When we talk about the progress made in the past 50 years in the scientific field, some of these things are so astounding it’s hard to believe they are a product of the imagination of the human brain. 

One such example can be seen in the field of medical studies. More specifically in the medical field of endoscopy, where technology and medical advancements have joined their hands to give us – THE ENDO TRAINER – which so happens to be any surgeon’s best friend, especially in their early days as resident doctors.

Ask any surgeon, and they will tell you about the countless hours they spent honing their fine skills, precision, steadiness, which makes them so remarkably qualified in their profession. 

So what EXACTLY is an ENDO TRAINER? And why is it considered so important in the field of LAPAROSCOPY?

Simply put, an endo trainer is a simulation device used to prepare both seasoned and novice surgeons in performing invasive procedures that require a very stable hand. The device allows the doctor to have a closer view of the internal organs of the patient, which otherwise would not be possible using any other equipment. It is used as a training device to practice basic skills that are further used in actual surgical procedures.

The best Endo Trainer should have the following:

1. The Training Platform: It comprises the main outer shell that is used to represent the part of the body where the endoscopy will take place. It usually has several access points that can be used to insert the surgical equipment like dissectors, graspers, scissors, and so on.
2. The Training Module: This consists of the main components which will be used in the training. It is used to make the trainee comfortable working on different types of tissue he may encounter while performing the surgery. Therefore, it is common to see the training module with multi-tissue suturing boards, cutting modules, etc. 
3. The Training Instruments:  These are a set of high-precision tools that are inserted into the device through one of the many access points. These simulate the feeling of examining/ operating on an organ which is why these need to be of the highest quality only (https://addler.com/product/addler-endo-trainer/ )
4. Straight Rod Camera: It is considered to be the doctor’s ‘eyes’ as it probes into the opening and gives back information in video format for the doctor to act upon. There can be 1 or more cameras used, depending on the nature of the examination. The camera needs to have a minimum resolution of 720p and have very little latency. 

Even with the constant advancements in medical technology, with some upgrades coming to the camera quality, and others to the training instruments, some endo trainers in India, like the one from ADDLER,  have stood the test of time again and again, by making some high-end models of the endo trainer, which do not need to be replaced for years to come.

Experts would also go a step further to tell you that the best endo trainer (https://addler.com/faq/) does not need to be very expensive but just needs good quality modules, which are generally reusable.

Some of the refurbished endo trainers also make for good investment when you are not ready to pay the full price of a fresh one.

How a typical endo training session takes place:

In the training session, a projector that casts the visuals from the camera is displayed on a screen to the trainee, who uses the tools on the training module.

The most basic endo trainer exercise that the trainees go through is to create a knot on the module using precision tools. They do this by using 2 needle holders and a half-circle, round-bodied needle, which needs to be very carefully passed through the tissue module and tied to a knot. 

*(training video link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zgSCGfdFyg)*

Such exercises are the reason that endo trainers are used throughout the medical field, by college students and veteran surgeons alike.