Video games as a method of training basic laparoscopic skills.

Abstract

The use of video games has been proposed as an alternative to shorten the learning curve of basic laparoscopic skills. However, it is not yet clar how useful this practice is. We searched in Epistemonikos, the largest database of systematic reviews in health, which is maintained by screening multiple information sources, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, among others. We extracted data from the systematic reviews, reanalyzed data of primary studies, conducted a meta-analysis and generated a summary of findings table using the GRADE approach. We identified three systematic reviews including eight primary studies, of which four were randomized trials. We concluded video games training could help shorten the learning curve of basic laparoscopic visuospatial skills measured in a virtual platform, but the certainty of the available evidence is low.