Evaluation of a laparoscopic training program with or without robotic assistance

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the value of a box trainer simulator in laparoscopy training. A further aim was to determine if robotic-assisted approaches further improved the young residents' skills in laparoscopic surgery. The study was a prospective randomized study. Twelve residents in obstetrics & gynecology completed four laparoscopy-related procedures of varying complexity using a box trainer simulator. Participants were randomized into two groups; robotic-assisted laparoscopy (LRA) and traditional laparoscopy (TL). All subjects were assessed with a time and technical score, which are quantitative and qualitative approaches (respectively). All residents completed the training and a satisfaction questionnaire, which confirmed that the training was well regarded. Regardless of the workshop type, there was a clear time and technical improvement for the difficult tasks. The improvement of time score was most apparent for simple tasks in LRA and for more complex tasks in TL. After training, we did not find a significant difference for the technical score between Novices and Experts in TL and LRA. These findings suggest that training in laparoscopy surgery is useful, reproducible and well accepted by both novice and more advanced trainees. Furthermore, gynecological endoscopy center consider including robotic-assisted approaches in their surgical training program.

Keywords: Laparoscopy; Robotic assisted surgery; Surgical simulator; Surgical training; Time score.