A comparison of effect of 2D and 3D screening methods on laparascopic surgery skills

Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the effects of 2D and 3D laparoscopic systems with training box, which functions as a simulation device and plays a key role in laparoscopy training, on the completion times of given laparoscopic exercises. Materials and Methods: The study included 64 individuals comprising doctors who are residents in gynecology and obstetrics departmant and sixth grade medical students with no previous experience in laparoscopy. The participants were equally divided into two groups using the sealed envelope system. The first group (Group A) used 2D and the second group (Group B) used 3D visualization system and both groups were given a 4-stage exercise program including bean and ring transfer, inserting an injector tip into the injection cap, and suturing. Results: Mean bean transfer time was 62.50 second in 2D and 50 second in 3D (p=0.0047), mean ring transfer time was 59 second in 2D and 43 second in 3D (p=0.002), mean time for injector tip insertion was 170 second in 2D and 70 second in 3D (p=0.002), and mean suturing time was 71 second in 2D and 48.50 second in 3D (p=0.014). No significant difference was observed in the mean times of the variables regarding the use of eyeglasses, previous experience in computers, gender, and occupational status (residents or sixth grade medical students ) (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results revealed that the skills in 3D laparoscopy were learned in a shorter time compared to those in 2D laparoscopy. It was also revealed that the exercises performed with the 3D laparoscopic system led to shorter completion times for hand-eye coordination skills, sense of depth, spatial orientation, and suturing. Nevertheless, further large-scale studies with long-term analyses are needed.