J S Sandhu1, Puneet Aggarwal2. 1. Senior Advisor & Head (Surgery) & Urologist, Command Hospital (Eastern Command), Kolkata, India. 2. Classified Specialist (Surgery) & Urologist, Command Hospital (Eastern Command), Kolkata, India.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Proficiency in laparoscopy is gradually achieved. After initial simulation, it is safe to move to real patients. Simulation improves the basic attributes of laparoscopy, and its non-availability hampers training. Virtual reality and commercial simulators are exorbitantly expensive. Cheaper non-commercial latest, mobile phone-based simulators appear ergonomically unsuitable. A need for a no-cost, home-based laparoscopic endotrainer was felt by authors. METHODS: The authors proposed the concept of smart TV and smart phone-based laparoscopy trainer (STELA), an almost zero cost, lightweight indigenous, cable-less box-type endotrainer, with a smart phone housed on the model, projecting to smart TV via Wi-fi direct. The simulation timings on STELA were compared with Universal Beetel endotrainer by a group of surgeons and residents using identical tasks like object transfer (OT) and knot making (KM). RESULTS: Data were analysed using SPSS, version 23.There was no significant difference in the mean timings of the residents (p > 0.05) on two endotrainers, for both tasks, and of surgeons for OT. Surgeons took significantly longer time (p < 0.05) in KM on STELA. Highest correlation (r = +.848) (<.05) was seen for KM on both devices by residents. CONCLUSION: STELA is a viable, technologically advanced, no cost alternative to the non-commercial cumbersome simulators especially for beginners.
BACKGROUND: Proficiency in laparoscopy is gradually achieved. After initial simulation, it is safe to move to real patients. Simulation improves the basic attributes of laparoscopy, and its non-availability hampers training. Virtual reality and commercial simulators are exorbitantly expensive. Cheaper non-commercial latest, mobile phone-based simulators appear ergonomically unsuitable. A need for a no-cost, home-based laparoscopic endotrainer was felt by authors. METHODS: The authors proposed the concept of smart TV and smart phone-based laparoscopy trainer (STELA), an almost zero cost, lightweight indigenous, cable-less box-type endotrainer, with a smart phone housed on the model, projecting to smart TV via Wi-fi direct. The simulation timings on STELA were compared with Universal Beetel endotrainer by a group of surgeons and residents using identical tasks like object transfer (OT) and knot making (KM). RESULTS: Data were analysed using SPSS, version 23.There was no significant difference in the mean timings of the residents (p > 0.05) on two endotrainers, for both tasks, and of surgeons for OT. Surgeons took significantly longer time (p < 0.05) in KM on STELA. Highest correlation (r = +.848) (<.05) was seen for KM on both devices by residents. CONCLUSION: STELA is a viable, technologically advanced, no cost alternative to the non-commercial cumbersome simulators especially for beginners.
Authors: Lauren H Poniatowski; J Stuart Wolf; Stephen Y Nakada; Troy E Reihsen; François Sainfort; Robert M Sweet Journal: J Endourol Date: 2014-01-16 Impact factor: 2.942
Authors: Dominik A Walczak; Piotr Piotrowski; Adam Jędrzejczyk; Dariusz Pawełczak; Zbigniew Pasieka Journal: Wideochir Inne Tech Maloinwazyjne Date: 2014-07-19 Impact factor: 1.195