SURGERY TRAINING

Abstract. Laparoscopic surgery training deals with the improvement of a new surgical technique where the working space is magnified. As well, surgeon movements are amplified and therefore they must be accurate and smooth. Moreover, the surgeon has to deal with the fulcrum effect, and learn how to manipulate instruments in a 3D space based only in 2D images. Therefore, training in laparoscopic surgery requires the stimulation of the visuospatial and motor skills of the surgeon. It should stress the manipulation of laparoscopic surgery instruments and the interpretation of 2D images of human internal organs and tissues. In this paper we present LAPAROS, a new laparoscopic surgery training system that allows the user to learn navigation inside the human body and interactively manipulate laparoscopic surgery instruments. The system is based on virtual reality technology and 3D computer graphics. We have also incorporated our own state-of-the-art mechanical simulator. LAPAROS provides the user with several training exercises displaying different skill levels. The system provides an evaluation tool and also keeps track of all training sessions for every user, so they can have a feedback on their overall improvement at any moment