BASIC LAPAROSCOPIC GYNECOLOGY SKILLS AND PROCEDURES COURSE

Description

The aim of this course is to allow practicing surgeons as well as residents/fellows and medical students to acquire basic level skills in laparoscopic gynecology including hands-on simulation-based training of essential OB-GYN procedures. The course is designed in two components:

1. Proficiency-Based Basic Laparoscopic Skills Training

Training within a proficiency-based virtual reality curriculum may reduce errors during real surgical procedures. The basic skills training within this curriculum is based on Development of a Virtual Reality Training Curriculum for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (Darzi et al. British Journal of Surgery 2009; 96: 1086–1093). The aim of the training curriculum is for an individual to acquire skills and reach a predetermined level of proficiency before progressing to more challenging cases.

The study, conducted by the Department of Biosurgery and Surgical Technology at St. Mary’s Campus at Imperial College of London, defined, tested and validated a whole-procedure virtual reality training curriculum for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy on the Simbionix LAP Mentor™ using structured scientific methodology. The curriculum clearly defines a predetermined level of proficiency as well as defining the mode of training on the simulator.

2. Basic Gynecological Procedure Training – Personal Goal Setting

7 patient cases: Laparoscopic tubal sterilization, salpingostomy, salpingectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy. Trainees encounter a range of patient pathologies and gain experience with various techniques and surgical instruments. Included are a variety of complications and emergency situations such as bleeding at the implantation site, a ruptured fallopian tube and a blood-filled abdominal cavity.

Continued Training – The Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy Curriculum

The ‘Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy Training Course for the Simbionix LAP Mentor’ is an advanced GYN procedure curriculum for participants desiring advanced training. The course provides repetitive practice of surgical skills required for the procedure, in a safe and reproducible environment, as well as exposure to complications encountered during the laparoscopic hysterectomy procedure including ureteral and bowel injury.

Objectives
  • Practice and acquire competence in basic laparoscopic skills: Camera manipulation 0°; Camera Manipulation 30°; Eye-hand coordination; Clip application; Clipping and grasping; Two-handed maneuvers; Cutting; Electrocautery; Translocation of objects.
  • Practice fundamental GYN procedures: Laparoscopic tubal sterilization, salpingostomy, salpingectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy.
  • Encounter a range of patient pathologies.
  • Gain experience with various techniques and surgical instruments.
  • Learn to avoid and control complications and emergency situations such as bleeding at the implantation site, a ruptured fallopian tube and a blood-filled abdominal cavity.
Specialties

Gynecology

Target Audience

Practicing surgeons, as well as residents/fellows and medical students, interested in hands-on simulation-based training of essential GYN procedures.

Assumptions

It is recommended to include a cognitive skills module at the beginning of the training program. No previous procedural or technical knowledge is required.

Suggested Time Length

Suitable for 2 day training courses or for distributed training.

Authors

This course was written in collaboration with:

Larry R Glazerman MD, MBA, FACOG. Associate Professor and Director, Minimally Invasive Gyn Surgery. Co-Director, USF Center for the Advancement of Minimally-Invasive Pelvic Surgery University of South Florida College of Medicine.

Stuart Hart, MD, FACOG, FACS. Assistant Professor, Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Co-Director, USF Center for the Advancement of Minimally-Invasive Pelvic Surgery. Medical Director, Tampa Bay Research and Innovation Center (TBRIC). University of South Florida College of Medicine.

The Essential Gynecology Module was created in collaboration with:

M. Jonathon Solnik, MD, Director, Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, Assistant Residency Program Director, Dept OB/Gyn, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Assistant Clinical Professor, Dept OB/Gyn, The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

Prof. Goldenberg Mordechai, Roy Mashiach, MD, Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery, Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer.

J. Eric Jelovsek, M.D. , Assistant Professor of Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University.

Dr. Amir Szold, Head of Surgical Endoscopy Unit, Sorasky Medical Center Tel-Aviv.