Stereo Laparoscopy: A Novel Approach to Resident Surgical Education

Abstract

Elevated spatial ability is linked to improved surgical skill acquisition in experienced individuals. This may be important in laparoscopic skill mastery, where stereo visualization may confer an advantage to novices of variant spatial ability. This study aims to evaluate differences in skill acquisition resulting from variable spatial ability in future laparoscopists.In a pilot study, pre‐clerkship medical students were subdivided into groups based on spatial ability as measured by a Mental Rotations Test (High spatial scores: MRT >;14, Low spatial scores: MRT <10). Students were introduced to tasks via standardized video instruction, and asked to complete four validated laparoscopic tasks under both stereo and monocular viewing paradigms. Students were evaluated on task performance for timing, completion and efficiency.No significant difference was observed between students of high and low spatial ability for any individual task, overall, or in either viewing modality via ANOVA with repeated measures. A trend of higher overall average scores for High spatial ability students (86.68 ± 15.14) was evident compared to low spatial ability students (76.67 ± 15.73).This pilot study suggests that stereo visualization benefits individuals differently according to individual spatial ability. We postulate that stereo visualizations may serve to compensate for reduced spatial ability, thus enhancing skill performance in individuals of low spatial ability.Grant Funding Source: Departmental