Construct validity of a surgical simulator as a valid model for capsulorhexis training

Authors: Privett B, Greenlee E, Rogers G, Oetting TA.

Publication: J Cataract Refract Surg. 2010 Nov;36(11):1835-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2010.05.020.

Abstract/Summary

Purpose

To compare the performance on the EYESi surgical simulator capsulorhexis training module between medical students and residents and experienced cataract surgeons.

Setting

Department of Ophthalmology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.

Design

Comparative case series.

Methods

The study comprised medical students and residents at the University of Iowa and experienced cataract surgeons. Neither group had experience with the simulator. Each participant completed 4 trials on the capsulorhexis module.

Results

The 7 experienced surgeons achieved statistically significantly better total scores than the 16 medical students and residents on the easy level and the medium level of the capsulorhexis module (P = .004 and P = .000007, respectively). Experienced surgeons achieved significantly better scores in all parameters at the medium level, with better centering (P = .001), less corneal injury (P = .02), fewer spikes (P = .03), less time operating without a red reflex (P = .0005), better roundness of the capsulorhexis (P = .003), and less time completing tasks (P = .008).

Conclusion

The surgical simulator capsulorhexis module showed significant construct validity (P<.05).

Financial Disclosure

No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.