The role of smartphone game applications in improving laparoscopic skills.

Background: Virtual games (VGs) have a positive impact on laparoscopic skills. Time spent playing, the console and the type of game used correlate with the speed of acquisition of laparoscopic skills and their preservation.

Methods: A total of 45 university medical students with no previous surgical experience were divided into three groups: gamers (n=20), control (n=10) and intervention (n=15). They passed the laparoscopic skills testing and training model, developed by the European Academy of Gynecological Surgery, over two sessions. Every 5 intervention participants were asked to play a different smartphone application game daily for 2 months between the two sessions. Scores were calculated at both sessions and used to calculate the evolution ratio between sessions.

Results: Significant advantage was found at session 1 of gamers over non-gamers ( p =0.002). No significant difference existed between the two non-gamer groups ( p =0.96), or between the three intervention sub-groups ( p >0.05). All participants' performances improved between sessions. No significant difference existed in evolution between control and gamers ( p =0.121), nor between intervention and gamers ( p =0.189). Significant advantage was found in evolutions of the intervention group over control group ( p =0.035).

Conclusion: Previous VG experience is a significant factor in showing better laparoscopic skills when virtual reality simulator is used for the first time. Recent and regular smartphone gaming practice significantly improves laparoscopic skills in non-gamers independently of the type of game practiced. Smartphone gaming practice appears to influence positively some specific laparoscopic skills more than others.