An integrated laparoscopic simulator (i-Sim™) to develop surgical skills outside the operating theatre: A novel means to improve training facilities in the UK

BackgroundMinimal access surgery (MAS) is increasingly replacing open surgery. However, access to training in laparoscopy remains lacking. We propose the use of a novel and integrated laparoscopic simulator (i-Sim™) to develop surgical skills.ObjectivesThis pilot study set out to evaluate access to laparoscopic training facilities in the UK. It was then examined whether i-Sim™ might be a better alternative to the mannequin/box trainer with stack system.MethodsQuestionnaires were sent to consultants and trainees in urology, general surgery and gynaecology to survey current access to laparoscopic training in the UK. A further group was requested to give feature scores for i-Sim™ compared to a conventional mannequin/box trainer with stack system.ResultsOf those with laparoscopic experience, 36% believed they had opportunities in laparoscopic training only during operations while 17% felt they had no access to training facilities for laparoscopy. Overall, 93% thought a laparoscopic simulator would be useful for training. In the second survey, feature (set-up, image quality, user-friendliness, ease to change tasks, portability, different locations, storage) scores were given; i-Sim™ scored a significantly higher (p < 0.0001) satisfaction rating than the mannequin/box trainer with stack system.ConclusionsThere is a paucity of regular training facilities for MAS in the UK and there was an exceptionally strong agreement among our participants that regular training on laparoscopic simulators would be useful. Additionally, i-Sim™ offers the possibility of a readily accessible alternative to current training approaches to laparoscopy.