Effectiveness of 3D Box Model Trainers in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Training: A Controlled Study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LCs) are a common surgical procedure with significant variability in patient anatomy, making effective training crucial. Traditional training methods, such as cadaver and porcine models, have limitations including high costs, low reusability, and ethical concerns. 3D surgical training models have increasingly been used to supplement the surgical training of medical students. This study introduces a protocol to test such a training model for laparoscopic cholecystectomies, focusing on the capacity of the model to enhance surgical skills, confidence, and understanding among surgical residents. OBJECTIVE This study aims to develop a protocol for testing the effectiveness of 3D box model trainers in enhancing surgical residents' technical skills and confidence in performing laparoscopic cholecystectomies. METHODS First year surgical residents at the University of Florida will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group using 3D box model trainers or a control group with no training. Both groups will complete pre and post-training assessments, including confidence surveys, procedural step ordering, and anatomical structure labeling. Paired sample t-tests (P = .05) will be used for data analysis. RESULTS As of July 2024, our 3D model has been completed, and we have received an IRB exempt study status. CONCLUSIONS This study presents a protocol for testing a 3D box model trainer for laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Results from this protocol could support the incorporation of 3D box model trainers into surgical training programs, highlighting their potential to improve technical skills, confidence, and understanding of laparoscopic cholecystectomies among surgical residents.