Abstracts DGAV Article Swipe
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· 2024
· Open Access
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· DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/iss-2024-2003
· OA: W4394572439
Background:Simulator training is an efficient training tool to develop surgical novice's basic laparoscopic skills.Currently simulator training takes mainly place in simulation centers at hospitals and universities.Additionally, most trainees have to use overtime for training purposes since it is mostly not included during normal working hours.Recent studies also indicated the possibility of low cost at-home training for laparoscopic surgery, opening up new personalized training possibilities.Such modalities support surgeons' initial acquisitions of basic laparoscopic skills as well as continuous development.Furthermore training at home could facilitate the possibility of skill retention, which might be important for longer times without specialized surgical training.This could for example include research time, maternity leave or gaining further education.Nevertheless, most currently available simulators are expensive and require additional equipment (e.g.monitors, stands, PCs) and, therefore, are not feasible for at-home training.Recently developed low-cost simulators show great promise to bridge this gap.We aimed to investigate if low-cost simulators are comparable to more expensive box trainers regarding surgeons performance and likability. Materials and methods:This randomized, open-label crossover multi-center study was performed at Dresden and Mannheim's university hospitals.Participants were randomly assigned either to the "Laparoscopy Boxx-Pro" (LBX) or "Lübecker Toolbox" (LBT) simulator and switched afterwards.The "Laparoscopy Boxx-Pro" is developed by the Dutch "Laparoscopy Boxx" company.The simulator consists of wooden parts, can be stored and shipped easily and is simple to build up.The simulator costs 309€ including instruments and does not have a built in camera device but allows for the use of a phone or tablet with a build-in camera.The "Lübecker Toolbox'' on the other hand is a laparoscopic box trainer produced by the German company "Lübecker Toolbox''.This simulator costs about 4,200€ without instruments and a screen.Each participant performed four laparoscopic tasks (Peg transfer, circle cutting, laparoscopic suture and knot, Balloon resection) on both the LBX and LBT.During the tasks, force exertion and completion time were measured using the ForceTrap system (Medishield B.V., Delft, The Netherlands).Additionally, errors were recorded, and the psychological workload was assessed using the NASA-TLX score.Furthermore, participants were tasked to rate the simulator regarding usability, view, and ease of performing the tasks in a self-designed questionnaire using a five-point Likert Skala, with one being the best and five the worst. Results:In total, seven abdominal surgeons, seven urologists, and sixteen medical students participated in the evaluation of the simulators.Of the 30 participants, the majority (80%) rated their laparoscopic skill level as beginners, whereas six participants (20%) rated their skills as proficient.The PEG task was performed significantly slower using the LBX compared to the LBT (192,1s vs 175,3 s; p=0.049).In contrast, the amount of time for the balloon resection were significantly faster performed with the LBX (compared to the LBT (198,6s vs 223,1s; p=0.049;).Similar, for the surgical knot and suturing taks a s18
