Management of Bleeding Complications in Virtual Reality Laparoscopy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the impact of induced bleeding complication training with regular training on a virtual reality laparoscopic (VRL) simulator. Although bleeding complications occur rarely during laparoscopic surgery, they usually arise without warning and may have severe consequences for the patient because complication management training is not currently widespread. Third-year medical students (n = 41) were randomly selected for 2 curricular courses on how to perform a bimanual task on a VRL simulator. Both the regular training group (RTG) and the induced bleeding complication training (ICT) group performed 2 regular training sessions and 9 training sessions. For the ICT group the training sessions were with a bleeding complication. The 2 groups were comparable regarding their initial performance levels and improved significantly in task time and handling economics throughout the course (P < 0.001). When a bleeding complication occurred during the initial phase, performance parameters were significantly worse (P < 0.05). During a bleeding complication, the ICT group showed a significant improvement in time, handling economics, and blood loss (P < 0.001) throughout the training course, whereas the RTG group showed no improvement. Induced complication training has a positive influence on the management of bleeding on the VRL simulator. Structured laparoscopic complication management training should be implemented during surgical education as an add-on to regular procedural training.