No abstract

BackgroundThere is an increasing demand for structured objective ex vivo training and assessment of laparoscopic psychomotor skills prior to implementation of these skills in practice. The aim of this study was to establish the internal validity of the TrEndo, a motion-tracking device, for implementation on a laparoscopic box trainer.MethodsFace validity and content validity were addressed through a structured questionnaire. To assess construct validity, participants were divided into an expert group and a novice group and performed two basic laparoscopic tasks. The TrEndo recorded five motion analysis parameters (MAPs) and time.ResultsParticipants demonstrated a high regard for face and content validity. All recorded MAPs differed significantly between experts and novices after performing a square knot. Overall, the TrEndo correctly assigned group membership in 84.7 and 95.7% of cases based on two laparoscopic tasks.ConclusionFace, content, and construct validities of the TrEndo were established. The TrEndo holds real potential as a (home) training device.

There is a divergence between residents' objectified open knot-tying skills and self-confidence in these skills. The ASC improved open knot-tying skills according to the OSATS, however this improvement decreased after a 6-week period of autonomous practice. Self-confidence, in contrast, was maintained or increased. Further research is needed to correlate validated training programs with clinical outcomes and to determine whether residents' open knot-tying skills and self-confidence are retained beyond 1 year.

Laparoscopic skill of trainees as recorded by the TrEndo laparoscopic simulator grows toward an expert level during a laparoscopic training course in a large and heterogeneous study group. Construct validity of the TrEndo is established.

Background: Conforming to, among other considerations, legal and ethical concerns for patient safety, there is an increasing demand to assess a surgeon's skills prior to performance in the operating room in pursuit of higherquality treatment. Training in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) must therefore be intensified, including team training. New methods to train and assess minimally invasive surgical skills are gaining interest. The goal of this review is to provide instructors with an overview of available MIS training tools. In this review, we discuss currently available simulators for MIS training. Applicability, validity, and construction of simulators are reviewed. Also, some of the leading training programs and assessment methods in MIS are reviewed. Methods: A literature search was performed on studies evaluating surgical task performance on a simulator, reviewing satisfaction with laparoscopic training programs, or validating simulators or assessment methods. Results: Simulators may be divided into simple box trainers and computer-based systems, such as virtual and augmented simulators. All have advantages and disadvantages. An overview is provided of currently available training systems, validity, trainee assessment, and the importance of training programs in MIS. Conclusions:No simulator yet provides the ability to train the entire set of required psychomotor skills or procedures for MIS. A multiyear training program combining various simulators for multiple-level training, including team training, should be constructed.