Baseline Assessments of Psychomotor Aptitude Are Associated With the Future Operative Performance of Surgical Trainees: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to investigate the association between validated psychomotor ability tests and future in-theater and simulated operative performance. BACKGROUND: Assessments of visuospatial ability, perceptual ability, and manual dexterity correlate with simulated operative performance. Data showing the predictive value of such assessments in relation to future performance in the workplace is lacking. METHODS: Core surgical residents in Ireland recruited from 2016 to 2019 participated in assessments of baseline perceptual, visuospatial, and psychomotor ability; Pictorial Surface Orientation (PicSOr) testing, digital visuospatial ability testing, and manual dexterity testing. Operative performance was prospectively assessed using the in-theater Supervised Structured Assessment of Operative Performance (SSAOP) tool, and simulation-based Operative Surgical Skill (OSS) assessments performed over a 2-year core training period. SSAOP assessments were scored using a 15-point checklist and a global 5-point operative performance score. OSS assessments were scored using procedure-specific checklists. Univariate correlations and multiple linear regression analyses were used to explore the association between fundamental ability measures and operative performance. RESULTS: A total of 242 residents completed baseline psychomotor ability assessments. Aggregated fundamental ability scores were associated with performance in submitted workplace-based SSAOP assessments using the Total Checklist score ( P =0.002) and Overall Performance scores ( P =0.002), independent of operative experience, and undergraduate centile scores. Aggregated ability scores were also positively associated with simulation-based OSS assessment scores on multivariable analysis ( P =0.03). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that visuospatial, psychomotor, and perceptual ability testing scores are associated with the future operative performance of surgical residents.

Attrition From a National Surgical Training Program: A Qualitative Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the trainee experience to identify some of the factors which contribute to attrition from surgical training. SUMMARY BACKGROUND: Not all trainees who commence a surgical training program continue and complete it. Surgical training can be personally and professionally demanding and trainees may, for a multitude of reasons, change career direction. Attrition from surgical training impacts upon multiple stakeholders: A decision to leave may be difficult and time consuming for the individual and can generate unanticipated inefficiency at a systems level. This project examined attrition from a national surgical training program to deepen understanding of some of the causes of the phenomenon. METHODS: A qualitative study was performed. A purposeful sampling strategy was used to identify representative participants. Semistructured interviews were conducted with eleven trainees who withdrew or considered doing so. A thematic analysis was performed to examine the experiences of trainees and explore the factors which influenced a decision to withdraw. FINDINGS: Five major themes emerged from the interview data: delivery of training, the training atmosphere, influence of seniors, concerns regarding progression, and the perception of the future role with respect to lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS: The personal experience of surgical training is crucial in informing a decision to withdraw from a program. Voluntary attrition is appropriate where doctors, after experiencing some time in surgical training, recognize that a surgical career does not meet their expectation. However, improving the delivery of training by addressing the concerns identified in this study may serve to enhance the personal training experience and hence maximize retention.

A systematic review of simulation in open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVE: Concerns about the long-term durability of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair and the requirement for explantation of stents in the case of infection demonstrate the continued need for open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. However, with the increased complexity and decreasing volume of open cases performed, maintenance of skills and training of younger surgeons are challenging. The aim of this review was to identify and to examine studies pertaining to open AAA simulation, with focus on methods and outcomes. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of the literature to identify primary research pertaining to open AAA repair through the use of simulators. The primary outcome was to identify predominant modes of simulator design and validated assessment tools that could demonstrate improvement in trainee skills. Secondary outcomes included identifying participant numbers needed to power studies and whether tools not validated externally contributed to the studies. RESULTS: There were 309 unique papers identified, from which five papers met the inclusion criteria. The selected papers used a combination of synthetic (commercial and homemade) and cadaveric simulators. A variety of validated and nonvalidated assessment metrics were used, including Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills, global rating scales, and realism surveys. Three of the five papers used blinding as part of their assessments. Mean participant numbers were 30.8 ± 25.7 and with the exception of one paper consisted entirely of surgical trainees in dedicated general or vascular surgery training programs. CONCLUSIONS: Several options are currently available for open AAA simulation, all of which demonstrate improved scoring metrics after simulator use. Validated scoring systems, the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills in particular, were most frequently used to deliver objective results. Whereas junior trainees derive the most benefit, senior trainees also showed significant improvements, demonstrating that simulation benefits all levels of surgical trainees. Low numbers of participants were sufficient to achieve statistical benefit within individual studies.

Visuospatial abilities and fine motor experiences influence acquisition and maintenance of fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery (FLS) task performance.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive surgery poses a unique learning curve due to the requirement for non-intuitive psychomotor skills. The fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery (FLS) program trains and certifies residents in such skills. However, innate predictors of FLS performance and maintenance remain to be described. This single-centre observational study aimed to assess for candidate factors influencing the acquisition and maintenance of FLS performance amongst a surgically naïve cohort. METHODS: Laparoscopically naïve medical students were recruited from pre-clinical university grades. Participants completed five visuospatial/psychomotor tests and a questionnaire surveying non-surgical experiences and personality traits. Individuals completed baseline assessments of FLS standard tasks followed by an intensive training course over week one and two on inanimate box trainers. A post-training assessment was performed in week three to evaluate acquisition. Participants were withdrawn from exposure and retested at four 1-month intervals to assess maintenance requirements. RESULTS: Forty-nine participants enrolled with 35 (71.4%) and 33 (67.3%) completing acquisition and maintenance phases, respectively. Mean age of participants was 19.3 (± 1.2) years with 68.6% female predominance. Participants demonstrated significant improvements in all five tasks during the acquisition (p < 0.05) period and maintenance of skills with task exposure at 1-month intervals. Significant predictors of skill acquisition included: card rotations for intracorporeal knot (p = 0.027) and combined tasks (p = 0.028) and cube comparisons for extracorporeal knot (p = 0.040). During skill maintenance: Card rotations predicted performance across all tasks (p < 0.05), Cube comparisons for tasks 1/2/4/5 (p < 0.05), PicSOR for peg transfer (p = 0.017) and grooved pegboard for peg transfer (p = 0.023) and ligating-loop (p = 0.038) tasks. Musical instrument experience demonstrated associations with skill acquisition in peg transfer (p = 0.042) and intracorporeal knot (p = 0.034) while video gaming predicted performance in these tasks (p < 0.05) during the maintenance phase. A sporting background or competitive personality did not influence skill performance. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple visuospatial abilities and non-surgical experiences positively influenced FLS performance during skill acquisition and/or maintenance. Further consideration to these individual factors may facilitate selection of more technically adaptable surgical residents.

Playing to your skills: a randomised controlled trial evaluating a dedicated video game for minimally invasive surgery.

BACKGROUND: Video gaming demands elements of visual attention, hand-eye coordination and depth perception which may be contiguous with laparoscopic skill development. General video gaming has demonstrated altered cortical plasticity and improved baseline/acquisition of minimally invasive skills. The present study aimed to evaluate for skill acquisition associated with a commercially available dedicated laparoscopic video game (Underground) and its unique (laparoscopic-like) controller for the Nintendo®Wii U™ console. METHODS: This single-blinded randomised controlled study was conducted with laparoscopically naive student volunteers of limited (< 3 h/week) video gaming backgrounds. Baseline laparoscopic skills were assessed using four basic tasks on the Virtual Reality (VR) simulator (LAP MentorTM, 3D systems, Colorado, USA). Twenty participants were randomised to two groups; Group A was requested to complete 5 h of video gaming (Underground) per week and Group B to avoid gaming beyond their normal frequency. After 4 weeks participants were reassessed using the same VR tasks. Changes in simulator performances were assessed for each group and for intergroup variances using mixed model regression. RESULTS: Significant inter- and intragroup performances were present for the video gaming and controls across four basic tasks. The video gaming group demonstrated significant improvements in thirty-one of the metrics examined including dominant (p ≤ 0.004) and non-dominant (p < 0.050) instrument movements, pathlengths (p ≤ 0.040), time taken (p ≤ 0.021) and end score [p ≤ 0.046, (task-dependent)]. The control group demonstrated improvements in fourteen measures. The video gaming group demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) improvements compared to the control in five metrics. Despite encouraged gameplay and the console in participants' domiciles, voluntary engagement was lower than directed due to factors including: game enjoyment (33.3%), lack of available time (22.2%) and entertainment distractions (11.1%). CONCLUSION: Our work revealed significant value in training using a dedicated laparoscopic video game for acquisition of virtual laparoscopic skills. This novel serious game may provide foundations for future surgical developments on game consoles in the home environment.

Visual spatial ability for surgical trainees: implications for learning endoscopic, laparoscopic surgery and other image-guided procedures.

BACKGROUND: In image-guided procedures, a high level of visual spatial ability may be an advantage for surgical trainees. We assessed the visual spatial ability of surgical trainees. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-nine surgical trainees and 61 controls were tested on visual spatial ability using 3 standardised tests, the Card Rotation, Cube Comparison and Map-Planning Tests. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-one, 236 and 236 surgical trainees and 61 controls completed the Card Rotation test, Cube Comparison test and Map-Planning test, respectively. Two percent of surgical trainees performed statistically significantly worse than their peers on card rotation and map-planning test, > 1% on Cube Comparison test. Surgical trainees performed statistically significantly better than controls on all tests. CONCLUSIONS: Two percent of surgical trainees performed statistically significantly worse than their peers on visual spatial ability. The implication of this finding is unclear, further research is required that can look at the learning and educational portfolios of these trainees who perform poorly on visual spatial ability, and ascertain if they are struggling to learn skills for image-guided procedures.

Liver transplantation in Ireland.

The Irish National Liver Transplant program commenced in 1993 in St. Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin. It is an adult-only program and is the only liver transplant program in Ireland. Pediatric recipients are referred to King's College Hospital in the United Kingdom. To date, almost 1000 adult liver transplants have been performed. Current 1-year patient survival is 93%, and 5-year survival is 79%. The program is fully funded by the government health service. There is a close collaboration with the United Kingdom Organ Donation and Transplant Directorate, and there is an arrangement for organ sharing for super-urgent transplants. Traditionally, organ donation rates have been high in Ireland. However, demand for liver transplant has increased over the past 20 years, and waiting lists are now lengthening. Deceased cardiac death donation is now being considered, but there are no plans for living related donor liver transplant. Donor coordinators have recently been appointed to the major hospitals in Ireland, and it is hoped that this initiative will lead to an increase in organ donation rates. Liver Transplantation 22 1014-1018 2016 AASLD.

Radiofrequency ablation for neuroendocrine liver metastases: a systematic review.

To determine the efficacy of radiofrequency (RF) ablation in neuroendocrine tumor (NET) liver metastases. A systematic review was performed following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Eight studies were included (N = 301). Twenty-six percent of RF ablation procedures were percutaneous (n = 156), with the remainder conducted at surgery. Forty-eight percent of patients had a concomitant liver resection. Fifty-four percent of patients presented with symptoms, with 92% reporting symptom improvement following RF ablation (alone or in combination with surgery). The median duration of symptom improvement was 14-27 months. However, recurrence was common (63%-87%). RF ablation can provide symptomatic relief in NET liver metastases alone or in combination with surgery.

Zone calculation as a tool for assessing performance outcome in laparoscopic suturing.

BACKGROUND: Simulator performance is measured by metrics, which are valued as an objective way of assessing trainees. Certain procedures such as laparoscopic suturing, however, may not be suitable for assessment under traditionally formulated metrics. Our aim was to assess if our new metric is a valid method of assessing laparoscopic suturing. STUDY DESIGN: A software program was developed to order to create a new metric, which would calculate the percentage of time spent operating within pre-defined areas called "zones." Twenty-five candidates (medical students N = 10, surgical residents N = 10, and laparoscopic experts N = 5) performed the laparoscopic suturing task on the ProMIS III(®) simulator. New metrics of "in-zone" and "out-zone" scores as well as traditional metrics of time, path length, and smoothness were generated. Performance was also assessed by two blinded observers using the OSATS and FLS rating scales. This novel metric was evaluated by comparing it to both traditional metrics and subjective scores. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the average in-zone and out-zone scores between all three experience groups (p < 0.05). The new zone metrics scores correlated significantly with the subjective-blinded observer scores of OSATS and FLS (p = 0.0001). The new zone metric scores also correlated significantly with the traditional metrics of path length, time, and smoothness (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The new metric is a valid tool for assessing laparoscopic suturing objectively. This could be incorporated into a competency-based curriculum to monitor resident progression in the simulated setting.

An objective evaluation of a multi-component, competitive, selection process for admitting surgeons into higher surgical training in a national setting.

BACKGROUND: Changing work practices make it imperative that surgery selects candidates for training who demonstrate the spectrum of abilities that best facilitate learning and development of attributes that, by the end of their training, approximate the characteristics of a consultant surgeon. AIMS: The aim of our study was to determine the relative merits of components of a program used for competitive selection of trainees into higher surgical training (HST) in general surgery. METHODS: Applicants (N = 98, males 69, mean age 31 years [range 29-40]) to the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland program for HST in general surgery between 2006 and 2008 were assessed. Clinical, basic surgical training, logbook, research performance, and reference scores were evaluated. A total of 51 candidates were shortlisted and completed a further objective assessment of their technical skills and interview performances. RESULTS: Shortlisted candidates performed better (p < 0.003) on all assessed parameters. Compared with candidates who were not selected for HST, those who were selected (N = 31) significantly outperformed on individual assessments and overall (p < 0.0001). Logistic regression analysis showed that clinical, technical skills, and research assessments, but not interview, predicted (92.2 %) HST selection outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Candidates selected for the national HST program in Ireland consistently outperformed those who were not. The assessments reliably and consistently distinguished between candidates, and all of the assessed parameters (except interview) contributed to a highly predictive selection model. This is the largest reported dataset from an objective, transparent, and fair assessment program for selection of the next generation of surgeons.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by liver transplantation for unresectable cholangiocarcinoma: a single-centre national experience.

BACKGROUND: Unresectable cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) has a dismal prognosis. Initial studies of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) alone for CCA yielded disappointing outcomes. The Mayo Clinic demonstrated long-term survival using neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by OLT in selected patients with unresectable CCA. This study reports the Irish National Liver Transplant Programme experience of neoadjuvant therapy and OLT for unresectable CCA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with CCA were selected for neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in a single centre from October 2004 to September 2011. Patients were given brachytherapy, external beam radiotherapy and 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu), followed by liver transplantation if progression free (20 patients). RESULTS: Twenty progression-free patients after neoadjuvant therapy underwent OLT. Hospital mortality was 20%. Of the 16 patients who left hospital, survival rates were 94% and 61% at 1 and 4 years. Seven patients developed recurrent disease and died at intervals of 10-58 months after OLT, whereas 9 are disease free with a median follow-up of 37 months (18-76). Predictors of disease recurrence were a tumour in explant specimen and high CA 19.9 levels. DISCUSSION: In selected patients with unresectable CCA, long-term survival can be achieved using neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and OLT although short-term mortality is high. Prospective international registries may aid patient selection and refinement of neoadjuvant regimens.

Incidence and risk factors of delirium in patients post pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Post-operative delirium is an important and common complication of major abdominal surgery characterized by acute confusion with fluctuating consciousness. The aim of this study was to establish the incidence of post-operative delirium in patients undergoing a pancreaticoduodenectomy and to determine the risk factors for its development. METHODS: From a prospectively maintained database, a retrospective cohort analysis was performed of 50 consecutive patients who underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy at the National Surgical Centre for Pancreatic Cancer in St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin and whose entire post-operative stay was in this institution, between July 2011 and December 2012. Two independent medical practitioners assessed all data and delirium was diagnosed according to criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Disorder (DSM), fourth edition. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: Seven patients (14%) developed post-operative delirium. The median onset was on the second post-operative day. Older age was predictive of an increased risk of delirium post-operatively. Those who developed delirium had a significantly increased length of stay (LOS) as well as a significantly increased risk of developing at least a grade 3 complication (Clavien-Dindo classification). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that post-operative delirium is associated with a more complicated recovery after a pancreaticoduodenectomy and that older age is independently predictive of its development. Focused screening may allow targeted preventative strategies to be used in the peri-operative period to reduce complications and costs associated with delirium.

Performance in Irish Selection and Future Performance in Surgical Training.

Importance: Selection processes for surgical training should aim to identify candidates who will become competent independent practitioners and should aspire to high standards of reliability and validity. Objective: To determine the association between measured candidate factors at the time of an Irish selection and assessment outcomes in surgical training, examined via rate of progression to Higher Specialist Training (HST), attrition rates, and performance as assessed through a multimodal framework of workplace-based and simulation-based assessments. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective observational cohort study included data from all successful applicants to the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) national Core Surgical Training (CST) program. Participants included all trainees recruited to dedicated postgraduate surgical training from 2016 to 2020. These data were analyzed from July 11, 2016, through July 10, 2022. Exposures: Selection decisions were based on a composite score that was derived from technical aptitude assessments, undergraduate academic performance, and a 4-station multiple mini-interview. Main outcomes and measures: Assessment data, attrition rates, and rates of progression to HST were recorded for each trainee. CST performance was assessed using workplace-based and simulation-based technical and nontechnical skill assessments. Potential associations between selection and assessment measures were explored using Pearson correlation, logistic regression, and multiple linear-regression analyses. Results: Data were available for 303 trainees. Composite scores were positively associated with progression to HST (odds ratio [OR], 1.09; 95% CI, 1.05-1.13). There was a weak positive correlation, ranging from 0.23 to 0.34, between scores and performance across all CST assessments. Multivariable linear regression analysis showed technical aptitude scores at application were associated with future operative performance assessment scores, both in the workplace (ß = 0.31; 95% CI, 0.14-0.48) and simulated environments (ß = 0.57; 95% CI, 0.33-0.81). There was evidence that the interpersonal skills interview station was associated with future performance in simulated communication skill assessments (ß = 0.55; 95% CI, 0.22-0.87). Conclusions and Relevance: In this study, performance at the time of Irish national selection, measured across technical and nontechnical domains in a multimodal fashion, was associated with future performance in the workplace and in simulated environments. Future studies will be required to explore the consequential validity of selection, including potential unintended effects of selection and ranking on candidate performance.

Development and evaluation of a simulator-based laparoscopic training program for surgical novices.

BACKGROUND: The use of simulation to train novice surgeons in laparoscopic skills is becoming increasingly popular. To maximize benefit from simulation, training needs to be delivered and assessed in a structured manner. This study aimed to define performance goals, demonstrate construct validity of the training program, and evaluate whether novice surgeons could reach the preset performance goals. METHODS: Nine expert laparoscopic surgeons established performance goals for three basic modules of an augmented-reality laparoscopic simulator. The three laparoscopic modules were used by 40 novice surgeons and 40 surgical trainees (postgraduate years [PGYs] 1-4). The performance outcomes were analyzed across the different groups (novice, PGYs 1 and 2, PGYs 3 and 4, expert) to determine construct validity. Then 26 recruited novices trained on the three modules with the aim of reaching the performance goals. RESULTS: The results demonstrated a significant difference in performance between all levels of experience for time (p < 0.001), motion analysis (p < 0.001), and error score (p < 0.001), thus demonstrating construct validity. All 26 novice surgeons significantly improved in performance with repetition for the metrics of time (p < 0.001) and motion analysis (p < 0.001). For two of the modules, the proficiency goals were reached in fewer than 10 trials by 80% of the study participants. CONCLUSION: Basic skills in laparoscopic surgery can be learned and improved using proficiency-based simulation training. It is possible for novice surgeons to achieve predefined performance goals in a reasonable time frame.

Improving disclosure and management of medical error - an opportunity to transform the surgeons of tomorrow.

INTRODUCTION: Human error is the major causal factor of industrial and transportation accidents and healthcare is not immune to the effects of human error. Medical error can be defined as the failure of the planned action to be completed as intended or the use of a wrong plan to achieve an aim. AIM: The objective of this literature review was to explore the practices of medical error management and disclosure by surgical trainees and to examine how to better prepare and educate the surgeons of tomorrow. METHODS: PubMed was searched to identify available literature. Preliminary search criteria included medical error and junior doctors, management and prevention of medical error. RESULTS: Fifty-two papers were included for review. Medical error is common and junior doctors are more vulnerable to err. Most serious errors occur in the emergency department, operating rooms and the intensive care unit. Improvements in patient safety result primarily from organizational and individual learning, particularly with reference to trainee doctors who present an enhanced level of risk. CONCLUSION: Junior doctors are a unique population, with a higher propensity to medical error. A transition from the current culture of 'name, blame and shame' is required. We need to ensure that the 'learning moment' is seized and that mistakes are learned from and not simply forgotten. Surgery has an opportunity to learn from high risk-industries and incorporate human factors training, into surgical training programs in order to better manage and prevent medical error.

Competency in trauma surgery: a national survey of trainees and consultants.

BACKGROUND: The current sparsity of surgical trainees' exposure to training in operative trauma surgery is multifactorial. This concern has been addressed in the revised Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme (ISCP) for general and vascular surgery (2021). In the lead up to its implementation, we aimed to assess both trainee and consultant confidence levels as a surrogate reflection in the core competency operative skills in general emergency trauma surgery, identify individual experience in commonly performed trauma procedures and gauge interest in a career in trauma surgery. METHOD: An online survey was circulated to general surgery and vascular surgery trainees and consultants. Self-reported competencies were assessed using a 1-10 confidence rating scale. Most questions were based on competencies in emergency trauma surgery as set out by the ISCP. RESULTS: Out of 251 surgical trainees and consultants, 119 responded to our survey (47.4% response rate). Less than half (44.1%; n = 52) of respondents had experienced a trauma thoracotomy. Respondents scored 'somewhat' or 'not at all' competent in the majority of competencies assessed. CONCLUSION: Self-reported competencies in operative trauma skills across all subgroups were sub-standard with incremental levels of perceived competence proportional to years of surgical training. Our data supports the necessity of the new curriculum, in addition to modern training pathways with direct exposure to operative trauma surgery involving dedicated trauma centres and networks, and responsibility of training pathways in the provision of training trauma surgery.

A National Needs Assessment in Simulation Based Training in Vascular Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this research was to ascertain the highest need areas for vascular simulation, in order to tailor training for the highest impact. DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: A needs assessment was conducted according to best practices using the Delphi method. All consultant vascular surgeons/trainers in the training jurisdiction (n=33) were approached through an independent intermediary to contribute and generate a prioritized list of procedures for training. The research team were blinded to participant identities. Three rounds were conducted according to the Delphi process and scored according to the Copenhagen Needs Assessment Formula (CAMES-NAF). RESULTS: A final list of 34 vascular procedures was selected and prioritized by surgical trainers. Principles of arterial repair and endarterectomy/patching were considered the highest priority. Complex major interventions such as open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair, carotid endarterectomy, and endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) consistently ranked higher than rarer, such as first rib resection and more basic procedures, such as foam injection for varicose veins. Major lower limb amputations typically ranked lower overall compared to arterial interventions. Surgical trainers generally agreed with the ranking according to the CAMES-NAF. There was some disagreement for a select few procedures such as iliac stenting (which rose 13 places) and open radial artery exposure (which fell 6 places) on subsequent iterations. CONCLUSIONS: Core operative principles and common major operative cases should remain the priority for vascular technical skills training. Other procedures which may be less invasive, but have the potential for major complications should also not be overlooked. In designing simulators the main focus should center on specific skill acquisition for commonly performed major procedures and management of the recognized potential complications. Lower limb amputations are considered adequately taught in clinical practice, or are too challenging to simulate in simulator models apart from cadaveric models.

Assessment of the role of aptitude in the acquisition of advanced laparoscopic surgical skill sets: results from a virtual reality-based laparoscopic colectomy training programme.

PURPOSE: The surgeons of the future will need to have advanced laparoscopic skills. The current challenge in surgical education is to teach these skills and to identify factors that may have a positive influence on training curriculums. The primary aim of this study was to determine if fundamental aptitude impacts on ability to perform a laparoscopic colectomy. METHODS: A practical laparoscopic colectomy course was held by the National Surgical Training Centre at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. The course consisted of didactics, warm-up and the performance of a laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy on thesimulator. Objective metrics such as time and motion analysis were recorded. Each candidate had their psychomotor and visual spatial aptitude assessed. The colectomy trays were assessed by blinded experts post procedure for errors. RESULTS: Ten trainee surgeons that were novices with respect to advanced laparoscopic procedures attended the course. A significant correlation was found between psychomotor and visual spatial aptitude and performance on both the warm-up session and laparoscopic colectomy (r > 0.7, p < 0.05). Performance on the warm-up session correlated with performance of the laparoscopic colectomy (r = 0.8, p = 0.04). There was also a significant correlation between the number of tray errors and time taken to perform the laparoscopic colectomy (r = 0.83, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results have demonstrated that there is a relationship between aptitude and ability to perform both basic laparoscopic tasks and laparoscopic colectomy on a simulator. The findings suggest that there may be a role for the consideration of an individual's inherent baseline ability when trying to design and optimise technical teaching curricula for advanced laparoscopic procedures.

Factors influencing microsurgical skill acquisition during a dedicated training course.

BACKGROUND: Proficient microsurgical skills are considered essential in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Specialized courses offer trainees opportunity to improve their technical skills. Trainee aptitude may play an important role in the ability of a trainee to acquire proficient skills as individuals have differing fundamental abilities. We delivered an intensive 5-day microsurgical training course. We objectively assessed the impact of the course on microsurgical skill acquisition and whether aptitudes as assessed with psychometric tests were related to surgical performance. METHODS: Sixteen surgical trainees (male = 10 and female = 6) participated in the courses. Trainees' visual spatial, perceptual, and psychomotor aptitudes were assessed on day 1 of the course. The trainees' performance of an end-to-end arterial anastomosis was assessed on days 2 and 5. Surgical performance was assessed with objective structured assessment of technical skills(OSATS) and time to complete the task. RESULTS: The trainees showed a significant improvement in OSATS scores from days 2 to 5 (P < 0.001) and the time taken to complete the anastomosis (P < 0.001). Aptitude scores correlated strongly with objectively assessed microsurgical skill performance for male trainees but not for females. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that participating in a microsurgical training course results in significant improvement in objectively assessed microvascular surgical skills. The degree of skills improvement was strongly correlated with psychomotor aptitude assessments scores for male trainees.