VirtaMed, the world leader in surgical training simulation, is slated to introduce a new training module for performing ovarian cystectomies and other surgical gynecology procedures to U.S. surgeons and residents at the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas. The new module for the VirtaMed LaparoS™ gynecological laparoscopy simulator will allow gynecology residents to enhance their surgical skills for ovarian cystectomy and practice responding to complications such as unexpected bleeding within dedicated scenarios.
The Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) includes the removal of ovarian cysts as one of the core procedures that a specialist is expected to understand and perform throughout their career. The National Institutes of Health estimates that 5% to 10% of women require surgery to remove an ovarian cyst. An ovarian cystectomy preserves more ovarian tissue and is therefore preferable to a complete oophorectomy, which is the removal of the entire ovary.
The LaparoS mixed reality simulator offers highly realistic ovarian cystectomy training, enabling residents to practice safe removal of the ovarian cyst using aqua dissection or blunt dissection. Residents work as a team around the LaparoS patient model, coordinating with each other just as they would in the OR.
“An ovarian cystectomy is a commonly performed surgical intervention, and it is important that surgical gynecologists-in-training have the opportunity to practice surgical preparation steps and to experiment with team set up and collaboration before going into the operating room,” said Justin Grooms, Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Alliances for VirtaMed. “Training in a safe, simulated environment accelerates how quickly trainee surgeons learn new skills and ultimately supports better patient care. It is exciting to take part in advances in gynecological training enabled by high-end simulation.”
Among the highlights of the recent update to the LaparoS simulator are dedicated training cases for bleeding control. Residents can benefit from scenarios fully focused on managing bleeding from the ovarian artery with bipolar coagulation and suction. Targeted practice of bleeding control in a simulation environment represents the most efficient way for residents to master challenges faced in real life surgeries without the risk of harming the patient.
The LaparoS simulator now also includes skills training for salpingectomy, tubal sterilization with bipolar coagulation, and hysterectomy skills including vesicouterine fold dissection, ureter identification and preparation of the adnexa.
The module made its debut during a dedicated training course organised at the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE) annual congress in Rome, where a large number of residents could benefit from over 30 hours of comprehensive gynecological laparoscopy and hysteroscopy hands-on training, resulting in over 300 cases performed.
U.S. residents and surgeons who will be in attendance at AAGL from November 14 to November 17, 2021 are encouraged to visit the VirtaMed booth (No. 617) and test the new training module.
About VirtaMed
VirtaMed believes medical education is powerfully delivered through data-driven simulation solutions. Since 2007, we have developed the leading solutions for training outside the operating room because we believe healthcare professionals should never have to perform a procedure for the first time on a patient. VirtaMed’s simulators provide the most realistic and cost-effective training available for laparoscopic surgeons. For more information on simulation training for laparoscopic procedures, visit virtamed.com/laparos.