Assessment of a new kind of surgical simulator. The physical surgical simulator

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To evaluate whether the use of the physical surgical simulator may benefit the development of laparoscopic skills.Methods: Ten medical students were divided into two groups the first one performed ten weekly training sessions with a physical surgical simulator - ETX A2 LAP and, afterwards, one laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a porcine model, while the second group performed only a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Both groups were compared regarding bleeding, total surgical time, time to perform each surgical step and qualitative parameters, based on a previously validated tool.Results: There was no difference in any of the evaluated parameters.Conclusion: We did not find any evidence of benefit in the use of the physical simulator for surgical performance in medical students.(AU)