Structured Simulation Training for Laparoscopic and Thoracoscopic Skills in Thoracic Surgery Residents

This study aims to improve basic laparoscopic and thoracoscopic skills in thoracic surgery residents and rotating surgical residents through a structured simulation-based training program. Participants will complete hands-on practice sessions using box trainers, artificial models, and bovine tissues in a controlled, non-patient setting.

Before and after the training, participants will complete self-assessment surveys and a standardized technical skills evaluation (OSATS). The study will compare these results to measure changes in technical performance, confidence, and learning needs. No real patients, live animals, or clinical procedures are involved, and there are no expected medical risks.

The goal of this study is to determine whether structured simulation training is effective, practical, and acceptable for surgical education, and whether it can support safer transition to real operating room experience in the future.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Key information

Conditions

Surgical Education Resident Training Simulation-based Training

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Ondokuz Mayis University Medical Faculty, Department of Thoracic Surgery

Samsun, 55139, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Thoracic surgery residents OR rotating general surgery/cardiovascular surgery residents
Age ≥18 years
Actively enrolled in an accredited residency training program
Willingness to participate in hands-on simulation training
Ability to provide informed consent
Able to complete video-recorded performance assessments

Exclusion criteria

Prior advanced laparoscopic or thoracoscopic fellowship training
Inability to safely handle surgical instruments (e.g., significant musculoskeletal limitation)
Previous participation in a similar structured simulation program within the past 12 months
Declines consent or withdraws participation
Unable to attend required training and assessment sessions

Treatment and study plan

Structured Simulation-Based Surgical Training

Behavioral

Participants will complete a structured simulation-based training curriculum designed to improve fundamental laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgical skills. The program includes standardized modules on camera navigation, tissue handling, dissection, stapling, and suturing, performed on box trainers, artificial models, and bovine tissues. Training occurs in a controlled laboratory environment with faculty supervision and predefined performance goals. No real patients, clinical procedures, or live animals are involved. All participants undergo pre- and post-training performance assessment using OSATS scoring, task completion time, and self-evaluation surveys.

Other names: Component-Based Laparoscopic-Thoracoscopic Training, Simulation Skills Curriculum

Primary outcomes

Change in Total OSATS Score

Time frame: Baseline (pre-training) and immediately after completion of the training program (within 1 week)

Technical skill performance will be assessed using the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS), consisting of a global rating scale and task-specific checklist (total score range 0-35). Each participant will complete the same standardized tasks before and after the simulation training. The primary outcome is the within-subject change (post-training minus pre-training) in total OSATS score.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ondokuz Mayıs University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Structured Simulation-Based Training to Develop Laparoscopic and Thoracoscopic Skills in Thoracic Surgery and Rotating Surgical Residents: A Component-Based Educational Model

Important dates

Study start: 2026
Primary completion: 2027
Study completion: 2027
First posted: Dec 8, 2025
Registry last updated: Jul 24, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Active, Not Recruiting