How to improve your laparoscopic skills quickly

Abstract

An ideal learning curve ascends through laboratory training, attending structured instructional courses, performing surgeries under supervision of a qualified mentor, followed by performance of cases which are properly selected. Various pelvic trainers such as mechanical trainer, hybrid trainer, and virtual reality trainer in the skills laboratory do help the novices to acquire the basic laparoscopic skills and the video eye-hand coordination. Specialized models for individual procedures (urethrovesical anastomosis, donor nephrectomy, pyeloplasty, etc.) can be easily devised, and boost the trainee's confidence and help in troubleshooting just prior to the procedure. Mentoring is a key component of any laparoscopic training program. A trainee can be mentored in ways of instructional courses, videotape, mutual mentoring, supervised clinical training, telesurgical mentoring, and proper case selection; nevertheless, the obstacles with mentoring lie in commitment from both the trainee and the mentoring surgeon.