1 vs 3 days laparoscopic suturing courses: is it feasible to design a valid training curriculum?

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic skills are unlikely to be achieved exclusively in the operating theatre, so simulation training has become mandatory to acquire specific psychomotor skills to be merged in a more complex procedure. OBJECTIVE: To compare 3-day vs. 1-day laparoscopic suturing courses and to better address participants’ needs according to their level of experience. METHODS: Observational cohort study conducted between January 2017 and December 2018 including 107 participants amongst which 61 attended a 3-day and 46 the 1-day suturing course. RESULTS: Data analysis showed no significant difference in the pre-test suturing scores between the two groups. On each course, when comparing the pre- and post-tests results, the participants reached a statistically significant improvement in both precision and knotting score (p< 0.01). However, when comparing the two types of courses, the data showed a better performance in the post-session test for those attending the 3-day course (p<0.05), as well as a higher mean score improvement (4.7 vs. 2.8; p<0.05) and time needed to complete exercises (-270s vs. -150s; p<0.05). Furthermore, grouping the participants according to their experience, the experts achieved a significantly better improvement attending the 3-day course, when compared to the beginners. CONCLUSIONS: Both 3 and 1-day course are successful in improving laparoscopic suturing skills regardless of the participant’s experience. However experienced participants benefit more from a longer course while the 1-day one should be dedicated to pre-surgical competences acquisition.