Faster acquisition of laparoscopic skills in virtual reality with haptic feedback and 3D vision

Background: The study investigated whether 3D vision and haptic feedback in combination in a virtual reality environment leads to more efficient learning of laparoscopic skills in novices. Material and methods: Twenty novices were allocated to two groups. All completed a training course in the LapSim (R) virtual reality trainer consisting of four tasks: 'instrument navigation', 'grasping', 'fine dissection' and 'suturing'. The study group performed with haptic feedback and 3D vision and the control group without. Before and after the LapSim (R) course, the participants' metrics were recorded when tying a laparoscopic knot in the 2D video box trainer Simball (R) Box. Results: The study group completed the training course in 146 (100-291) minutes compared to 215 (175-489) minutes in the control group (p = .002). The number of attempts to reach proficiency was significantly lower. The study group had significantly faster learning of skills in three out of four individual tasks; instrument navigation, grasping and suturing. Using the Simball VR Box, no difference in laparoscopic knot tying after the LapSim VR course was noted when comparing the groups. Conclusions: Laparoscopic training in virtual reality with 3D vision and haptic feedback made training more time efficient and did not negatively affect later video box-performance in 2D. [GRAPHICS]