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The effect of a preoperative warm-up with a custom-made Nintendo video game on the performance of laparoscopic surgeons

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Abstract

Background

It has previously been shown that short, pre-operative practice with a simulator, box trainer, or certain video games can temporarily improve one’s basic laparoscopic skills; the so-called warm-up effect. In this experiment, we tested the hypothesis that Underground video game made for training basic laparoscopic skills, can also be used for a pre-operative warm-up.

Materials and methods

29 laparoscopic experts were randomized into two different groups, which were tested on two different days. Group 1 (n = 16) did a laparoscopic skill baseline measurement using the FLS peg transfer test and the Top Gun cobra rope drill on day 1, and did the same tests on day 2 after a 15 min session with the Underground game. Group 2 (n = 13) did the same, but started with the video game, followed by baseline measurement on day 2. This way, each participant served as its own control. Video recordings of both tasks were later analyzed by two blinded reviewers.

Results

On day 1, group 2 was 14.33 % (P = 0.037) faster in completing the peg transfer test. A trend toward better cobra rope scores is also seen. When comparing the average improvement between both days, group 1—which used the game as a warm-up on day 2—showed a 19.61 % improvement in cobra rope score, compared to a 0.77 % score decrease in group 2 (P = 0.002).

Conclusions

This study shows that the Underground video game can be used as a pre-operative warm-up in an experimental setting.

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Disclosures

The authors were given a version of the Underground video game from its developer, Cutting Edge B.V., to use it in this research. To perform this study, M.B. Jalink was employed as a researcher at the University Medical Center Groningen. H.O. ten Cate Hoedemaker is one of the intellectual property holders of the Underground game and could benefit financially from it once it goes on sale. No additional grants were received to fund this research. J.P.E.N. Pierie and E. Heineman have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Internal postal code FC33, room N2.11/ING 27, P.O. Box 30 001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands

    M. B. Jalink, E. Heineman & H. O. ten Cate Hoedemaker

  2. Post Graduate School of Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    J. P. E. N. Pierie & H. O. ten Cate Hoedemaker

  3. Department of Surgery, Medical Center Leeuwarden, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands

    J. P. E. N. Pierie

Authors
  1. M. B. Jalink
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  2. E. Heineman
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  3. J. P. E. N. Pierie
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  4. H. O. ten Cate Hoedemaker
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. B. Jalink.

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Jalink, M.B., Heineman, E., Pierie, J.P.E.N. et al. The effect of a preoperative warm-up with a custom-made Nintendo video game on the performance of laparoscopic surgeons. Surg Endosc 29, 2284–2290 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-014-3943-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-014-3943-6

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