A commercially available physical simulator can be used to teach canine laparoscopic cholecystectomy with 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional visualization.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the feasibility of a commercial simulator to reproduce key steps of canine laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and to compare surgical performance when using 3-D versus 2-D visualization.

METHODS

16 gallbladder inserts mounted in a laparoscopic cholecystectomy model were used. Inserts were randomly assigned to 2-D or 3-D visualization groups and placed in a laparoscopic training box. All procedures were performed on a single day in 2022 by 1 American College of Veterinary Surgeons resident who completed prestudy training on the simulator to minimize learning-curve effects. A board-certified surgeon supervised all procedures. Surgical steps included cystic duct dissection, endoclip application, cystic duct transection, and gallbladder removal. Measured outcomes included surgical times for defined intervals, total procedure time, intraoperative complications, and residual simulated liver tissue attached to the gallbladder.

RESULTS

Time from instrument insertion to first endoclip placement and total surgical time were significantly shorter with 3-D visualization compared to 2-D, and the differences in medians suggested clinically meaningful improvements in performance. There were no significant group differences in bile leakage, incomplete clipping, or the amount of residual foam attachment.

CONCLUSIONS

This physical simulator allowed reproduction of most key procedural steps in canine laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Three-dimensional visualization improved surgical efficiency for a trainee operator.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The simulator provided a safe, accessible platform for early skills acquisition before progressing to cadaveric or clinical training.