Comparing the portable laparoscopic trainer with a standardized trainer in surgically naïve subjects

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of the portable laparoscopic trainer in improving skills in subjects who have had no previous laparoscopic experience. Materials and Methods: Twenty-nine medical students were given a pretest of three tasks on a standardized laparoscopic trainer. Subjects were evaluated objectively and subjectively. Fifteen subjects were randomized to receive a portable laparoscopic trainer and 14 subjects were assigned to the standardized laparoscopic trainers at our facility. The portable trainer group subjects were advised but not required to complete at least 3 hours of training. The group at the facility had a proctored 1-hour session each week for 3 weeks. Each subject was then retested and evaluated with the same pretest tasks. Objective and subjective improvements between the groups were compared. Results: Baseline demographics and pretest scores were similar between both groups. All students in the facility group completed the three 1-hour proctored sessions. The po...