A framework for laparoscopic simulations

Due to their numerous advantages,laparoscopic surgical procedures are increasingly becoming common in the operation theatres over the past few decades. virtual reality training simulators have played a significant role during this transition from traditional to laparoscopic procedures by enhancing surgical skills,such as hand-eye coordination in laparoscopy,and practising surgical scenarios that cannot be easily created using physical models. this paper presents a general framework for such a training simulator while identifying its key components and their specific roles in enhancing various laparoscopic skills. the paper also describes a laparoscopic simulator,developed in our lab,based on the proposed framework. the results are promising and open new doors for research and development. © 2017,pakistan medical association. all rights reserved.