In collaboration with the Applied Perception Lab at Concordia University, research led by Dr. Amin Madani at The Institute for Education Research at UHN has developed LapBot—an innovative mobile game transforming how surgeons practice their skills for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a common gallbladder removal surgery.
Developed as an educational tool, LapBot leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to provide instant feedback on safe surgical techniques, helping players sharpen their decision-making skills without stepping into an operating room.
In the game, players navigate real operative scenarios, identifying safe dissection points in the hepatocystic triangle, a critical area in gallbladder surgery. Using an AI-powered algorithm, the game scores players on their accuracy and offers personalized feedback on their choices.
A recent study involving 903 participants from 64 countries demonstrated LapBot’s effectiveness. Results showed that as the game increased in difficulty, players' scores and confidence levels dropped, reflecting the real-life challenges of surgical decision-making. Interestingly, higher scores were closely linked to players' surgical experience, affirming the game's ability to differentiate expertise levels.
Feedback from users was overwhelmingly positive as players noted support for LapBot’s integration into formal training programs, an improved ability to reflect on feedback during surgery, and enhanced learning when observing procedures.
LapBot exemplifies how mobile games can revolutionize medical education, making training more engaging and accessible. By transforming traditional learning into an interactive experience, it offers a promising new avenue for developing and refining surgical skills in a low-stakes, high-impact way.
This work was supported by UHN Foundation and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Foundation. Dr. Amin Madani is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Toronto and Surgical Artificial Intelligence Research Academy (SARA) at UHN.
Dr. Amin Madani is a consultant for Johnson & Johnson and is also on the Board of Directors for Global surgical Artificial Intelligence Collaborative.
A full list of author disclosures can be found on the article here.
St John A, Khalid MU, Masino C, Noroozi M, Alseidi A, Hashimoto DA, Altieri M, Serrot F, Kersten-Oertal M, Madani A. LapBot-Safe Chole: validation of an artificial intelligence-powered mobile game app to teach safe cholecystectomy. Surg Endosc. 2024 Sep. doi: 10.1007/s00464-024-11068-3.