Background: Simulation may provide a solution to acquire advanced laparoscopic skills, thereby completing the curriculum of residency programs in general surgery. This study was designed to present an advanced simulation-training program and to assess the transfer of skills to a live porcine model.
Methods: First-year residents were assessed in a 14-session advanced laparoscopic training program followed by performing a jejunojejunostomy in a live porcine model. Previous and after training assessments at the bench model were compared to a single performance of six expert laparoscopic surgeons. Results obtained by trainees at the porcine model assessment were compared to those of 11 general surgeons without any laparoscopic lab-simulation training and 6 expert laparoscopic surgeons. In all assessments, global and specific OSATS scores, operative time, and covered path length of hands were registered.
Results: Twenty-five residents improved significantly their global and specific OSATS score median at the bench model [7 (range, 6-11) vs. 23 (range, 21-24); p < 0.05 and 7 (range, 4-8) vs. 18 (range, 18-19); p < 0.05, respectively] and obtained significantly better scores on the porcine model compared with general surgeons with no lab-simulation training [21 (range, 20.5-21) vs. 8 (range, 12-14); p < 0.05]. The results were comparable to those achieved by expert certificated bariatric surgeons. Total path lengths registered for trainees were more efficient post-training and significantly lower compared with general surgeons on the porcine model [7 (range, 6-11) vs. 23 (range, 21-24); p < 0.05] with no statistical difference compared with experts.
Conclusions: Trainees significantly improved their advanced laparoscopic skills to a level compared with expert surgeons. More importantly, these acquired skills were transferred to a more complex live model.