulation training and new 3D computer-generated synthetic organs for robotic surgery education

“…Low-fidelity models have been used in gynaecology for some time [ 67 ]. More advanced models have been developed in recent years.…”

Comparison of laparoscopic surgical skills acquired on a virtual reality simulator and a box trainer: an analysis for obstetrics-gynecology residents

“…In a review article, we provided an overview of the evaluation and capacity of the different types of laparoscopic simulators including laparoscopic box trainers, laparoscopic VR simulators, animal models, human cadavers and lightly embalmed human cadavers in the development and assessment of training in laparoscopic gynecologic procedures. We suggested that the clinical training curriculum of obstetrician-gynecologists should include laparoscopic VR simulators through a simulation-based education program outside the live operative environment under appropriated supervision in order to ensure the acquisition of maximal surgical psychomotor skills and the achievement of high-quality laparoscopic training [35]. Moreover, Papanikolaou et al suggested that teaching hospitals should introduce training programs using laparoscopic simulators with standardized and reproducible tasks in order to achieve better patient care with safety, efficiency and lower cost [36].…”

Simulation-based structured training for developing laparoscopy skills in general surgery and obstetrics & gynecology postgraduates

“…A digital camera provides video output to a monitor on which the trainees watch their own movements while performing the teaching task. [ 7 ] A box trainer utilizing the camera, screen, light source, and endoscopic instruments enables developing laparoscopy skills. Laparoscopy instruments: Atraumatic grasping forceps (both jaw opening), grasping forceps curved left (both jaw opening-Maryland Dissector), scissors curved left (both blades opening-Metzenbaum), and modular needle holder.…”

“…A digital camera provides video output to a monitor on which the trainees watch their own movements while performing the teaching task. [ 7 ] A box trainer utilizing the camera, screen, light source, and endoscopic instruments enables developing laparoscopy skills.…”