Video analysis of endoscopic cutting task performed by one versus two operators

Area of Science:

• Surgical Simulation and Performance Analysis
• Human Factors in Medicine
• Minimally Invasive Surgery

Background:

• Investigating optimal operator configuration for complex laparoscopic tasks: dyad (two operators) versus bimanual (one operator).
• Hypothesizing that dyad teams outperform bimanual performance and exhibit greater robustness in visually misaligned conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare task performance between a dyad team and a single operator performing a complex laparoscopic task.
• To evaluate the impact of visual misalignment on the performance of both dyad and bimanual configurations.

Main Methods:

• 24 subjects performed a suture-cutting task in a mock surgical setup using laparoscopic instruments.
• Tasks were performed bimanually (n=8) or unimanually by paired subjects (n=16).
• Visual conditions included vertical or superimposed displays, with a 45-degree camera rotation to induce misalignment. Movement analysis focused on subtask durations.

Main Results:

• Dyad teams demonstrated shorter subtask durations compared to the bimanual group.
• A 45-degree camera rotation negatively impacted performance in both groups, increasing movement times.
• A superimposed display facilitated learning, improving reaching times over trials compared to a vertical display.

Conclusions:

• Team collaboration significantly enhances performance in complex remote manipulation tasks like laparoscopic cutting.
• Increased information processing capacity in dyad teams contributes to superior performance.
• Findings suggest implications for optimizing performance in endoscopic surgery.