Do ‘standard laparoscopic box trainers’ represent real-life conditions during transperitoneal laparoscopical interventions of the upper tract?

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the representativeness of the conventional laparoscopic standard box trainers in terms of real-life circumstances in transperitoneal laparoscopical interventions of the upper tract, using questionnaire inquiries with experienced surgeons. Materials and methods: The study was conducted with 44 laparoscopists, whose level of renal surgery experience was either high (primary surgeon in >100 cases), moderate (primary surgeon in >50 cases) or basic (primary surgeon in >20 cases). We used the box widely preferred in international training courses, which consists of a 10-mm 30° laparoscope, real endoscopic instruments, light source, monitor and chicken bone materials. Participants were asked whether they represent real-life situations while performing tasks by means of standard box trainers. Results: The medians of ‘restrained body posture of the surgeon’, ‘position of monitor’, ‘trocars entry slots’, ‘tissue distance and region’ and ‘limited field of movement and restricted working space’ were analysed on their difference from the ideal value. All the variables were shown to be significantly different from the ideal value of 5 (p < 0.001). These results suggest that experienced surgeons in our study did not find the box simulation conditions similar to real surgery conditions. Conclusion: Conventional laparoscopic trainer box, which is currently being used, is far from representing for the real situation in transperitoneal laparoscopical interventions of the upper tract.