Initial Construct Validation of a Laparoscopic Surgical Simulator

Abstract

Objectives: To determine if the METI laparoscopic surgical simulator can discriminate between novices and experts and to assess learning curves among novices. Methods: Twenty novices and 5 experts performed five repetitions on the following modules: place arrow, retract, dissect, and traverse tube. For each module, median baseline performance was calculated. Novices performed 35 additional repetitions to assess learning with practice. Results: Experts out-performed novices at baseline for completion time of the dissect, place arrow, and traverse tube modules, as well as for error frequency on the traverse tube and retract modules. Novices' performance times improved significantly with practice, approaching the experts' baseline in all modules. Conclusion: The METI simulator exhibits construct validity on three of four basic-skills modules when considering completion time and on two modules when considering error frequency. Among novices, learning occurred with additional repetitions. Whether acquired skills transfer to the actual surgical environment has yet to be determined.

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