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Abstract

This study focuses on an initial construct validation of the new da Vinci Skills Simulator (Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Sunny vale, CA). We found that the overall score and time score correlated significantly with prior surgeon robotic experience. Subanalysis of all data collected did include comparison of all exercises. The analysis did not group the individual exercises into the arbitrary categories assigned by the manufacturer, including: EndoWrist® Manipulation, Camera and Clutching, Needle Control, Needle Driving, and Energy and Dissection. Because these categories were made arbitrarily, we felt it was more useful to look specifically at which of the exercises can be used to discern among the novice, intermediate, and expert surgeons. Our subanalysis did include looking at all exercises using the overall score and time to completion metrics comparing the 3 surgeon groups. Because of size limitations of the publication, the entire analysis was not included in the manuscript. A complete analysis of all exercises across the 3 groups is shown in Table 1. Table 1Ability of each exercise to distinguish between the 3 experience groups Exercise Name Score Time Novice vs Intermediate Intermediate vs Expert Novice vs Intermediate Intermediate vs Expert Camera targeting level I X Camera targeting level II X X Dots and needles level I X X Dots and needles level II X X Energy dissection level I X X Energy dissection level II X X X Energy switching X X Match board level I X X X Match board level II X X Match board level III X Needle targeting X X X Peg board level I X X Peg board level II X X Pick and Place Ring and rail level I X Ring and rail level II X X X Ring walk level I X X Ring walk level II X X X Ring walk level III X X Scaling Suture sponge level I X X Suture sponge level II X X Thread the rings X X X Tubes X X “X” signifies a significant value (P ≤.05) using the univariate general linear model test. Open table in a new tab “X” signifies a significant value (P ≤.05) using the univariate general linear model test. Editorial CommentUrologyVol. 80Issue 2PreviewThe combination of the console of the daVinci Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Sunny vale, CA) and MIMIC simulation technology (MIMIC Technologies, Seattle, WA) has been a long-awaited development and will positively impact robotic surgical training. Full-Text PDF