The use of realistic surgical simulators benefits the surgical performance? A randomized prospective analysis

• Grant number: 12/17077-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): October 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): March 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Carlo Camargo Passerotti
• Grantee: André Filipe Miranda
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Undoubtedly, the upcoming of laparoscopic revolutionized surgical techniques. The improvements of the techniques and devices used since its beginning have turned laparoscopic into the considered gold standard method for a different number of procedures. Therefore, skill development in this field is essential to the modern surgeon. As well as the establishment of efficient learning methods is a necessity to medical education. The traditional surgical learning methods do not perfectly match laparoscopic teachings. Anatomic differences, the lack of bleeding, and the fundamental ethic issue are limiting factors to the use of human corpses and animals. As a result, realistic and virtual surgical simulators emerged from this context - and necessity. Virtual surgical simulators performed an important step on laparoscopic training and were widely discussed in the literature, in a variety of settings and situations. On the other hand, realistic surgical simulators were poorly discussed in the literature and there are no significant records concerning their benefits or disadvantages, or even a consensus regarding its validation in laparoscopic surgical education. Objective. Thus, this paper's objective is to analyze if the use of realistic surgical simulators benefits the development of laparoscopic abilities. Materials e methods. Tem students from Faculdade de Medicina da USP will be split into two groups: the first one will perform 5 laparoscopic cholecystectomies, and the second one will perform ten weekly training sessions with realistic surgical simulators and, afterward, 5 laparoscopic cholecistectomies. Both groups' results will be faced regarding bleeding, total surgical time, and time to perform each surgical step.(AU)