Abstract
Objective. To estimate if there is a relationship between the results of tests of neurocognition and performance on a laparoscopic surgery simulator. Methods and Materials. Twenty participants with no prior laparoscopic experience had baseline cognitive tests administered (Trail Making Test, Part A and B (TMT-A and TMT-B), Grooved Peg Board Test, Symbol Digit Modalities Test, Symbol Digit Recall Test, and Stroop Interference Test), completed a demographic questionnaire, and then performed laparoscopy using a simulator. We correlated the results of cognitive tests with laparoscopic surgical performance. Results. One cognitive test sensitive to frontal lobe function, TMT-A, significantly correlated with laparoscopic surgical performance on the simulator (correlation coefficient of 0.534 with P < .05). However, the correlation between performance and other cognitive tests (TMT-B, Grooved Peg Board Test, Symbol Digit Modalities Test, Symbol Digit Recall Test, and Stroop Interference Test) was not statistically significant. Conclusion. Laparoscopic performance may be related to measures of frontal lobe function. Neurocognitive tests may predict motor skills abilities and performance on laparoscopic simulator.
Highlights
Laparoscopic surgery has become an increasingly important component of the gynecologist’s armamentarium
The median Positive Positive Affect Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) was higher than the median Negative PANAS; participants had stronger positive affects than negative affects
We found a strong correlation between TMTB and performance on the LapTrainer with approximated significance at traditional levels (P = .0503)
Summary
Laparoscopic surgery has become an increasingly important component of the gynecologist’s armamentarium. While several factors such as sleep deprivation [1, 2] and substance abuse [3] have been shown to effect abilities with this modality, determinants of skill among rested, sober trainees have not been as clearly delineated. Neurocognition is an important factor in all learning. Neurocognitive enhancement of surgeons through nonpharmacological and psychopharmacological methods has been the subject of recent media, political, and ethical interest [4] A large number of tests of neurocognition, each of which is focused on a different aspect of brain function, have been validated. The following study was undertaken to assess the degree to which tests of neurocognition correlate with learning on laparoscopic simulators
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