Nonsurgical skills do not predict baseline scores in inanimate box or virtual-reality trainers

IntroductionLaparoscopic basic skills are best trained in the nonclinical setting. Box trainers and virtual-reality trainers have been shown to be useful in training laparoscopic skills. Certain nonsurgical skills may predict baseline skills in these trainers. This study tested the hypothesis that baseline scores could be predicted in inanimate box trainers and virtual-reality trainers by nonsurgical skills.MethodsOnly preclinical medical students were included in the study. All students were given a survey ascertaining if they played computer games, typed, sew, played a musical instrument, and utilized chopsticks. Students utilized a box trainer (BT) and/or virtual-reality trainer (VR). Nonparametric two-tailed Mann–Whitney tests were utilized to compare students that possessed certain nonsurgical skills versus those who did not.ResultsThere were 18 students in the VR group and 33 students in the BT group. In the VR group, students who played computer games, typed, utilized chopsticks, or played a musical instrument had better scores and fewer errors than those who did not but this did not reach statistical significance in any comparison (p = NS). In the BT group, none of the nonsurgical skills predicted times or errors. Males performed better than females in the VR group (p < 0.001); but this gender discrepancy was not seen in the BT group.ConclusionsNonsurgical skills do not predict baseline scores in either trainer. The gender differences in VR training need to be further explored.

[1]  Heinrichs,et al.  Acquisition of Eye-hand Coordination Skills for Videoendoscopic Surgery , 1994, The Journal of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists.

[2]  Douglas Landsittel,et al.  Can video games be used to predict or improve laparoscopic skills? , 2005, Journal of endourology.

[3]  A. Park,et al.  Transfer of training in acquiring laparoscopic skills. , 2001, Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

[4]  C. Frantzides,et al.  Participants' opinions of laparoscopic training devices after a basic laparoscopic training course. , 2005, American journal of surgery.

[5]  Lee L Swanstrom,et al.  Beta test results of a new system assessing competence in laparoscopic surgery. , 2006, Journal of the American College of Surgeons.

[6]  J. Rosser,et al.  Minimally invasive surgical training solutions for the twenty-first century. , 2000, The Surgical clinics of North America.

[7]  Lars Enochsson,et al.  Perceptual, visuospatial, and psychomotor abilities correlate with duration of training required on a virtual-reality flexible endoscopy simulator. , 2006, American journal of surgery.

[8]  J. Champion,et al.  Teaching basic video skills as an aid in laparoscopic suturing , 2007, Surgical Endoscopy.

[9]  C. Frantzides,et al.  Prospective randomized controlled trial of laparoscopic trainers for basic laparoscopic skills acquisition , 2007, Surgical Endoscopy.

[10]  Harrith M. Hasson,et al.  Training Simulator for Developing Laparoscopic Skills , 2001, JSLS : Journal of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons.

[11]  C. Frantzides,et al.  Assessment of Individual Hand Performance in Box Trainers Compared to Virtual Reality Trainers , 2003, The American surgeon.

[12]  G. Fried,et al.  The MISTELS program to measure technical skill in laparoscopic surgery , 2006, Surgical Endoscopy And Other Interventional Techniques.

[13]  R. Satava,et al.  Virtual Reality Training Improves Operating Room Performance: Results of a Randomized, Double-Blinded Study , 2002, Annals of surgery.

[14]  C. Frantzides,et al.  Self-reported versus observed scores in laparoscopic skills training , 2005, Surgical Endoscopy And Other Interventional Techniques.

[15]  T. Grantcharov,et al.  Impact of hand dominance, gender, and experience with computer games on performance in virtual reality laparoscopy , 2003, Surgical Endoscopy And Other Interventional Techniques.

[16]  R. M. Satava,et al.  Evaluation of structured and quantitative training methods for teaching intracorporeal knot tying , 2001, Surgical Endoscopy And Other Interventional Techniques.

[17]  C. Frantzides,et al.  Predicting baseline laparoscopic surgery skills , 2005, Surgical Endoscopy And Other Interventional Techniques.

[18]  D. Oleynikov,et al.  Clinical and Pathologic Response of Barrett's Esophagus to Laparoscopic Antireflux Surgery , 2003, Annals of surgery.

[19]  Atul K. Madan,et al.  Substituting Virtual Reality Trainers for Inanimate Box Trainers Does Not Decrease Laparoscopic Skills Acquisition , 2007, JSLS : Journal of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons.

[20]  J. Rosser,et al.  Skill acquisition and assessment for laparoscopic surgery. , 1997, Archives of surgery.

[21]  A. Gallagher,et al.  Virtual Reality Training in Laparoscopic Surgery: A Preliminary Assessment of Minimally Invasive Surgical Trainer Virtual Reality (MIST VR) , 1999, Endoscopy.

[22]  C. Frantzides,et al.  Laparoscopic baseline ability assessment by virtual reality. , 2005, Journal of laparoendoscopic & advanced surgical techniques. Part A.

[23]  D. Gentile,et al.  The impact of video games on training surgeons in the 21st century. , 2007, Archives of surgery.

[24]  B. Heniford,et al.  Prospective randomized evaluation of surgical resident proficiency with laparoscopic suturing after course instruction , 2002, Surgical Endoscopy And Other Interventional Techniques.

[25]  K. Suzuki,et al.  Usefulness of a virtual reality simulator or training box for endoscopic surgery training , 2006, Surgical Endoscopy And Other Interventional Techniques.

[26]  Atul K. Madan,et al.  Evaluation of Specialized Laparoscopic Suturing and Tying Devices , 2004, JSLS : Journal of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons.

[27]  E. DeMaria,et al.  Training the novice in laparoscopy , 2002, Surgical Endoscopy And Other Interventional Techniques.