@article{9527,
  author = {Gunnar Ahlberg and Lars Enochsson and Anthony G. Gallagher and Leif Hedman and Christian Hogman and David A. McClusky and Stig Ramel and Daniel Smith and Dag Arvidsson},
  title = {Proficiency-based virtual reality training significantly reduces the error rate for residents during their first 10 laparoscopic cholecystectomies.},
  abstract = {<p><b>BACKGROUND: </b>Virtual reality (VR) training has been shown previously to improve intraoperative performance during part of a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of proficiency-based VR training on the outcome of the first 10 entire cholecystectomies performed by novices.</p><p><b>METHODS: </b>Thirteen laparoscopically inexperienced residents were randomized to either (1) VR training until a predefined expert level of performance was reached, or (2) the control group. Videotapes of each resident's first 10 procedures were reviewed independently in a blinded fashion and scored for predefined errors.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>The VR-trained group consistently made significantly fewer errors (P = .0037). On the other hand, residents in the control group made, on average, 3 times as many errors and used 58% longer surgical time.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS: </b>The results of this study show that training on the VR simulator to a level of proficiency significantly improves intraoperative performance during a resident's first 10 laparoscopic cholecystectomies.</p>},
  year = {2007},
  journal = {Am J Surg},
  volume = {193},
  pages = {797-804},
  month = {06/2007},
  issn = {1879-1883},
  language = {eng},
}