Three-dimensional vision versus two-dimensional vision on laparoscopic performance of trainee surgeons: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Laparoscopic surgery underwent great improvements during the last few years. This review aims to compare the performance of Trainee Surgeons using 2D versus 3D/4 K laparoscopy. A systematic review of the literature was done on Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane’s Library and Scopus. The following words and key phrases have been searched: “Two-dimensional vision”, “Three-dimensional vision”, “2D and 3D laparoscopy”, “Trainee surgeons”. This systematic review was reported according to the PRISMA statement 2020. PROSPERO registration No. CRD42022328045. Twenty-two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and two observational studies were included in the systematic review. Two trials were carried out in a clinical setting, and twenty-two trials were performed in a simulated setting. In studies involving the use of a box trainer, the number of errors in the 2D laparoscopic group was significantly higher than in the 3D laparoscopic group during the performance of FLS skill tasks: peg transfer (MD: -0.82; 95% CI − 1.17 to − 0.47; p < 0.00001), cutting (MD: − 1.09; 95% CI − 1.50 to − 0.69 p < 0.00001), suturing (MD: − 0.48; 95% CI − 0.83 to − 0.13 p = 0.007), However, in clinical studies, there was no significant difference in the time taken for laparoscopic total hysterectomy (MD: 8.71; 95% CI − 13.55 to 30.98; p = 0.44) and vaginal cuff closure (MD: 2.00; 95% CI − 0.72 to − 4.72; p = 0.15) between 2D group and 3D group. 3D laparoscopy facilitates learning for novice surgeons and shows improvements in their laparoscopic performance.