PUPPET MENTORING: A NEW SIMULATION SCENARIO FOR LEARNING SURGICAL ABILITIES

Surgical simulators are now able to teach in a way that the learning curve of young surgeons can progress in a lab faster than when using other teaching models (cadaveric or animal) or real patients. The impact of surgical simulators is confirmed by the fact that, in the US, standardized training courses are needed to acquire the Board of Surgery certification. The virtual simulator set up at the University of Genoa (eLaparo4D) is based on two key features: a convincing haptic feedback and a limited cost. Nevertheless, the main issue of eLaparo4D is the “simplicity” of the virtual scenario. To improve it, a new model of simulation is proposed in this project: the “puppet mentoring”, that might enhance its characteristics. The “puppet mentoring” is based on the recording of the movements of the surgeon in the real clinical scenario, that are transferred to the virtual machine. The apprentice, in his learning session, could be led through the operation by the simulator itself, in a scenario and in a way is the same of the real one.