LOW-FIDELITY, LOW-COST SIMULATOR MODEL FOR VIDEOSURGERY TRAINING

Abstract

Introduction: Teaching in conventional surgery has traditionally been based on the Halstedian model of “see one, do one, and teach one”. However, with the widespread success of videolaparoscopic surgery, the teaching method needed to be adapted to a novel “Do many, always mentored” model. The modern era of surgery demands sequential training with progressively increasing complexity and supervised repetition, in order to acquire specific skills prior to the first surgical procedure.

Objective: To develop a new experimental teaching and training with low cost and low fidelity platform for laparoscopic surgery using synthetic materials, and simple manufacturing.

Method: A platform was built using low-cost materials easily found in hardware stores, consisting of a wooden board and a few hardware materials (threaded bolt, wing nut and bolt, threaded hooks), EVA sheet (ethylene vinylacetat), white crafting paint, and felt-tip pen. The sample consisted of 15 general surgeons with more than 10 years of experience in videolaparoscopy. The evaluation began with an explanatory video lasting 20 min. Next, each surgeon performed 5 recorded tasks for later analysis and scoring. Skills were measured according to the stablished score.

Results: The developed platform was useful and capable of reproducing the tasks performed based on the program of Fundaments of Laparoscopic Surgery. All the surgeons of the sample group achieved the target time proposed for the program.

Conclusion: Was shown that the proposed platform can be built using easily obtainable and low-cost materials, and it proved to be an effective model for training in laparoscopic surgery, being easy to replicate and construct. Additionally, this platform can be easily adapted to various models of tasks using materials similar to those found in other training programs, that are widely practiced and have been globally validated.