- Fichera, A., Prachan, V., Kives, S., Levine, R., Hasson, HM: Physical Reality Simulation for Training of Laparoscopists in the 21st Century: A Multi-Specialty and Multi-Institutional Study. Presented at SAGES, April 2004; JSLS 2005; 9:125-29.
- Prospective study carried out to establish the reliability of the simulator in differentiating levels of laparoscopic experience and detecting skill improvement after clinical training
- Involved 40 individuals with varying experience from PG1 to Full-Time Faculty at the University of Chicago Dept. of Surgery and University of Louisville Dept. of OB/GYN
- Total of 45 tests performed using McGill Metrics
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- No difference in scores between institutions, handedness, or specialty
- Significant increase (p < 0.05) in coordination and suturing scores (combined as total score) with increasing experience at each level
- Significant difference (p < 0.05) in subjects who practiced with the LTS2000 in all three scores before and after practice
- Scores of the 5 PGY-3 doubled when retested after training.
- Conclusion: The LTS2000 reliably and reproducibly detects different levels of laparoscopic expertise and accelerates progression of the learning curve. The LTS2000 should be considered as a reliable alternative to virtual reality simulation.
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