Resident performance in simulation module is associated with operating room performance for laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Effect of virtual reality training to enhance laparoscopic assistance skills

BACKGROUND

While laparoscopic assistance is often entrusted to less experienced individuals, such as residents, medical students, and operating room nurses, it is important to note that they typically receive little to no formal laparoscopic training. This deficiency can lead to poor visibility during minimally invasive surgery, thus increasing the risk of errors. Moreover, operating room nurses and medical students are currently not included as key users in structured laparoscopic training programs.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to evaluate the laparoscopic skills of OR nurses, clinical medical postgraduate students, and residents before and after undergoing virtual reality training. Additionally, it aimed to compare the differences in the laparoscopic skills among different groups (OR nurses/Students/Residents) both before and after virtual reality training.

METHODS

Operating room nurses, clinical medical postgraduate students and residents from a tertiary Grade A hospital in China in March 2022 were selected as participants. All participants were required to complete a laparoscopic simulation training course in 6 consecutive weeks. One task from each of the four training modules was selected as an evaluation indicator. A before-and-after self-control study was used to compare the basic laparoscopic skills of participants, and laparoscopic skill competency was compared between the groups of operating room nurses, clinical medical postgraduate students, and residents.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven operating room nurses, 31 clinical medical postgraduate students, and 16 residents were included. The training course scores for the navigation training module, task training module, coordination training module, and surgical skills training module between different groups (operating room nurses/clinical medical postgraduate/residents) before laparoscopic simulation training was statistically significant (p < 0.05). After laparoscopic simulation training, there was no statistically significant difference in the training course scores between the different groups. The surgical level scores before and after the training course were compared between the operating room nurses, clinical medical postgraduate students, and residents and showed significant increases (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our findings show a significant improvement in laparoscopic skills following virtual surgery simulation training across all participant groups. The integration of virtual surgery simulation technology in surgical training holds promise for bridging the gap in laparoscopic skill development among health care professionals.

[Construction and Exploration of Simulative Virtual Curriculum of Laparoscopy for Standardized Surgical Residency Training]

Laparoscopic operations have become an indispensable therapeutic measure in surgical treatment due to the emerging trends of minimal invasiveness and precision in the field of surgery. Laparoscopic skills have gradually become part of the essential skills for young surgeons and hospitals at all levels are giving high priority to laparoscopic skills training. The innovation and development of simulative and virtual medical technology has given rise to effective ways and platforms for the training of laparoscopy surgeons in China. Based on the laparoscopy simulative virtual technology, our hospital gradually developed a systematic training and evaluation system for the laparoscopy training of surgical residents by offering theory courses on laparoscopy, conducting simulative and virtual systematic training, and developing assessment criteria for the training. Herein, we presented and shared our experience in applying laparoscopy simulative virtual technology in the training of surgical residents in order to promote the standardized residency training of laparoscopic skills in China and to provide reference for the implementation of standardized training of laparoscopic skills.