The link between virtual reality simulation and laparoscopic surgery

Material & MethodsA search of Pub Med, google scholar, Ovid Elsevier and ProQuest database was carried out using the following phrase: laparoscopy , education , simulation , Virtual Reality and Endoscopic resulting in 136 articles. After exclusion of 109 articles, the remaining 27 papers were read in detail, and their referenceslists searched for further relevant articles, leading to the addition of 20 more studiesResults The first-generation simulators, such as the MIST simulator (Mentice AB, Gothenburg, Sweden), were designed for the trainee to manipulate an object in a three dimensional space, imitating the maneuvers used in laparoscopic surgery. In the second generation (2004–2006) of simulators the abstract models were redesigned to imitate biological tissue, thereby increasing the level of fidelity. In the third generation(2006–2009) the training of complete surgical procedures was offered in a high-fidelity virtual environment, shifting from solely training of psychomotor technical skills to also training of cognitive capacities such as knowledge of the surgical procedure and the regional anatomy. The latest, fourth-generation simulators( 2009–)such as the laparoscopic simulator (Surgical Science AB, Gothenburg, Sweden) combinesprocedural VR tasks with didactic learning programs on diagnosis, indications and contraindications for .an operation as well as anatomy in the surgical field ConclusionTherefore rapid advances in hardware and software technology should further allow for a better virtual : .reality experience and adaptation of this technology as an essential part of modern education

کلیدواژه ها:

laparoscopy ، education ، simulation ، Virtual Reality