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Published in:

01-10-2009

The frontal cortex is activated during learning of endoscopic procedures

Authors: Kenoki Ohuchida, Hajime Kenmotsu, Atsuyuki Yamamoto, Kazuya Sawada, Takehito Hayami, Kenichi Morooka, Shinichiro Takasugi, Kozo Konishi, Satoshi Ieiri, Kazuo Tanoue, Yukihide Iwamoto, Masao Tanaka, Makoto Hashizume

Published in: Surgical Endoscopy | Issue 10/2009

Abstract

Background

To date, several training and evaluation systems for endoscopic surgery have been developed, such as virtual-reality simulators and box trainers. However, despite current advances in these objective assessments, no functional brain studies during learning of endoscopic surgical skills have been carried out. In the present study, we investigated cortical activation using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) during endoscopic surgical tasks.

Study design

A total of 21 right-handed subjects, comprising 4 surgical experts, 4 trainees, and 13 novices, participated in the study. Suturing and knot-tying tasks were performed in a box trainer. Cortical activation was assessed in all subjects by task-related changes in hemoglobin (Hb) oxygenation using NIRS.

Results

In surgical experts and novices with no experience of endoscopic surgical training, we found no changes in oxy-Hb, deoxy-Hb or total-Hb levels in any of the frontal channels. In surgical trainees and one novice with experience of endoscopic surgical training, we found significant increases in oxy-Hb and total-Hb levels in most of the frontal channels. There were significant differences in oxy-Hb and total-Hb levels in CH-19 between surgical experts and trainees (p = 0.02 for both), and between surgical trainees and novices with no experience of endoscopic surgical training (p = 0.008 for both). Furthermore, additional training increased oxy-Hb levels in the frontal cortex of novices with no experience of endoscopic surgical training but had no such effect on surgical experts.

Conclusions

The present data suggest that NIRS is a feasible tool for assessing brain activation during endoscopic surgical tasks, and may have a large impact on the future development of teaching, training, and assessment methods for endoscopic surgical skills.

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Title: The frontal cortex is activated during learning of endoscopic procedures
Authors: Kenoki Ohuchida
Hajime Kenmotsu
Atsuyuki Yamamoto
Kazuya Sawada
Takehito Hayami
Kenichi Morooka
Shinichiro Takasugi
Kozo Konishi
Satoshi Ieiri
Kazuo Tanoue
Yukihide Iwamoto
Masao Tanaka
Makoto Hashizume
Publication date: 01-10-2009
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Surgical Endoscopy / Issue 10/2009
Print ISSN: 0930-2794
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2218
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-008-0316-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

The frontal cortex is activated during learning of endoscopic procedures

Abstract

Background

Study design

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Study design

Results

Conclusions

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