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. 2008 Jan;24(1):35-8.
doi: 10.4103/0970-1591.38601.

Task completion time: Objective tool for assessment of technical skills in laparoscopic simulator for urology trainees

Shashi K Mishra  1 , A Ganpule, A Kurien, V Muthu, Mahesh R Desai
Affiliations

Task completion time: Objective tool for assessment of technical skills in laparoscopic simulator for urology trainees

Shashi K Mishra et al. Indian J Urol. 2008 Jan.

Abstract

Context: Laparoscopic surgical simulation is a valuable training tool for urology trainees.

Aims: We assessed the validity of task completion time (TCT) as an objective tool for practicing and acquiring technical skills in a simulated laparoscopy environment.

Materials and methods: Fifteen participants comprising postgraduate urology trainees from first to third year (n = 12), urology fellow (n = 1) and consultants (n = 2) underwent basic laparoscopic training on the "Beetle Universal" endotrainer. Training included 10 attempts each comprising four tasks; placing a ball in a cup (Task 1), threading five rings (Task 2), threading five balls (Task 3) and tying a suture (Task 4). Individual task (IT) time was measured. The TCT was defined as sum of IT time for a single attempt.

Statistical analysis used: Statistical analysis was done by Pearson's correlation coefficient and student's t test using SPSS software 10.

Results: The average TCT for the first attempt to complete the four tasks by the participants was 76.5 +/- 13.0 min (range 38 to 92.5, skew -1.8), compared to the 10(th) attempt 33 +/- 4.23 min (range 25 to 38.5, skew -0.5). There was statistically significant correlation (r = mean -0.91, range -0.97 to -.83, skew -0.5), (P = < 0.001) between the number of attempts and decreasing TCT for all participants. Correlation decreased when TCT between the sixth to 10(th) attempt was compared (r = mean -0.67, range -0.99 to 0.76).

Conclusions: The TCT is practical, easy and a valid objective tool for assessing acquired technical skills of urology trainees in a laparoscopic simulated environment.

Keywords: Beetle universal; endotrainer; laparoscopy; simulation; task completion time.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Beetle universal (ethicon endo-surgery)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Tasks view on screen, Left upper corner (Task 1), Right upper corner (Task 2), Left lower corner (Task 3), Right lower corner (Task 4)
Figure 3
Figure 3
TCT comparison at first, sixth and 10th attempt
Figure 4
Figure 4
TCT comparison with trainee experience
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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