Effect of virtual reality training on laparoscopic surgery: randomised controlled trial.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of virtual reality training on an actual laparoscopic operation. DESIGN: Prospective randomised controlled and blinded trial. SETTING: Seven gynaecological departments in the Zeeland region of Denmark. PARTICIPANTS: 24 first and second year registrars specialising in gynaecology and obstetrics. INTERVENTIONS: Proficiency based virtual reality simulator training in laparoscopic salpingectomy and standard clinical education (controls). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The main outcome measure was technical performance assessed by two independent observers blinded to trainee and training status using a previously validated general and task specific rating scale. The secondary outcome measure was operation time in minutes. RESULTS: The simulator trained group (n=11) reached a median total score of 33 points (interquartile range 32-36 points), equivalent to the experience gained after 20-50 laparoscopic procedures, whereas the control group (n=10) reached a median total score of 23 (22-27) points, equivalent to the experience gained from fewer than five procedures (P<0.001). The median total operation time in the simulator trained group was 12 minutes (interquartile range 10-14 minutes) and in the control group was 24 (20-29) minutes (P<0.001). The observers' inter-rater agreement was 0.79. CONCLUSION: Skills in laparoscopic surgery can be increased in a clinically relevant manner using proficiency based virtual reality simulator training. The performance level of novices was increased to that of intermediately experienced laparoscopists and operation time was halved. Simulator training should be considered before trainees carry out laparoscopic procedures. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00311792.

Author information

Author/s: Larsen, Christian R (CR); Soerensen, Jette L (JL); Grantcharov, Teodor P (TP); Dalsgaard, Torur (T); Schouenborg, Lars (L); Ottosen, Christian (C); Schroeder, Torben V (TV); Ottesen, Bent S (BS);

Affiliation: Department of Gynecology, Juliane Marie Centre for Children, Women and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 OE, Copenhagen, Denmark. crl(-atsign-)dadlnet.dk [corrected]

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: BMJ (Clinical research ed.) (BMJ), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-; vol 338 (issue ) : pp b1802

Dates: Created 2009/05/15; Completed 2009/06/22; Revised 2009/06/25;

PMID: 19443914, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 6/25/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

Comments and Corrections

CommentIn: BMJ. 2009;338:b1001. (PMID: 19443913)

ErratumIn: BMJ. 2009;338. doi: 10.1136/bmj.b2074.

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