A comparison between randomly alternating imaging, normal laparoscopic imaging, and virtual reality training in laparoscopic psychomotor skill acquisition

OBJECTIVES: TO evaluate virtual reality as a laparoscopic training device i n helping surgeons to automate to the "fulcrum effect" by comparing it to t ime-matched training programs using randomly alternating images (ie, y-axis inverted and normal laparoscopic) and normal laparoscopic viewing conditio ns. METHODS: Twenty-four participants (16 females and 8 males), were randomly a ssigned to minimally invasive surgery virtual reality (MIST VR), randomly a lternating (between y-axis inverted and normal laparoscopic images), and no rmal laparoscopic imaging condition. Participants were requested to perform a 2-minute laparoscopic cutting task before and after training. RESULTS: In the test trial participants who trained on the MIST VR performe d significantly better than those in the normal laparoscopic and randomly a lternating imaging conditions. CONCLUSION: The results show that virtual reality training may provide fast er skill acquisition with particular reference to automation of the fulcrum effect. MIST VR provides a new way of training laparoscopic psychomotor su rgical skills, Am J Surg. 2000;180:208-211. (C) 2000 by Excerpta Medica, In c.