Abstract Purpose:

To identify the surgical trainee benefits through the use of video assisted training (VAT).

Methods:

Twelve cases of uncomplicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) were selected. Edited video segments focused on essential intra-operative anatomical structure identification and critical surgical steps. Evaluation of these videos was constructed on a scoring system based on pre and post-teach tests.

Results:

The mean value of the pre-teach score was 33.2 ± 18.0 points and in the post-teach test the mean value was 66.7 ± 9.7 points. A statistically significant difference was seen when comparing pre and post-teach results (p<.00001).

Conclusion:

The widespread and the systematic use of video assisted learning may be a useful and economic tool in adjunct to the surgical training techniques practiced until now throughout the surgical community.