Slovenská chirurgia 3/2012

Transferability of basic laparoscopic skills acquired during intensive virtual reality training module into realistic environment

Aims: To assess transferability of basic laparoscopic skills acquired within intensive virtual reality training module into realistic environment. Material and methods: Trainees included in this prospective observational study practiced well defined simple complex task on virtual reality trainer (15 repetitions). Identical task was performed prior and after virtual reality training in realistic conditions on box trainer. Results achieved were statistically tested for significant differences with significance level set on 95% (p<0.05). Results: 20 trainees participated in the study (13 males, 7 females; mean age 24.05±1.39 years). Mean duration of training module was 122.5±13.5 minutes. Time needed to perform task on box trainer prior virtual reality training was 420.2±143.8 seconds. Performance time after virtual reality training was shortened by 31.4±12.5 percent to 278.9±81.6 seconds. This difference was proven to be statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusions: Basic laparoscopic skills acquired during virtual reality training on the level of simple complex tasks in intensive training module appear to be transferable into realistic environment. As a result, virtual reality carries potential for utilization not only in postgradual but also in pregradual education and training.

Keywords: skills, education, training, laparoscopy, laparoscopic surgery, virtual reality.