Surgical Simulator, the LaparoscopyVR™: Running the Bowel (RtB) Module

Laparoscopy RtB Simulation

The goals for the LapVR™ Surgical Simulator's RtB Module are to develop technical and cognitive skills and dexterity for inspection, manipulation, and measurement of the bowel. These are procedural skills commonly needed during trauma, general, OB/GYN, bariatric, and colon-rectal surgery.

The RtB procedural skill allows for a student to use different two-handed techniques such as hand-over-hand and side-by-side. The LapVR RtB module is the only simulation with bowel mesentery. Adding the mesentery adds an extra layer of realism to how a surgical resident would manipulate and measure the bowel. This bowel / mesentery interaction is a very important experience to assist in the understanding of proper manipulation of the bowel to avoid injury.

Watch demo (2:31 min, wmv)

Virtual Aid for Measurement, click to enlarge

Stapler and Mesentery, click to enlarge

Virtual Laparoscopy RtB Training Objectives

The RtB surgical simulation module builds laparoscopic skills, helping the user:

• Learn to choose from different measuring options
• Improve dexterity in the hand-over-hand technique
• Inspect the bowel and find pathology
• Learn how to carefully handle the mesentery and bowel
• Use a stapler on the bowel
• Learn to choose the correct and most efficient approaches to handling anatomical deviations
• Learn to choose the surgical method most appropriate for the patient presentation
• Identify areas of strength and those needing improvement by using an automated end-of-practice assessment
• Obtain confidence in performing laparoscopic RtB surgical procedures before introduction to real patient scenarios