Virtual Reality Simulators for Objective Evaluation on Laparoscopic Surgery: Current Trends and Benefits

1.1 Laparoscopic surgery Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) has changed the way surgery is performed in Operating Rooms (OR). MIS techniques are increasing their relevance in almost all surgical specialities, and have become the recommended standard in many procedures, displacing open surgery. Laparoscopy, one of the most common MIS approaches, has been adopted by several surgical sub-specialties including gastrointestinal, gynaecological and urological surgery (Fig. 1). It has become the standard technique for certain pathologies, like those associated with anti-reflux diseases, and procedures such as cholecystectomy (Cuschieri, 2005).