Due to the rapid development of laparoscopic surgery, mastering laparoscopic suturing skills for surgeons is important.

Suturing techniques learned for open surgery may not be transferable into laparoscopic suturing skills, it requires different skills and practice to master due to visual constraints and mechanical difficulties. More than 50% of entering fellows who had finished their residency surgical training were not able to do laparoscopic suturing (1).

It is important to prepare residency for the coming opportunity on laparoscopic surgery when the study confirms that laparoscopic suturing skills broaden the clinical applicability of laparoscopy and increase the caseload in both general surgery and urology. 

Besides, the learning curve of mastering laparoscopic skills is long and steep. Introduction of training in laparoscopy in-hospital training curriculum can shorten the learning curve whereas residents are able to get more regular exposure in both simulation laboratory and operative experiences (2). The wide disparity between expectation and actual experience in clinical settings is also a challenge for surgeons. By introducing laparoscopic skills training to the hospital training curriculum will shorten the skills mastering curve.

With an increasing number of procedures being performed laparoscopically, laparoscopic skills become more and more important for surgeons to master. By introducing laparoscopic skill training to the hospital training curriculum, residencies are able to be well-prepared for coming opportunities on laparoscopy. 

1. Tang B, Zhang L, Alijani A. Evidence to support the early introduction of laparoscopic suturing skills into the surgical training curriculum. BMC medical education. 2020;20(1):70–70. 
2. Enani G, Watanabe Y, McKendy KM, Bilgic E, Feldman LS, Fried GM, et al. What are the Training Gaps for Acquiring Laparoscopic Suturing Skills? Journal of surgical education. 2016;74(4):656–62.

Validated simulation equipment features at most surgical skills labs where core skills and dexterity can be developed in a safe manner. A good learning curriculum will always include simulation combined with clinical practice and assessment.  Budget is an important consideration, and the market has a wide offering. The latest developments in Poland show the way of creating an important balance.