BACKGROUND: The study was carried out to determine the learning curve patterns for basic laparoscopic technical skills. METHODS: Thirty-seven surgical residents with limited laparoscopic experience performed 10 repetitions of 6 tasks on a virtual-reality trainer (MIST-VR) with standardized distribution of practice. Assessment was based on time, errors, and economy of motion as measured by MIST-VR. Proficiency levels were established by testing experienced laparoscopic surgeons. RESULTS: Four learning curve patterns were determined. Surgeons in group 1 (5.4%) demonstrated proficiency from the beginning; group 2 (70.3%) achieved predefined expert criteria between 2 and 9 repetitions; group 3 (16.2%) demonstrated improvement but was unable to achieve proficiency within 10 repetitions. Group 4 (8.1%) underperformed and showed no tendency of skills improvement, reflecting a group of subjects who probably are unable to learn laparoscopic technique. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that a group of subjects could not reach proficiency in the psychomotor skills relevant for laparoscopy. We believe that this is an important issue that should be addressed in future research.
BACKGROUND: The study was carried out to determine the learning curve patterns for basic laparoscopic technical skills. METHODS: Thirty-seven surgical residents with limited laparoscopic experience performed 10 repetitions of 6 tasks on a virtual-reality trainer (MIST-VR) with standardized distribution of practice. Assessment was based on time, errors, and economy of motion as measured by MIST-VR. Proficiency levels were established by testing experienced laparoscopic surgeons. RESULTS: Four learning curve patterns were determined. Surgeons in group 1 (5.4%) demonstrated proficiency from the beginning; group 2 (70.3%) achieved predefined expert criteria between 2 and 9 repetitions; group 3 (16.2%) demonstrated improvement but was unable to achieve proficiency within 10 repetitions. Group 4 (8.1%) underperformed and showed no tendency of skills improvement, reflecting a group of subjects who probably are unable to learn laparoscopic technique. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that a group of subjects could not reach proficiency in the psychomotor skills relevant for laparoscopy. We believe that this is an important issue that should be addressed in future research.
Authors: Emmeline Nugent; Nicole Shirilla; Adnan Hafeez; Diarmuid S O'Riordain; Oscar Traynor; Anthony M Harrison; Paul Neary Journal: Surg Endosc Date: 2012-07-07 Impact factor: 4.584
Authors: J B Pagador; J Uson; M A Sánchez; J L Moyano; J Moreno; P Bustos; J Mateos; F M Sánchez-Margallo Journal: Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg Date: 2010-08-11 Impact factor: 2.924
Authors: Martin W von Websky; Dimitri A Raptis; Martina Vitz; Rachel Rosenthal; P A Clavien; Dieter Hahnloser Journal: World J Surg Date: 2013-11 Impact factor: 3.352