Resident simulation training improves operative time of the retropubic midurethral sling procedure for stress incontinence.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Our aim was to assess whether immediate preoperative resident simulation training decreases operative time and improves resident proficiency when performing a retropubic midurethral sling (MUS) procedure.
METHODS: This prospective cohort study took place over 8 months at the Icahn School of Medicine, New York, USA. During the first 4 months, all retropubic MUS procedures were performed by residents who underwent immediate preoperative simulation training. The cases completed during the following 4 months were performed by residents who had not received preoperative simulation training. During the 8-month period, residents completed self-assessment questionnaires upon completion of the surgery and attendings evaluated the residents using the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) global rating scale. Operative time between the two periods were compared using two-sample Student's t test. Comparative analysis between groups was performed based on the OSATS scores using the Wilcoxon rank-sum nonparametric test.
RESULTS: There were 22 cases in the simulation group (SG) and 20 in the no simulation group (NSG). SG mean operative time was 12.6 min and NSG mean operative time was 14.6 min (p = 0.12). The SG mean OSATS score was 30.4 versus NSG of 27.8 (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that preoperative simulation significantly improves operative performance of the retropubic MUS procedure among residents and also improves their confidence in the operating room. There was a decrease in mean operative time of 2 min in the SG, but the difference was not statistically significant. This data is consistent in demonstrating improved surgical performance and resident confidence with simulation training.