Abstract: Objective To evaluate the application of laparoscopic virtual simulator combined with simple simulation box in the thoracoscopy training for resident doctors. Methods A randomized controlled trial design was used in this study. From October to December 2019, forty resident doctors of 2019 in Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital who had not received any other form of endoscopic technical training were selected as the research objects,and they were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. The experimental group was trained with Lap Mentor laparoscopic virtual simulator combined with simple simulation box in skill teaching, and the control group was trained with simple simulation box. After the training, theoretical assessment, simulation operation evaluation, clinical skill, and questionnaire feedback were conducted in both groups. The data were analyzed by Fisher exact probability, Student's t-test and Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test for evaluation of teaching effect. Results In the simulated operation examination, the experimental group saved more time in the bean grasping training[115.5(21.5) vs. 92.0(38.0)], paper cutting training [225.0(19.3) vs. 180.0(22.0)] and continuous suture examination [483.0(24.0) vs. 370.0(25.0)] than the control group (all P<0.05); in the clinical practice examination, the OSATS scores of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group (89.15±5.11 vs. 81.21±4.96; 88.10±4.42 vs. 77.05±5.12, all P<0.01). The questionnaire survey showed that the experimental group was better than the control group in improving learning interest[5.0(1.0) vs. 3.0(1.0)] and effectively improving skills [4.0(1.0) vs. 3.0(1.0)](all P<0.01). Conclusions Laparoscopic virtual simulator combined with simple simulation box is helpful to improve the training outcomes of endoscopic operation and other clinical skills with stimulation of learning interests.

Key words: Laparoscopic virtual simulator, Simple simulation box, Standardized training for residents, Video-assisted thoracic surgery training