The role of mental rotation and memory scanning on the performance of laparoscopic skills

The rotational angle of the laparoscopic image relative to the true horizon has an unknown influence on performance in laparoscopic procedures. This study evaluates the effect of increasing rotational angle on surgical performance.

Surgical residents (group 1) (n = 6) and attending surgeons (group 2) (n = 4) were tested on two laparoscopic skills. The tasks consisted of passing a suture through an aperture, and laparoscopic knot tying. These tasks were assessed at 15° intervals between 0° and 90°, on three consecutive repetitions. The participant’s performance was evaluated based on the time required to complete the tasks and number of errors incurred.

There was an increasing deterioration in suturing performance as the degree of image rotation was increased. Participants showed a statistically significant 20–120% progressive increase in time to completion of the tasks (p = 0.004), with error rates increasing from 10% to 30% (p = 0.04) as the angle increased from 0° to 90°. Knot-tying performance similarly showed a decrease in performance that was evident in the less experienced surgeons (p = 0.02) but with no obvious effect on the advanced laparoscopic surgeons.

When evaluated independently and as a group, both novice and experienced laparoscopic surgeons showed significant prolongation to completion of suturing tasks with increased errors as the rotational angle increased. The knot-tying task shows that experienced surgeons may be able to overcome rotational effects to some extent. This is consistent with results from cognitive neuroscience research evaluating the processing of directional information in spatial motor tasks. It appears that these tasks utilize the time-consuming processes of mental rotation and memory scanning. Optimal performance during laparoscopic procedures requires that the rotation of the camera, and thus the image, be kept to a minimum to maintain a stable horizon. New technology that corrects the rotational angle may benefit the surgeon, decrease operating time, and help to prevent adverse outcomes.