Training systems on commercial basis for laparoscopic surgery are useful for basic training, but are not suitable for specific training corresponding to the patient’s condition. We, therefore, have developed a unique training system, a patient-specific type simulator for laparoscopic surgery. When specific data of each individual patient is entered, this system facilitates surgeons to perform a “rehearsal” operation. We applied this technique in laparoscopic surgery on the basis of volume data obtained by multislice computed tomography imaging. We underwent surgical simulations before laparoscopic surgeries and compared them. Simulation was helpful because we could obtain information about the complicated vessel network and “rehearse” the procedure. Our simulator allows surgeons to perform a sham operation with different perspectives and tactile sensations and has received favorable reviews from users.

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We evaluated the effectiveness of augmented realty (AR) simulator: ProMIS™ comparing with virtual reality (VR) simulator for the training of laparoscopic tasks. A group of 26 surgically naive participants divided into two groups, performed the same basic tasks on the AR simulator and the VR simulator. The skills were assessed before and after the training using another type of VR simulator. The improvement of the skills after AR simulator training was equivalent to that after VR simulator.

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