Efficacy of Goal-directed Minimally Invasive Surgery Simulation Training With the Lübeck Toolbox-Curriculum Prior to First Operations on Patients: Study Protocol for a Multi-centre Randomized Controlled Validation Trial (NOVICE)

Background: Laparoscopic surgical procedures have become increasingly established in operative medicine. They require special motor, haptic, and spatial-visual skills to perform the interventions safely and effectively. These minimally invasive surgery (MIS) basic skills are often learned in the operating room (OR) on the patient. This is economically inefficient and can be improved with regard to patient safety. Against the background of this problem, various simulators and video-box trainer have been developed in order to train laparoscopic basic skills outside the OR. The Lübecker Toolbox (LTB) curriculum is a video-based trainer including standardized and validated exercises with defined targets, based on the skills of experts MIS. Conducting MIS training outside the OR prior to performing the first MIS procedures on patients could be a sensible and valuable contribution to effective surgical education. An evidence of effectiveness in the practice transfer could have a considerable relevance with regard to the integration of MIS training programs into surgical education programs.

Aim of the study: The aim of the study is to investigate whether surgical residents without previous active experience in MIS are able to improve laparoscopic skills in MIS procedures in the OR, if they have successfully completed the LTB curriculum.

In the multicentric prospective study, will be conducted with surgical residents (SR) without prior active experience in MIS (n=14). After the SR have completed their first laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CHE), they will be randomized into two groups: 1) The intervention group will perform the LTB-Curriculum, whereas 2) the control group will not undergo any MIS training. After 6 weeks, both groups will perform the second laparoscopic CHE. Improvements in operative performance (between CHE I and CHE II) will be evaluated according to the Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skill (GOALS) Score (primary endpoint).