Surgical suturing training with virtual reality simulation versus dry lab practice: an evaluation of performance improvement, content, and face validity

Implementing assessments of robot‐assisted technical skill in urological education: a systematic review and synthesis of the validity evidence

“…In addition to these GRS assessments, studies used weighted combinations of time and error (similar to the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery ) and ‘end‐product’ scores to assess technical performance.…”

“…In a study by Amirian et al. , the Simbionix suturing module (SSM), running on the dVSS training software, was able to demonstrate improvement from baseline in a group of RAS novices. Lee et al.…”

“…In addition to these GRS assessments, studies used weighted combinations of time and error [45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57] (similar to the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery [58]) and 'endproduct' scores [47,55,56,59] to assess technical performance. Table 2 outlines the commercially available simulation platforms and scoring metrics for RAS with literature supporting their use in training urologists.…”

“…Additionally, the selection and creation of the tasks used by the dVSS was made in conjunction with the Simbionix group (Israel). In a study by Amirian et al [56], the Simbionix suturing module (SSM), running on the dVSS training software, was able to demonstrate improvement from baseline in a group of RAS novices. Lee et al [81] developed a 4-week training curriculum, the Basic Skills Training Curriculum (BSTC), which employed the dVSS system to compare a time-based method of assessment with a competency/proficiency-based method in surgeons of various training levels at the University of Toronto.…”

A methodological, task-based approach to Procedure-Specific Simulations training

“…Initial validation studies of virtual-reality training in robotic surgery show encouraging results [6,16,19,23,25,41]; however, these platforms are yet to be fully validated for both basic-skill and procedural trainings. Nonetheless, for basicskill training, evidence suggests that there is no significant difference in improvement of novice trainees (but not yet for experts) between training with virtual-reality simulators and dry-lab training [3,4]. Overall, virtual-reality simulation has the potential to help in the ongoing demand to decrease training hours, minimize training cost and maximize surgeon's proficiency [18].…”