Objective To compare the last generation of 3-dimensional imaging(3D) vs standard 2-dimensional imaging(2D) laparoscopy on the effect of novice surgeon performance of minimally invasive surgical skills. Methods18 novice surgeons performed 8 repetitions of 4 surgical skills tasks using a new passive polarising stereoscopic display under 3D and 2D conditions. The previously validated tasks used were pick beans, paper cut, pass the curved needle and knot tying. Outcome measures included total error rate and ti...