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FUSE certification enhances performance on a virtual computer based simulator for dispersive electrode placement

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Abstract

Background

The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) has developed the fundamental use of surgical energy (FUSE) didactic curriculum in order to further understanding of the safe use of surgical energy. The virtual electrosurgical skill trainer (VEST) is being developed as a complementary simulation-based curriculum, with several modules already existing. Subsequently, a new VEST module has been developed about dispersive electrode placement. The purpose of this study is to assess knowledge about dispersive electrode placement in surgeons and surgical trainees in addition to describing a new VEST module.

Methods

Forty-six subjects (n = 46) were recruited for participation at the 2016 SAGES conference Learning Center. Subjects were asked to complete demographic surveys, a five-question pre-test, and a five-question post-test after completing the VEST dispersive electrode module. Subjects were then asked to rate different aspects of the module using a five-point Likert scale questionnaire.

Results

Mean pre-simulator and post-simulator assessment scores were 1.5 and 3.4, respectively, with Wilcoxon signed rank analysis showing a significant difference in the means (p < 0.05). Subjects were grouped by the presence (n = 12) or absence (n = 31) of prior FUSE experience and by training level. Mann–Whitney U testing showed no significant difference in pre-simulator assessment scores between attending surgeons and trainees (p > 0.05). In those with and without FUSE exposure, a significant difference (p < 0.05) was seen in pre-simulator assessment scores, and no significant difference in Likert scale assessment scores was seen.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated a new VEST educational module. Consistently high Likert assessment scores showed that users felt that the VEST module helped their understanding of dispersive electrode placement. Additionally, the study reflected a potential knowledge deficit in the safe use of dispersive electrodes in the surgical community, also demonstrating that even some exposure to the FUSE curriculum developed by SAGES provides increased awareness about dispersive electrode use.

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Funding

National Institutes of Health (NIH) / National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) Grant # R01 EB014305 DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A VIRTUAL ELECTROSURGICAL SKILL TRAINER (VEST).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA

    Michael Dombek & Daniel B. Jones

  2. Department of BioMedical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, USA

    Carlos A. Lopez, Zhongqing Han & Suvranu De

  3. Department of Surgery, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Alyssa Lungarini & Nicole Santos

  4. Department of Surgery, University of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA

    Steven Schwaitzberg

  5. College of Engineering and Computer Science, Wright State University, Dayton, OH, USA

    Caroline Cao

  6. Department of Surgery, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Jaisa Olasky

  7. Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 110 Francis Street, Suite 9B, Boston, MA, 02215, USA

    Michael Dombek

Authors
  1. Michael Dombek
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  2. Carlos A. Lopez
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  3. Zhongqing Han
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  4. Alyssa Lungarini
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  5. Nicole Santos
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  6. Steven Schwaitzberg
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  7. Caroline Cao
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  8. Daniel B. Jones
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  9. Suvranu De
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  10. Jaisa Olasky
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael Dombek.

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Disclosures

Michael Dombek, M.D., Carlos Lopez, PhD, Zhongqing Han, Alyssa Lungarini, Nicole Santos, Steven Schwaitzberg, M.D., Caroline Cao, PhD, and Jaisa Olasky, M.D. have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose. Daniel Jones, M.D. is a compensated Medical Advisory Board member at Allurion Technologies, Incorporated. Suvranu De, PhD receives support from National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) Grant # R01 EB014305 DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A VIRTUAL ELECTROSURGICAL SKILL TRAINER (VEST).

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Dombek, M., Lopez, C.A., Han, Z. et al. FUSE certification enhances performance on a virtual computer based simulator for dispersive electrode placement. Surg Endosc 32, 3640–3645 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-018-6095-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-018-6095-2

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