Original Article
Comparison of Teenaged Video Gamers vs PGY-I Residents in Obstetrics and Gynecology on a Laparoscopic Simulator

Presented at the 57th Annual Clinical Meeting of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, May 4, 2009, Chicago, IL.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmig.2010.11.002Get rights and content

Abstract

Study Objective

To compare the performance of teenaged video gamers verses postgraduate year I (PGY-I) residents in obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn) on our video trainer laparoscopic simulator.

Design

Randomized controlled trial (Canadian Task Force Classification I).

Setting

Medical school university.

Participants

Teenaged video gamers and PGYI Ob/Gyn Residents.

Intervention

Laparoscopic simulator.

Measurements and Main Results

Fifteen teenaged experienced video gamers and 15 PGYI Ob/Gyn residents without video gaming experience were timed performing 3 laparoscopic simulator assessment procedures. Each drill was timed using a stopwatch. Pretest instructions were given as to how to perform each task. No warm-up was allowed, and each participant was tested during his or her initial performance of each assessment drill. Compared with the PGYI Ob/Gyn residents, the teenaged experienced video gamers completed the Bean and Pom-Pom Drop 27% faster (p = .05), the Checkerboard Drill 41% faster (p = .03), and the Bead Manipulation 31% faster (p = .43).

Conclusion

Virtual reality skills of teenaged video gamers seem to translate into improved video trainer laparoscopic skills. Previous teenage video gaming experience may favorably affect future residents’ ability to develop laparoscopic skills.

Section snippets

Methods

Fifteen teenaged experienced video gamers and 15 postgraduate year I (PGY-I) residents in obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn) were timed while performing 3 laparoscopic simulator assessment procedures. All 15 teenagers were aged 15 to 19 years, had been actively playing video games for at least 5 years, and had beaten the expert level of an advanced video game (e.g., Call of Duty, Halo, Need for Speed, Guitar Hero). The 15 teenaged experienced video gamers were children and their friends of the

Results

The median times in seconds to complete each assessment drill on the laparoscopic simulator are given in Table 1. Compared with the PGYI Ob/Gyn residents, teenaged experienced video gamers completed the Bean and Pom-Pom Drop 27% faster (p = .05), the Checkerboard Drill 41% faster (p = .03), and the Bead Manipulation 31% faster (p = .43).

Discussion

Advanced laparoscopic procedures are increasingly being used as an alternative to laparotomy in gynecologic surgery 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. A meta-analysis of 27 prospective randomized trials has proved the benefits of laparoscopic vs abdominal gynecologic surgery: decreased pain, decreased surgical site infections, decreased hospital stay, quicker return to activity, and fewer postoperative adhesions [11]. The percentage of hysterectomies performed abdominally has decreased from approximately 80% to

Conclusion

In conclusion, to our knowledge, this is the first trial comparing experienced teenaged video gamers with Ob/Gyn residents. Although PGYI Ob/Gyn residents had 4 years of medical school experience, teenaged experienced video gamers completed our laparoscopic simulator assessment drills 30% to 40% faster. Teenaged video gamers’ advanced visual and motor skills developed from extensive virtual reality computer gaming seem to translate into improved video trainer laparoscopic skills.

References (22)

  • D. Stefanidis et al.

    Skill retention following proficiency-based laparoscopic simulator training

    Surgery

    (2005)
  • C.L. Tsai et al.

    Acquisition of eye-hand coordination skills for videoendoscopic surgery

    J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc

    (1994)
  • R. Bell et al.

    A laparoscopic simulator tool for objective measurement of residents’ laparoscopic ability

    JSLS

    (2007)
  • E. Hamilton et al.

    Comparison of video trainer and virtual reality training systems on acquisition of laparoscopic skills

    Surg Endosc

    (2002)
  • J. Korndorffer et al.

    Developing and testing competency levels for laparoscopic skills training

    Arch Surg

    (2005)
  • A. Do et al.

    A warm-up laparoscopic exercise improves the subsequent laparoscopic performance of Ob-Gyn residents: a low-cost laparoscopic trainer

    J Soc Laparoendoscopic Surg

    (2006)
  • J.O. Walker et al.

    Laparoscopy compared with laparotomy for comprehensive surgical staging of uterine cancer: Gynecologic Oncology Group Study LAP2

    J Clin Oncol

    (2009)
  • J. Fanning et al.

    Robotic radical hysterectomy

    Am J Obstet Gynecol

    (2008)
  • J. Fanning et al.

    Feasibility of laparoscopic ovarian debulking at recurrence in patients with prior laparotomy debulking

    Am J Obstet Gynecol

    (2004)
  • J. Fanning et al.

    Laparoscopic cytoreduction for primary advanced ovarian cancer

    JSLS

    (2009)
  • J. Fanning et al.

    Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy for uteri weighing 1,000 g or more

    JSLS

    (2008)
  • Cited by (0)

    The authors have no commercial, proprietary, or financial interest in the products or companies described in this article.

    View full text