Implementation of a Canine Ergonomic Abdominal Simulator for Training Basic Laparoscopic Skills in Veterinarians

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The creation of simulation models that enable the training of basic and advanced skills has been a challenge in veterinary medicine. The idea of this study was to test a laparoscopic simulator initially created for the acquisition of an advanced laparoscopic skill, such as an intracorporeal suture for total laparoscopic gastropexy in dogs. The objective was to evaluate and validate the canine ergonomic abdominal simulator for the acquisition of basic laparoscopic skills; it was used by beginners without previous experience in laparoscopic surgery. The beginners’ performance on our proposed simulator was compared with a previously validated simulator. The simulator provides the acquisition of basic laparoscopic skills, reflected in the surgical performance scores, and improves the time metrics, number of movements, and angular displacement. In addition, it provides the acquisition of laparoscopic surgical skills in the same way as a previously validated simulator. This will allow those interested in acquiring both basic and advanced skills to practice on the same simulator. ABSTRACT: The validity of the CALMA Veterinary Lap-trainer simulator (CVLTS) for training basic veterinary laparoscopic skills was assessed and compared to a simple collapsible mobile box trainer. Ten veterinarian surgeons with no experience in laparoscopic surgery and four experts with at least two years of experience in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) were included. The training curriculum included object transfer, non-woven gauze cutting with curved scissors, and interrupted and continuous intracorporeal sutures, which were practiced on the CVLTS. The initial and final assessments were carried out in both the CVLTS and in a collapsible mobile simulator. These were video-recorded and evaluated by external experts using the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) and a specific scale evaluation in a double-blinded schedule. The time, angular displacement, number, and movement smoothness were recorded using a hands movement assessment system (HMAS). Through a survey, the face validity and content were evaluated. The data were analyzed by a Pearson’s proportions comparison or Mann Whitney U test and a bilateral Student’s t-test. The experimental group OSATS, specific scores, and HMAS values, with the exception of the smoothness of movements, significantly improved after training, with no statistically significant differences compared to the expert group. No differences were found between the two simulators. The experts’ and experimental participants’ CVLTS mean score was 4.8. Our data support the CVLTS validations for laparoscopic surgery basic skills training.