A Hackethal1, M Immenroth, T Bürger. 1. European Surgical Institute, Hummelsbüttler Steindamm 71, 22851 Norderstedt, Germany. Andreas.Hackethal@gyn.med.uni-giessen.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Minimally Invasive Surgical Trainer-Virtual Reality (MIST-VR) simulator is validated for laparoscopy training, but benchmarks and target scores for assessing single tasks are needed. METHODS: Control data for the MIST-VR traversal task scenario were collected from 61 novices who performed the task 10 times over 3 days (1 h daily). Data were collected on the time taken, error score, economy of movement, and total score. Test differences were analyzed through percentage scores and t-tests for paired samples. RESULTS: Improvement was greatest over tests 1 to 5 (improvement: test(1.2), 38.07%; p = 0.000; test(4.5), 10.66%; p = 0.010): between tests 5 and 10, improvement slowed and scores stabilized. Variation in participants' performance fell steadily over the 10 tests. CONCLUSION: Trainees should perform at least 10 tests of the traversal task-five to get used to the equipment and task (automation phase; target total score, 95.16) and five to stabilize and consolidate performance (test 10 target total score, 74.11).
BACKGROUND: The Minimally Invasive Surgical Trainer-Virtual Reality (MIST-VR) simulator is validated for laparoscopy training, but benchmarks and target scores for assessing single tasks are needed. METHODS: Control data for the MIST-VR traversal task scenario were collected from 61 novices who performed the task 10 times over 3 days (1 h daily). Data were collected on the time taken, error score, economy of movement, and total score. Test differences were analyzed through percentage scores and t-tests for paired samples. RESULTS: Improvement was greatest over tests 1 to 5 (improvement: test(1.2), 38.07%; p = 0.000; test(4.5), 10.66%; p = 0.010): between tests 5 and 10, improvement slowed and scores stabilized. Variation in participants' performance fell steadily over the 10 tests. CONCLUSION: Trainees should perform at least 10 tests of the traversal task-five to get used to the equipment and task (automation phase; target total score, 95.16) and five to stabilize and consolidate performance (test 10 target total score, 74.11).
Authors: Neal E Seymour; Anthony G Gallagher; Sanziana A Roman; Michael K O'Brien; Vipin K Bansal; Dana K Andersen; Richard M Satava Journal: Ann Surg Date: 2002-10 Impact factor: 12.969