881 CAN LAPAROSCOPIC SUTURING BE TAUGHT IN THREE HOURS—METRICS FROM AUA LAPAROSCOPIC SKILLS TRAINING COURSE

Abstract

You have accessJournal of UrologyTechnology & Instruments: Surgical Education & Skills Assessment (1)1 Apr 2013881 CAN LAPAROSCOPIC SUTURING BE TAUGHT IN THREE HOURS—METRICS FROM AUA LAPAROSCOPIC SKILLS TRAINING COURSE David Ludlow, Saleem Zafar, and Ronney Abaza David LudlowDavid Ludlow Columbus, OH More articles by this author , Saleem ZafarSaleem Zafar Toledo, OH More articles by this author , and Ronney AbazaRonney Abaza Columbus, OH More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2013.02.452AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Laparoscopy is a prominent technique in Urology. Laparoscopic suturing is an important skill but is complex and difficult to learn. We developed a three-hour laparoscopy training course modeled after a validated 2-day course. We assessed whether this abbreviated course could demonstrate objective improvement in laparoscopic suturing after only three hours of training. METHODS We established a laparoscopic skills training course offered in the last four years at the annual meeting of the AUA. At the beginning of the course, participants were given 4 minutes to laparoscopically throw an interrupted suture with one surgeonÆs knot followed by two square knots. Three laparoscopic tasks were then introduced from the validated curriculum. After explanation of each task and demonstration by the course director (RA), participants then performed the drills three times each. Participants were then instructed by demonstration only on performance of the laparoscopic suture and then attempted a post-drill suture three times with the same criteria as the pre-drill suture. RESULTS In total, 110 of 144 (76%) participants completed questionnaires and had data collected, including 73 practicing urologists, 9 fellows, and 21 residents. Among practicing urologists, the mean number of years in practice was 11.2 years (range, 0-40). Among the participants, 75% considered themselves as “beginners” or as having “no laparoscopic experience.” The mean previous experience with laparoscopic procedures was 24 cases (range, 0-400). Before training, 39% were able to complete the pre-drill suture in the allotted 4 minutes with a median time by those that completed the task of 2.6 minutes (range, 1.0-4.0). After training with the three tasks and demonstration of suturing technique, 82% of participants were able to complete the post-drill suture within 4 minutes in 3 or less tries with a median best completion time of 2.2 minutes (range, 0.8-3.9) [p<0.01]. Among residents alone, 30% successfully completed the pre-drill suture while 85% were successful after training. Those considering themselves “beginners” or having “no laparoscopic experience” improved from 26% completing the pre-drill suture to 76% completing the suture after training. CONCLUSIONS A three-hour training course can impact performance of even complex laparoscopic tasks such as suturing. Further evaluation is necessary to determine whether such skills gained in a short course lead to further independent training and eventual adoption in patient care. © 2013 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 189Issue 4SApril 2013Page: e363-e364 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2013 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information David Ludlow Columbus, OH More articles by this author Saleem Zafar Toledo, OH More articles by this author Ronney Abaza Columbus, OH More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...