Construct validity of the LapSim laparoscopic surgical simulator

Woodrum, Derek T.; Andreatta, Pamela B.; Yellamanchilli, Rajani K.; Feryus, Lauren; Gauger, Paul G.; Minter, Rebecca M.

doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2005.10.018

« Previous Next »The American Journal of Surgery
Volume 191, Issue 1 , Pages 28-32, January 2006

Construct validity of the LapSim laparoscopic surgical simulator

Presented at the 2005 Annual Meeting of the Association for Surgical Education, New York, New York, March 30–April 1, 2005

Derek T. Woodrum, M.D.
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, 2920 Taubman Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0331, USA
Pamela B. Andreatta, Ed.D.
- Department of Medical Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Rajani K. Yellamanchilli, M.S.
- Department of Medical Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Lauren Feryus
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, 2920 Taubman Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0331, USA
Paul G. Gauger, M.D.
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, 2920 Taubman Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0331, USA
- Department of Medical Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Rebecca M. Minter, M.D.
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, 2920 Taubman Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0331, USA
- Department of Medical Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Corresponding author. Tel. +1-734-769-7100; fax: +1-734-769-7056.

Received 7 April 2005; received in revised form 9 October 2005

Abstract

Background

Computer-aided simulators may increase the safety and efficiency of training in laparoscopic surgery. Before implementation of the Immersion LapSim (Gaithersburg, MD) simulator in our training curriculum, we wished to determine its construct validity (ie, whether the simulator could differentiate laparoscopic novices from trainees with greater experience).

Methods

Subjects were medical students (MS), residents (RES), and laparoscopic faculty (FAC). Subjects performed 10 repetitions of 6 LapSim tasks. The LapSim measured performance in 6 to 10 parameters per task, and performance was compared between groups. Post hoc t tests were used to make pair-wise comparisons among the 3 groups using the Bonferroni technique. Statistical significance was set at P < .05.

Results

The degree of prior laparoscopic experience was reflected in performance on at least 1 parameter for each task. Several patterns of performance between MS, RES, and FAC were observed.

Conclusions

The LapSim has performance parameters that reliably differentiate between subjects with varying laparoscopic experience. However, some performance parameters do not differentiate between groups. To accurately measure a trainee’s skill level, only parameters that sensitively measure the true level of performance should be used.

Keywords: LapSim TM , Laparoscopy , Surgical education , Virtual reality , Laparoscopic simulator , simulation , Construct validity

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Supported in part by a research grant from United States Surgical (Norwalk, CT) and by the Association for Surgical Education Foundation’s Center for Excellence in Surgical Education and Research (Springfield, IL).

PII: S0002-9610(05)00790-7

doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2005.10.018

« Previous Next »The American Journal of Surgery
Volume 191, Issue 1 , Pages 28-32, January 2006

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