Multimedia technologies applied to training in endoscopic surgery: The experience of the EITS

Summary

Laparoscopic surgery has been, for the digestive surgeon, a majorstep towards integrating technology in day to day surgery. Training in laparoscopic surgery has on the contrary not followed the evolution into modernity and still relies on century-old practices as in open surgery. While still valid, these teaching and training techniques are rapidly becoming outdated as the surgical technique itself becomes more complicated and highly specialized. Procedure simulation through virtual reality reconstruction, distant proctoring, Europeanwide evaluation/accreditation, and surgical video databases are the upcoming topics which will forever modify the way surgery will be taught, initially and through permanent education, and practised daily.

Keywords:

• training
• laparoscopic surgery
• interactivity
• multimedia