Effect of Video Games Playing on Surgical Simulation Training: a Systematic Review

Introduction: Video games have a positive impact on the skills required for laparoscopic surgery. Several studies have assessed the impact of video games on laparoscopic skills. Aim: This study aims to systematically review the existing evidence. Materials and methods: A search strategy was implemented to retrieve relevant articles from MEDLINE and SCOPUS databases. The retrieved articles were reviewed for further evaluation according to the predetermined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Results: Twenty-six studies were included in this systematic review. These included prospective (n=9), retrospective (n=5) and interventional (n=12). Other review papers were cited in the discussion section. Studies with positive outcomes significantly outweighed the negative ones (21 vs. 5, respectively). Conclusions: Although there is some evidence that video game experience could give some advantage in laparoscopy no firm conclusions could be drawn yet. The reasons for that lay in the various aims, approaches and results of different study reports. Gaming could be used as a daily warm-up or as a tool to speed-up mastering new skills. A standardized protocol is needed for answering the different questions regarding the impact of video game exposure to laparoscopic skills development and progression