The American Journal of Surgery
Volume 199, Issue 6 , Pages 840-845, June 2010

A tale of two trainers: virtual reality versus a video trainer for acquisition of basic laparoscopic skills

Presented at the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery 2008 (Stockholm) in the Technology Award Session.

  • Anders J. Debes, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Surgery, Oestfold Hospital Trust, Oestfold Hospital Trust, N-1603 Fredrikstad, Norway
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel: +47 69 86 07 89; fax: +47 69 86 60 05
    • ,
  • Rajesh Aggarwal, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Biosurgery and Surgical Technology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
    • ,
  • Indran Balasundaram, M.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Biosurgery and Surgical Technology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
    • ,
  • Morten B. Jacobsen, Dr.Med.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Research and Development, Oestfold Hospital Trust, Fredrikstad, Norway
    • University of Oslo, Faculty of Medicine, Oslo, Norway

Received 31 December 2008; received in revised form 28 April 2009 published online 15 January 2010.

Abstract 

Background

This study aimed to assess the transferability of basic laparoscopic skills between a virtual reality simulator (MIST-VR) and a video trainer box (D-Box).

Methods

Forty-six medical students were randomized into 2 groups, training on MIST-VR or D-Box. After training with one modality, a crossover assessment on the other was performed.

Results

When tested on MIST-VR, the MIST-VR group showed significantly shorter time (90.3 seconds vs 188.6 seconds, P <.001), better economy of movements (4.40 vs 7.50, P <.001), and lower score (224.7 vs 527.0, P <.001). However, when assessed on the D-Box, there was no difference between the groups for time (402.0 seconds vs 325.6 seconds, P = .152), total hand movements (THC) (289 vs 262, P = .792), or total path length (TPL) (34.9 m vs 34.6 m, P = .388).

Conclusion

Both simulators provide significant improvement in performance. Our results indicate that skills learned on the MIST-VR are transferable to the D-Box, but the opposite cannot be demonstrated.

Keywords: Laparoscopy, Trainer box, Simulation, Surgical training, MIST-VR, Education, Virtual reality

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PII: S0002-9610(09)00517-0

doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2009.05.016

The American Journal of Surgery
Volume 199, Issue 6 , Pages 840-845, June 2010

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