1493 PERIPHERAL VISUAL CUE SUPPLEMENTED TARGET TASK FOCUS – ADVANCED EXERCISE REGIME FOR GAZE CONTROL IN LAPAROSCOPIC UROLOGICAL SURGERY

Abstract

You have accessJournal of UrologyTechnology & Instruments: Surgical Education & Skills Assessment1 Apr 20111493 PERIPHERAL VISUAL CUE SUPPLEMENTED TARGET TASK FOCUS – ADVANCED EXERCISE REGIME FOR GAZE CONTROL IN LAPAROSCOPIC UROLOGICAL SURGERY Sashi S. Kommu, Bhaskar Somani, Philip James, Thomas Finnigan, David Cartlidge, Hashim Zafar, Aniruddha Chakravarti, and STILUS Academic Research Group (SARG) Sashi S. KommuSashi S. Kommu London, United Kingdom More articles by this author , Bhaskar SomaniBhaskar Somani London, United Kingdom More articles by this author , Philip JamesPhilip James London, United Kingdom More articles by this author , Thomas FinniganThomas Finnigan London, United Kingdom More articles by this author , David CartlidgeDavid Cartlidge London, United Kingdom More articles by this author , Hashim ZafarHashim Zafar London, United Kingdom More articles by this author , Aniruddha ChakravartiAniruddha Chakravarti London, United Kingdom More articles by this author , and STILUS Academic Research Group (SARG) More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2011.02.1451AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Human gaze patterns are purported to be sensitive to the probabilistic structure of the environment thus suggesting that subjects tend to cope by actively allocating gaze on the basis of a learned structural environment. The laparoscopic urological platform is no exception where visual cues are important for the surgeon to perform optimally in a real-time manner. In the process of conducting a previous study we incidentally noted that expert laparoscopic surgeons had better or more targeted gaze control relative to the target task even while physically handling the instruments as compared to trainees. Trainees seemed to require greater visual feedback of instrument locale to perform given tasks compared to experts. We developed and tested the concept of Peripheral Visual Cue Supplemented Target Task Focus (PVC-TF) as an advanced exercise regime for improved Gaze Control during laparoscopic urological surgery. METHODS We developed a box kit with zonal mapping such that there were two circles. The inner circle was 4 cms in diameter and housed target tasks including loop stacking, suturing elements and cutting complex shapes. The outer circle was designed such that distracting lights of varying colours randomly switched automatically. Six trainees were initially asked to complete the preset target tasks. Three trainees were then primed to control gaze actively by extending the peripheral visual field of focus such that they were able to perform tasks while actively ignoring the distracting lights. The other 3 were not primed. All candidates then each asked to perform the index tasks of two ex-vivo vesicourethral anastomosis (VUA). A non-contact method for measuring eye motion using video camera analysis was used for mapping gaze in each of the tasks. RESULTS Prior to priming, there was haphazard gaze in all trainees. Following priming with Peripheral Visual Cue Supplemented Target Task Focus, gaze control was noted to markedly improve in the primed group. Gaze control was also markedly improved during the VUA in the primed group as opposed to the non-primed group. The mean time for task completion was 1.8 times quicker for the primed group. CONCLUSIONS Peripheral Visual Cue Supplemented Target Task Focus (PVC-TF) appears to significantly improve Gaze Control and performance during laparoscopic urological surgery in the ex-vivo setting. Optimal gaze control could act as a useful supplementary tool during skill acquisition among trainees interested in laparoscopic surgery. Further analysis through large scale studies is warranted. © 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 185Issue 4SApril 2011Page: e598 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2011 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Sashi S. Kommu London, United Kingdom More articles by this author Bhaskar Somani London, United Kingdom More articles by this author Philip James London, United Kingdom More articles by this author Thomas Finnigan London, United Kingdom More articles by this author David Cartlidge London, United Kingdom More articles by this author Hashim Zafar London, United Kingdom More articles by this author Aniruddha Chakravarti London, United Kingdom More articles by this author STILUS Academic Research Group (SARG) More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...