Multi Institutional Experience with the GreenLight Simulator

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate the GreenLight Laser SimTM for resident education in a multi institutional study using a structured curriculum.
Materials and Methods: Residents from two tertiary care hospitals participated in this study. The curriculum included four SIM modules and four SIM cases on the GreenLight Laser SimTM. Participants of various training levels were evaluated by grams of tissue vaporized in allotted time, average sweep speed, blood loss, and average laser-tissue distance throughout the study.
Results: 20 residents, PGY1-PGY6, completed 331 trials on the simulator. Increased number of trials on the simulator was associated with a statistically significant increase in vaporization efficiency and reduced laser distance. No significant difference was noted between training level or simulator trial number when examining blood loss.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates that use of the GreenLight Laser SimTM is associated with improved vaporization efficiency. The simulator is a useful tool in resident education and instruction of important safety principles and procedural techniques and can help improve vaporization efficiency.