Overlearning enhances skill retention in a simulated model of laparoscopic cholecystectomy

RESULTS: Operation time was significantly longer in resident group (267 min, 150-419) than in fellow group (239 min, 120390), and the number of harvested lymph-nodes was significantly greater in resident group (22, 4-65) than in fellow group (27, 694). There were no statistical differences in patients’ characteristics, such as age, gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, past history of previous upper abdominal surgery and endoscopic sub-mucosal dissection (ESD), and other operative findings, such as complications, blood loss, conversion to laparotomy, diameter of the tumor and the number of lymphnode metastases between two groups. All patients are alive and disease free as of today.