Laparoscopic Simulation Training for Residents in Obstetrics and Gynecology Over 12 Months

OBJECTIVES: As gynecology surgical cases are declining across the country, residency programs can benefit by training residents with simulation. We evaluate five Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) tasks over 12 months. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 16 obstetrics and gynecology residents. Residents practiced on a FLS simulation box trainer. They were evaluated on completion time and pass/fail performance for the five tasks of peg transfer, precision cutting, loop ligation, suture with extracorporeal knot, and suture with intracorporeal knot. Resident satisfaction with FLS simulation box training was evaluated. RESULTS: We found improvement of reduced time from baseline to 12 months for the tasks of peg transfer, precision cutting, suture with extracorporeal knot, and suture with intracorporeal knot. No time improvement was noted for loop ligation. We only found increased passing rates for the precision cutting task from baseline to 12 months. Residents agreed that simulation training improves surgical skills, improves patient safety, and improves confidence level in the operating room. CONCLUSION: We found improvement of decreased time with FLS simulator box training for FLS tasks of peg transfer, precision cutting, suture with extracorporeal knot, and suture with intracorporeal knot. We recommend that routine practice with the FLS simulator box trainer will increase resident confidence level and potentially improve surgical outcomes when in the operating room. We recommend including a dedicated portion of the academic curriculum for simulation training. FLS box training can be an essential tool for residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology.