LAPAROSCOPIC SKILLS ENHANCEMENT

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy requires a unique subset of surgical skills th at, for the inexperienced, can significantly delay the development of basic operative skills. We hypothesized that learning laparoscopic sut uring and knot tying would improve laparoscopic skills. METHODS: A lap aroscopic training seminar for junior surgical residents was establish ed to test this hypothesis. Emphasis was placed on laparoscopic knot t ying and suturing. Skills were assessed at the beginning and the end o f the course. RESULTS: All residents showed significant improvement. D ominant and nondominant hand skills improved by 30.2% and 26.9%, respe ctively. Two-handed skills improved by 58.6% and 30.1%. Overall scores improved by 28.9%. CONCLUSIONS: A structured laparoscopic skills cour se stressing knot tying and suturing is an effective way to develop de xterity and significantly improve the performance of laparoscopic task s. These improvements can be accomplished in a cost-effective curricul um that should enhance the surgical education of residents and speed t he acquisition of competent operative skills.