The application of LaPRO, a medical simulator, for the development of fundamental abilities in endoscopic surgery

Objective: to improve the effectiveness of mastering the fundamental skills of endosurgery through the use of a specially designed LaPRO simulator to assess the learning ability of students, residents and surgeons. Materials and Methods: a medical simulator has been developed to teach students, residents and surgeons the basics of endosurgery. Its design features make it possible to teach basic skills of endoscopic surgery in conditions as close to clinical as possible. To test its effectiveness, trainings were conducted with the participation of specialists of various levels. The criterion for the success of using the simulator is the level of learning according to the proposed methodology, which is assessed by the time and quality of the tasks. Results: the level of acquisition of fundamental skills in endosurgery depends on the initial training of the student. Conclusions: the LaPRO medical simulator allows you to master the basic skills of endosurgery in conditions close to clinical. Uniform learning conditions ensure objective control of the acquisition of skills, and early student learning contributes to their effective application in practice.

1. Hanna GB, Mackenzie H, Miskovic D, Ni M, Wyles S, et al. Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery Outcomes Improved After National Training Program (LAPCO) for Specialists in England. Ann Surg. 2022;275(6):1149-1155. https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0000000000004584

2. Hiraki M, Kimura N, Kitagawa H, Kohya N, Samejima R. Laparoscopic Training for Gastrointestinal Surgery Using Japanese Traditional Papercraft Origami. Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech. 2022;32(3):401-403. https://doi.org/10.1097/SLE.0000000000001043

3. Rueda Esteban RJ, López-McCormick JS, Rodríguez-Bermeo AS, Andrade M, Hernández Restrepo JD, Targarona Soler EM. Face, Content, and Construct Validity Evaluation of Simulation Models in General Surgery Laparoscopic Training and Education: A Systematic Review. Surg Innov. 2023;30(2):251-260. https://doi.org/10.1177/15533506221123704

4. Savel’yev A.N., Zaytsev O.V., Kopeykin A.A., Peskov O.D. Modern Surgical Methods of Umbilical Hernia Repair: Literature Review. Science of the young (Eruditio Juvenium). 2023;11(1):107–118. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.23888/HMJ2023111107-118

5. Kilavuz H, Ahmed AB, Mohamud AM, Omer B, Ezberci F, et al. How Should Laparoscopic Surgery Training be Planned in a Resource-Limited Environment? J Surg Educ. 2025;82(5):103483. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsurg.2025.103483

6. Athanasiadis DI, Anton NE, Karim A, Colgate CL, Stefanidis D. Does the advanced training in laparoscopic suturing enhance laparoscopic suturing skill beyond fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery? Surgery. 2021;170(4):1125-1130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surg.2021.06.041

7. Lipatov V.A., Severinov D.A., Naimzada M.Z., Dragovoz I.S. Training of students of higher medical educational institutions in endovideosurgery skills. I.P. Pavlov Russian Medical Biological Herald. 2020;28(4):497-505. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.23888/PAVLOVJ2020284497-505

8. Mazikin I.M., Lapkin M.M., Voshinina N.A., Proshlyakov V.D. Influence of the brain lateral organization profile on effectiveness of sporting activity of a human and methods of its identification. I.P. Pavlov Russian Medical Biological Herald. 2016;24(2):117-126. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.17816/PAVLOVJ20162117-126

9. Kengen B, van Goor H, Luursema JM. Laparoscopic simulator performance and learning curves under different optical angles. BMC Med Educ. 2023;23(1):613. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04555-z

10. Sleiman Z, Bitar R, Christoforou C, Török P, Fichera M, et al. Is there proof of transferability of laparoscopic psychomotor skills from the simulator laboratory to the operating room? Results from a systematic review. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2022;42(2):181-187. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443615.2021.1904216

11. Ohtake S, Makiyama K, Yamashita D, Tatenuma T, Yao M. Training on a virtual reality laparoscopic simulator improves performance of live laparoscopic surgery. Asian J Endosc Surg. 2022;15(2):313-319. https://doi.org/10.1111/ases.13005

12. Łysak JM, Lis M, Więckowski PR. Low-cost laparoscopic simulator - viable way of enabling access to basic laparoscopic training for medical students? Surgeon. 2023;21(6):351-355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surge.2023.03.005