Validation of a cost-effective appendicectomy model for surgical training. Issue 2 (May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yiasemidou, Marina; Glassman, Daniel; Khan, Khalid; Downing, Justine; Sivakumar, Rangasamy; Fawole, Adeshina; Biyani, Chandra Shekhar
• Is Part Of: Scottish medical journal. Volume 65:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 46
• Page End: 51
• Publication Date: 2020-05
• Subjects: Training -- education -- appendicectomy -- laparoscopy; Medicine -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1177/0036933019900340
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0036-9330

Abstract

Background: Appendicitis is a commonly occurring condition worldwide. The gold standard treatment is appendicectomy. Although training models are commercially available for this procedure, they are often associated with high cost. Here we present a cost-effective model. Aim: To establish construct validity of a cost-effective laparoscopic appendicectomy simulation model. Methods: Three groups of surgeons were recruited; novices ( n = 31), of intermediate expertise ( n = 13) and experts ( n = 5) and asked to perform a simulated laparoscopic appendicectomy using the new model. Their performance was assessed by a faculty member and compared between the three groups using a validated scoring system (Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills [GOALS] score). Results: One-way ANOVA test showed a significant difference in task performance between groups ( p < 0.0001). Post-hoc comparisons after the application of Bonferroni correction (statistically significant p value <0.017) demonstrate a significant difference in performance between all groups for all GOALS categories as well as the total score. Effect size calculations showed that experience level had moderate (Eta-squared >0.5 and <0.8) and significant (>0.8) impact on the performance of the simulated procedure. Conclusion: The model described in this study is cost-effective, valid and can adequately simulate appendicectomy. The authors recommend inclusion of this model to postgraduate surgical training.