Challenges of Laparoscopic Surgery
Figure 1. Laparoscopic surgery on the stomach, in real-life (left) and in a classroom simulation activity (right).
Students teams use a laparoscopic surgical trainer to perform simple laparoscopic surgery tasks (dissections, sutures) using laparoscopic tools. Just like in the operating room, where the purpose is to perform surgery carefully and quickly to minimize patient trauma, students' surgery time and mistakes are observed and recorded to quantify their performances. They learn about the engineering component of surgery.
Engineers bring their understanding of anatomy, physiology and surgery to collaborations with physicians and other medical professionals to develop procedures and tools for surgery. Engineers partner with surgeons to continually create, design, test and manufacture new tools and procedures that are the least invasive and traumatic for patients. This includes designing computer and physical simulators so surgeons and medical interns can practice technique, as well as specialty tools, equipment and cameras, not to mention nearly everything found in operating rooms, from lighting fixtures to computers and monitors to adjustable tables and disposable gloves.
After this activity, students should be able to:
- Identify common laparoscopic tools.
- Perform simple simulated laparoscopic surgical procedures such as stretching and dissection, tissue identification and manipulation, and suturing.
- Brainstorm and generate concepts for new laparoscopic surgical tools that improve upon the state-of-the-art.