Background:
Our objective was to obtain an evaluation of the didactic elements included in the laparoscopic training courses designed by our centre.

Material and Methods:
Ten novice general surgeons enrolled this study. They attended an intensive course including a short theoretical session (1 hour) and a 20-hour hands-on session. This part consisted of progressive basic skills training on a physical simulator (7 hours) and animal training (13 hours), where several in vivo laparoscopic techniques (Nissen fundoplication, intestinal anastomosis, etc.) were practised by each surgeon. After the course, attendants evaluated the training program and the usefulness of its components by completing a questionnaire scored on a 5-point Likert scale.

Result:
Course length was considered as very adequate, with an average score of 4.6 ± 0.7. Usefulness of hands-on simulator for skills acquisition was rated on 4.7 ± 0.2, whilst usefulness of animal training obtained the maximum score (5) by all attendants. Similarly, the animal model obtained better scores than the physical simulator for learning new techniques, as well as for skills maintenance. Regarding skills assessment, expert evaluation was considered more useful than virtual reality simulators assessment (3.9 ± 0.9 vs. 3.1 ± 1.4).

Conclusion:
A very positive subjective evaluation of the training program elements was obtained by general surgeons. Animal model training was rated as the more useful component for skills acquisition, considering its practice very necessary before clinical application of laparoscopic surgery.