Facts, Views & Vision
in ObGyn

Journal of the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy

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The European Academy laparoscopic significantly improves surgeons’ performance 

Z. Sleiman1, V. Tanos2, Y. Van Belle3, J.L. Carvalho4, R. Campo3

1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Middle East Institute of Health, Bsalim, Lebanon.

2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaeio hospital Andrea Avraamidi 55-57, Strovolos 2024, Cyprus.

3European Academy for Gynecological Surgery, Diestsevest 43/0001, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.

4Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CUF Porto Hospital Estrada da Circunvalação 14341, 4100-180 Porto, Portugal.

All authors are gynecologists interested in the field of training in endoscopic surgery and working in affiliation with the European Academy for Gynecological Surgery.

Correspondence at: zakinexus@hotmail.com"

Keywords:

Endoscopy, laparoscopic suturing, psychomotor skills, surgery, teaching, training suturing model


Published online: Sep 30 2015

Abstract

The efficiency of suturing training and testing (SUTT) model by laparoscopy was evaluated, measuring the suturing skill acquisition of trainee gynecologists at the beginning and at the end of a teaching course. During a workshop organized by the European Academy of Gynecological Surgery (EAGS), 25 participants with three different experience levels in laparoscopy (minor, intermediate and major) performed the 4 exercises of the SUTT model (Ex 1: both hands stitching and continuous suturing, Ex 2: right hand stitching and intracorporeal knotting, Ex 3: left hand stitching and intracorporeal knotting, Ex 4: dominant hand stitching, tissue approximation and intra­corporeal knotting). The time needed to perform the exercises is recorded for each trainee and group and statistical analysis used to note the differences. Overall, all trainees achieved significant improvement in suturing time (p < 0.005) as measured before and after completion of the training. Similar significantly improved suturing time differences (p < 0.005) were noted among the groups of trainees with different laparoscopic experience. In conclusion a short well-guided training course, using the SUTT model, improves significantly surgeon’s laparoscopic suturing ability, independently of the level of experience in laparoscopic surgery.