• Fredrik H Halvorsen, Erik Fosse, and Odd Mjåland.
• Department of Surgery, SSHF Kristiansand, Norway.
• Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2011 Dec 1;21(6):458-61.

BackgroundNumerous studies have been published showing the effect of virtual reality simulator training on laparoscopic skills. Most of these studies have not focused on simulator training in a nonsupervised setting.ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to investigate whether virtual reality simulation training alone increases basic laparoscopic suturing skills.DesignAfter an instructional video, a pretest involving suturing of bovine intestines was performed. The participants were then randomised into 2 groups. The study group received 4 training sessions on a virtual reality simulator whereas the other group received no training. After the training period, the suturing test was repeated.SettingCentral Hospital, Norway.ParticipantsTwenty-six internship candidates, of which 22 completed the study.ResultsBoth groups increased their suturing skills significantly when comparing the results of the 2 tests; however, no difference was found in the increase of skills between the groups.ConclusionsThis study indicates that virtual reality simulator training alone may not increase laparoscopic suturing skills.

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