Surgical Science

Surgical Science Recognized Among Best Companies to Work For by Minnesota Business Magazine

Jennifer Rowell — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:39:56 +0000

Minneapolis, MN (April 25, 2013) – Surgical Science, leading developer of medical simulation training systems, has been selected by the Minnesota Business magazine as one of the state’s Best Companies to Work For in 2013. The annual ranking is a prestigious recognition of the state’s top 100 standard bearers in workplace culture and employee well-being.

“We’re extremely proud that Minnesota Business has recognized Surgical Science as one of the state’s best companies to work for,” said Tony Rubin, Vice President of the Americas division. “We’re committed to creating a culture where people are engaged and excited about their opportunities and an environment that supports innovation, teamwork and success at every turn. This award is a testament to the talented employees that have helped make Surgical Science a premier provider of medical simulation training.”

The award program, created in 2012, determines honorees using data gathered by a third party research group through anonymous employee satisfaction surveys. Companies are comprehensively judged in areas such as work environment, employee benefits, employee happiness and leadership.

About Surgical Science:
Surgical Science, established in 1999, develops high quality tools for the Assessment, Training and Certification of medical professionals. Using Virtual Reality simulation technologies, users are able to build skills on Surgical Science simulators that demonstrate and transfer proficiency from virtual reality to the operating suites. Surgical Science’s world headquarters are in Gothenburg (Sweden) with the Americas headquarters in Minneapolis, MN and offices in Mexico City (Latin America) and Toronto (Canada).

Contact:

Jennifer Rowell
Marketing Manager, Americas
+1 612.568.6541
jennifer.rowell(at)surgicalscience.com

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Instructor Feedback Versus No Instructor Feedback on Performance in a Laparoscopic VR Simulator: A Randomized Trial

Amy Meyers — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 19:43:03 +0000

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of instructor feedback versus no instructor feedback when training a complex operational task on a laparoscopic VR simulator.

RESULTS: Time (in minutes) and repetitions were reduced in the intervention group (162 vs 342 minutes; P < 0.005) and (29 vs 65 repetitions; P < 0.005). The control group achieved a higher performance score than the intervention group (57% vs 49%; P = 0.004). Men used less time (in minutes) than women (P = 0.037), but no sex difference was observed for repetitions (P = 0.20). Participants in the intervention group had higher self-perception regarding surgical skills after the trial (P = 0.011).

CONCLUSIONS: Instructor feedback increases the efficiency when training a complex operational task on a VR simulator; time and repetitions used to achieve a predefined proficiency level were significantly reduced in the group that received instructor feedback compared with the control group.

To learn more about the study, click here.

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LapSim Basic Skills: Catheter Insertion

Amy Meyers — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 17:13:27 +0000

This video show a simulated catheter insertion training exercise from the LapSim laparoscopic simulator by Surgical Science.

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LapSim Hysterectomy: Suturing the Cuff (Part II)

Amy Meyers — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:37:37 +0000

This video shows the second and final part of a simulated vaginal cuff suturing training exercise from the LapSim laparoscopic simulator by Surgical Science. The objective is to practice how to grasp and position the needle with needle drivers, to make a stitch, and to tie a square knot, in order to suture the cuff. To start the exercise, pull the handles back towards you. Then, control the camera using the mouse or a separate camera instrument. When gripping the needle, you can open the driver carefully until it turns yellow. In this state you will be able to turn the needle around its axis.

For more information about the LapSim technology, email info@surgical-science.com.

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LapSim Hysterectomy: Suturing the Cuff (Part I)

Amy Meyers — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:35:18 +0000

This video shows the first part of a simulated vaginal cuff suturing training exercise from the LapSim laparoscopic simulator by Surgical Science. The objective is to practice how to grasp and position the needle with needle drivers, to make a stitch, and to tie a square knot, in order to suture the cuff. To start the exercise, pull the handles back towards you. Then, control the camera using the mouse or a separate camera instrument. When gripping the needle, you can open the driver carefully until it turns yellow. In this state you will be able to turn the needle around its axis.

For more information about the LapSim technology, email info@surgical-science.com.

The post LapSim Hysterectomy: Suturing the Cuff (Part I) appeared first on Surgical Science.

LapSim Hysterectomy: Opening the Cuff (Part III)

Amy Meyers — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:21:03 +0000

This video shows a the third and final part of a simulated vaginal cuff opening training exercise from the LapSim laparoscopic simulator by Surgical Science. The objective of this simulation is to perform a colpotomy (circumferentially cutting open the vaginal cuff). Start the exercise by opening the vaginal cuff utilizing the monopolar scissors to create the colpotomy laterally. Move around and do the posterior and anterior colpotomies. Complete the left portion of the colpotomy, then divide the left lateral strands of the vagina to complete the left lateral colpotomy.

For more information about the LapSim technology, email info@surgical-science.com.

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LapSim Hysterectomy: Opening the Cuff (Part II)

Amy Meyers — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:16:11 +0000

This video shows a the second part of a simulated vaginal cuff opening training exercise from the LapSim laparoscopic simulator by Surgical Science. The objective of this simulation is to perform a colpotomy (circumferentially cutting open the vaginal cuff). Start the exercise by opening the vaginal cuff utilizing the monopolar scissors to create the colpotomy laterally. Move around and do the posterior and anterior colpotomies. Complete the left portion of the colpotomy, then divide the left lateral strands of the vagina to complete the left lateral colpotomy.

For more information about the LapSim technology, email info@surgical-science.com.

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LapSim 2013 Software Release

Jennifer Rowell — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:29:49 +0000

LapSim 2013 Software Release

LapSim 2013 is here and packed with new features!

New Basic Skills Exercise: Catheter Insertion

Practice how to make a surgical incision on a vessel and how to handle Catheter Forceps

Improved Appendectomy Module

New visual environment, adhesions and improved handling of the loop instrumentation

Additional Features:

New: Instrument choices in Handling the Bowel task
New: Video recording storage and save options
New: Directly import students from Excel files
New: Import multiple courses at one time
Improved: Navigational user interface
Improved: Certificate functionality

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Surgical Skills Simulation A Shift in the Conversation

Jennifer Rowell — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 20:41:34 +0000

An editorial article on simulation-based laparoscopic training, has been released by Annals of Surgery.

From the article:

With the publication of the article “State of the Evidence on Simulation-Based Training for Laparoscopic Surgery: A Systematic Review,” Zendejas et al have allowed the conversation regarding the skills laboratory and laparoscopic skill acquisition to shift from a discussion of “Is it effective?” to a discussion of “How can it be most effective?” Importantly, this shift in the conversation allows a vigorous focus on critical issues such as the timing to initiate simulation, how best to coordinate the skills laboratory with clinical experience, what type of simulators should be purchased, how to use the skills laboratory to assess proficiency, and how to avoid deterioration of laparoscopic skills. Before these questions are answered, it is necessary to understand why simulation-based training in laparoscopic surgery was inevitable.

To learn more about the editorial, click here.

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Proficiency-based Virtual Reality Training Shown to Increase Technical Performance in the OR

Jennifer Rowell — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 18:23:28 +0000

A study featuring LapSim has shown proficiency-based VR training increases technical performance in the OR, has been released by Annals of Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate an ex vivo comprehensive curriculum for a basic laparoscopic procedure.

RESULTS: Residents in the STAC group outperformed residents in the conventional group in the first (P = 0.004), second (P = 0.036), third (P = 0.021), and fourth (P = 0.023) laparoscopic cholecystectomies. The conventional group demonstrated a significant learning curve in the OR (P = 0.015) in contrast to the STAC group (P = 0.032). Residents in the STAC group also had significantly higher nontechnical skills (P = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONS: Participating in the STAC shifted the learning curve for a basic laparoscopic procedure from the operating room into the simulation laboratory. STAC-trained residents had superior technical proficiency in the OR and nontechnical skills compared with conventionally trained residents. (The study registration ID is NCT01560494.)

To learn more about the study, click here.

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