Do fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery (FLS) and LapVR evaluation metrics predict intra-operative performance?

• Main Author: Steigerwald, Sarah
• Other Authors: Vergis, Ashley (Surgery)
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: Assessment; Surgical; Laparoscopic; Simulation; Education
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1993/23199

Background: Considerable resources have been invested in low and high fidelity simulators in surgical training. The purpose of this study was to establish construct and predictive validity for the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS, low fidelity box trainer) and LapVR (high fidelity virtually reality) training systems and to establish construct validity for two operative ratings scales (GOALS and OSATS) in our center. Methods: 26 participants performed tasks from the FLS program and the LapVR simulator as well as a human laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Performance was evaluated using FLS and LapVR metrics, and the previously validated global rating scales. Results: GOALS and OSATS demonstrated construct validity. Construct and predictive validity was also strongly demonstrated for FLS tasks but only indeterminately for LapVR. Conclusions: The high cost LapVR remains experimental in resource constrained training programs. Efforts should be focused on utilizing the well-validated, lower cost FLS video trainer for assessment of laparoscopic skills.