The laparoscopic surgical skills programme: Preliminary evaluation of grade I Level 1 courses by trainees

Introduction: New training models are needed to maintain safety and quality of surgical performance. A simulated setting using virtual reality, synthetic, and/or organic models should precede traditional supervised training in the operating room. Aim: The aim of the paper is to describe the Laparoscopic Surgical Skills (LSS) programme and to...

The laparoscopic surgical skills programma: Setting the European standard

This paper presents the overall outline of the Laparoscopic Surgical Skills programme (LSS) and the first level (LSS Grade 1 Level 1). In addition, preliminary results of the first LSS accredited courses are presented, of which one recently took place in Hospital Universitario de Santa Maria in Lisbon

Face and Construct Validity of the SimSurgery SEP VR Simulator for Salpingectomy in Case of Ectopic Pregnancy

Objective: To secure patient safety, skills needed for laparoscopy are preferably obtained in a non-patient setting. Therefore, we assessed face and construct validity of performance of a salpingectomy in case of ectopic pregnancy on the SimSurgery SEP VR simulator. Materials and Methods: Fifteen experienced gynecologists (?ESGE level 2) and 17...

Criterion-based laparoscopic training reduces total training time

The benefits of criterion-based laparoscopic training over time-oriented training are unclear. The purpose of this study is to compare these types of training based on training outcome and time efficiency. Methods During four training sessions within 1 week (one session per day) 34 medical interns (no laparoscopic experience) practiced on two...

Single versus multimodality training basic laparoscopic skills

Introduction - Even though literature provides compelling evidence of the value of simulators for training of basic laparoscopic skills, the best way to incorporate them into a surgical curriculum is unclear. This study compares the training outcome of single modality training with multimodality training of basic laparoscopic skills. Methods -...

Criterion-based laparoscopic training reduces total training time

The benefits of criterion-based laparoscopic training over time-oriented training are unclear. The purpose of this study is to compare these types of training based on training outcome and time efficiency. Methods During four training sessions within 1 week (one session per day) 34 medical interns (no laparoscopic experience) practiced on two...

Improving patient safety in image-based procedures: Bridging the gap between preferred and actual proficiency

For patients less invasive image-based procedures (IBP) such as laparoscopy have many benefits in comparison to traditional open surgery, such as less pain, faster recovery, and fewer scars. However, to perform IBP effectively, efficiently, and above all safely, the surgical team is highly dependent on technology. The interaction with the...

Visuo-spatial ability in colonoscopy simulator training

Visuo-spatial ability is associated with a quality of performance in a variety of surgical and medical skills. However, visuo-spatial ability is typically assessed using Visualization tests only, which led to an incomplete understanding of the involvement of visuo-spatial ability in these skills. To remedy this situation, the current study...

Influence of anatomic landmarks in the virtual environment on simulated angled laparoscope navigation

Background - The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of the presence of anatomic landmarks on the performance of angled laparoscope navigation on the SimSurgery SEP simulator. Methods - Twenty-eight experienced laparoscopic surgeons (familiar with 30º angled laparoscope, >100 basic laparoscopic procedures, >5 advanced laparoscopic...

Do Basic Psychomotor Skills Transfer Between Different Image-based Procedures?

Background - Surgical techniques that draw from multiple types of image-based procedures (IBP) are increasing, such as Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery, fusing laparoscopy and flexible endoscopy. However, little is known about the relation between psychomotor skills for performing different types of IBP. For example, do basic...

Risk-sensitive events during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: The influence of the integrated operating room and a preoperative checklist tool

Background - Awareness of the relative high rate of adverse events in laparoscopic surgery created a need to safeguard quality and safety of performance better. Technological innovations, such as integrated operating room (OR) systems and checklists, have the potential to improve patient safety, OR efficiency, and surgical outcomes. This study...

Camera navigation and tissue manipulation: Are these laparoscopic skills related?

Background: It is a tacit assumption that clinically based expertise in laparoscopic tissue manipulation entails skilfulness in angled laparoscope navigation. The main objective of this study was to investigate the relation between these skills. To this end, face and construct validity had to be established for the place arrow (PA) and camera...

Do absorption and realistic distraction influence performance of component task surgical procedure?

Background. Surgeons perform complex tasks while exposed to multiple distracting sources that may increase stress in the operating room (e.g., music, conversation, and unadapted use of sophisticated technologies). This study aimed to examine whether such realistic social and technological distracting conditions may influence surgical performance...

Abdominal cavity balloon for preventing a patient's bleeding

The invention relates to an abdominal cavity balloon for preventing a haemorrhage in a patient's pelvic region, comprising an inflatable balloon, wherein the balloon is pro vided with a smooth surface and with a strip that is flex- urally stiff and formed to follow the balloon's shape for po sitioning the balloon.

Expert and construct validity of the Simbionix GI Mentor II endoscopy simulator for colonoscopy

Objectives The main objectives of this study were to establish expert validity (a convincing realistic representation of colonoscopy according to experts) and construct validity (the ability to discriminate between different levels of expertise) of the Simbionix GI Mentor II virtual reality (VR) simulator for colonoscopy tasks, and to assess the...

Acquiring basic endoscopy skills by training on the GI Mentor II

Augmented versus virtual reality laparoscopic simulation: What is the difference? A comparison of the ProMIS augmented reality laparoscopic simulator versus LapSim virtual reality laparoscopic simulator

Hand supports to assist toilet use among the elderly

Improving the toilet environment holds promises for increasing the quality of life for elderly and disabled persons. This is one of the goals of the Friendly Rest Room (FRR) project. The study described in this article explored the preference and use of supports in the toilet environment during the entire toilet ritual. An adjustable test frame...