Testing days

Each pair returned to the simulation centre for testing according to the model initially described by Brinkmann et al.¹⁷ The model consists of a pig liver with adherent gallbladder that is placed in a tray with gallbladder on top and the cystic duct and artery located medially. The participant with the lowest number started as operator assisted by his/her “buddy”. After completion of the first simulated cholecystectomy procedure, the participants had a five-minute break before switching places and repeating the procedure with a new specimen. All procedures were video-recorded and the recordings were saved on USB-sticks in a blinded fashion identifiable only by the unique participant number. All testing slots were scheduled 14 days after the training day.