Comparison of text versus video for teaching laparoscopic knot tying in the novice surgeon: a randomized, controlled trial

Video seems advantageous over traditional text as an educational tool in conceptually-based procedures such as laparoscopy. However, this has never been tested directly.

The purpose of this study was to compare the use of text versus video as an educational tool for laparoscopic training, through a randomized controlled trial.

Prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial (Canadian Task Force classification I).

Eighty (n = 80) medical students, who had no experience with tying a laparoscopic intracorporeal knot, were randomly taught to do so by either reading a text with accompanying pictures (n = 40) or watching a short video with audio of comparable content (n = 40). The participants were allowed to review the material for as long as they needed to achieve understanding of the procedure. They were then asked to tie a laparoscopic square knot in a box trainer, with a limit time of 15 minutes. Time to review the educational material(s), time to tie the knot(s), numbers of attempts at the task (n), and numbers of those who expressed understanding of the task (n) were recorded.

The number of participants who were able to complete the knot (n = 14 text v. n = 18 video, p = 0.49) and the average time needed for completion (479 s text v.494 s video, p = 0.38) were not statistically different in the two groups. However, time to review the material (407 s text v. 258 s video, p < 0.001), number of attempts at the task (15 text v. 5 video had n>2 attempts, p = 0.01), and number of those who expressed understanding when they could not complete the task (35% text v. 59% video, p = 0.047) were statistically different.

This is the first randomized trial evaluating video alone as an educational tool in laparoscopic training. It demonstrates that video is superior to text in achieving superior conceptual understanding, without improving operative times. Understanding through video instruction cannot make up for a lack of technical ability in novice surgeons.