Abstract

Introduction:

Surgical training has been significantly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Trainees have had a 50% reduction in operating as the primary operating surgeon in 2020 in a review of UK surgical trainee logbooks vs 2019. 12% of senior UK surgeons identified as having their training “delayed due to COVID-19” at annual review of competency progression (ARCP). Adverse patient outcomes can occur if surgeons are not given adequate training. Medicolegal, fiscal and time limitation of teaching operative skills in the clinical setting impacts this further.

Methodology:

Design:
Supervision of surgical trainees performing several augmented reality (AR) simulated appendectomy or vaginal vault closures interspersed with LapPass® tasks utilising the LapAR™ by Inovus Medical Ltd (UK). 

Comparator: Benchmark score set by an experienced minimally invasive surgery (MIS) surgeon. Setting: A National Health Service (NHS) University Teaching Hospital in South London. Participants: Surgical trainees (Senior House Officers and Registrars) – qualified doctors of at least 1 year

Results:

All P values were <0.5 bar two trainees showing progression in skills based on ANOVA regression performed for significance testing.
N = 6 Trainees achieved an average of: 36.9% improvement in completion time 56.5% improvement in distance travelled.

Discussion:

Augmented reality simulation showed a clear ability to achieve skills progression in junior trainees. Further studies should aim to expand on the use of AR in different settings and populations and demonstrate translatability of metrics to real-world practice.