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LAP Mentor, shown in Fig. 5.8, houses a wide panel of modules, from basic
orientation tasks to simulated laparoscopic cases for multiple surgical specialties.
Basic tasks include orientation, various levels of suturing practice, as well as tasks
based on FLS modules such as peg transfer and circle cutting. More complex are the
procedural exercises, cholecystectomy, cholangiography, appendectomy, incisional
hernia, gastric bypass, sigmoidectomy, hysterectomy, vaginal cuff closure, and
lobectomy. For gynecology, there are additional “essential” tasks, including tubal
sterilization, salpingostomy, salpingectomy, and salpingo-oophorectomy. Figure 5.9
shows a sample screen for using a new tool in a procedure.
Once a module has been completed, an automatically generated performance
report appears, illustrated in Figs. 5.10a, b. Metrics are defined for particular
Fig. 5.8 LAP Mentor
virtual reality simulator
(Image courtesy of 3D
Systems, formerly
Simbionix)
Fig. 5.9 Lap Mentor
simulation illustrating use
of unique instrumentation
(Image courtesy of 3D
systems, formerly
Simbionix)
E.I. George et al.