Preoperative simulation regarding the appropriate port location for laparoscopic hepaticojejunostomy: a randomized study using a disease-specific training simulator.

Purpose: We verified the appropriate port location for laparoscopic hepaticojejunostomy using a comprehensive laparoscopic training simulator.
Methods: We developed a hepaticojejunostomy model, consist of common hepatic duct and intestine and participants required to place two sutures precisely using two different port locations (A: standard port location, B: modified port location). The order of tasks was randomly determined using the permuted block method (Group I: Task A → Task B, Group II: Task B → Task A). The time for task completion and total number of errors were recorded. In addition, we evaluated the spatial paths and velocity of both forceps. Statistical analyses were performed using a statistical software program.
Results: The time for the task, the total error score, and the spatial paths and velocity of both forceps were not significantly different between groups I and II. Furthermore, the port location and order of tasks (group I or group II) did not significantly affect the results. In contrast, there were significant differences in the performance between experts and novices, who were classified as such based on the total number of experienced endoscopic surgeries.
Conclusion: Preoperative port simulation in advanced surgery using our artificial simulator is feasible and may facilitate minimally invasive surgery for children.