Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42257933›Full record

ArticleSurgical endoscopy2026

Effect of a structured virtual reality simulation curriculum on laparoscopic performance in a porcine cholecystectomy model: a prospective comparative study.

Moritz B Sparn, Dimitrios Chatziisaak, Bruno Schmied, Walter Brunner, Martina Vitz, Lennard Ströse, Dieter Hahnloser, Stephan Bischofberger

Abstract readComparative Study
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Surgical endoscopy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Moritz B SparnDepartment of Surgery, HOCH Kantonsspital St. Gallen, CH-9007, St. Gallen, Switzerland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5908-5454
Dimitrios ChatziisaakDepartment of Transplantation, Guy's & St Thomas's NHS Foundation Hospitals NHS Trust, London, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0003-7203-7822
Bruno SchmiedDepartment of Surgery, HOCH Kantonsspital St. Gallen, CH-9007, St. Gallen, Switzerland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4552-7386
Walter BrunnerDepartment of Surgery, HOCH Kantonsspital St. Gallen, CH-9007, St. Gallen, Switzerland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4344-3093
Martina VitzDepartment of Visceral Surgery, University Hospital Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 46, CH-1011, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Lennard StröseDepartment of Surgery, HOCH Kantonsspital St. Gallen, CH-9007, St. Gallen, Switzerland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0000-3179-1448
Dieter HahnloserDepartment of Visceral Surgery, University Hospital Lausanne, Rue du Bugnon 46, CH-1011, Lausanne, Switzerland. dieter.hahnloser@chuv.ch.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5595-4114
Stephan BischofbergerDepartment of Surgery, HOCH Kantonsspital St. Gallen, CH-9007, St. Gallen, Switzerland.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-8434-679X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundVirtual reality simulation training (VRST) has been shown to improve laparoscopic skills; however, evidence for structured simulation curricula remains limited. This study aimed to prospectively assess the effect of a structured VRST curriculum on laparoscopic performance in a porcine cholecystectomy model in novice surgeons.

methodsIn this single-blinded prospective study, novice surgical trainees (< 3 years of clinical experience) attending a basic laparoscopic course were allocated to either a structured, proficiency-based VRST curriculum or standard deliberate practice on the same simulator. Laparoscopic performance was assessed during a porcine laparoscopic cholecystectomy (Lap-C) by blinded raters using the Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills (GOALS) and a numerical rating scale (NRS).

resultsSeventy-one participants were analyzed (19 intervention, 52 control). Trainees completing the structured VRST achieved significantly higher total GOALS scores compared with controls (median 17.6 vs. 14.0; p = 0.013). All GOALS subdomains -including depth perception, bimanual dexterity, efficiency, tissue handling, and autonomy-were significantly improved in the intervention group. Subjective performance ratings were also higher following structured VRST (median NRS 6.7 vs. 4.8; p = 0.036). Inter-rater reliability for the GOALS score was good (ICC = 0.80).

conclusionParticipation in a structured VR simulation curriculum improved laparoscopic performance during a standardized porcine cholecystectomy model post-test compared with deliberate practice. Integration of structured VRST curricula into surgical training programs may enhance early technical skill acquisition and procedural proficiency.

Indexed as

Cholecystectomy, LaparoscopicClinical CompetenceCurriculumSimulation TrainingVirtual RealityAnimalsFemaleHumansMaleModels, AnimalProspective StudiesSingle-Blind MethodSwineCurriculum developmentLaparoscopic surgery trainingSimulationVirtual reality simulation training

Identifiers

PMID42257933

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.