Spatial cognition in minimally invasive surgery: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Cognitive Psychology
• Medical Simulation

Background:

• Spatial cognition is crucial for minimally invasive surgery (MIS), enhancing skill acquisition, reducing errors, and improving performance.
• Prior research has not synthesized the literature on spatial abilities' impact on MIS outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and summarize the literature on spatial cognition in MIS.
• To identify specific spatial abilities influencing surgical performance and skill acquisition.
• To assess the role of mental practice and ergonomics in MIS.

Main Methods:

• Systematic search of psychological and medical databases (2006-2016).
• Inclusion of English-language articles directly linking spatial cognition to MIS learning or performance.
• Review of 26 heterogeneous studies, primarily on simulators with novice trainees.

Main Results:

• Mental rotation ability significantly impacts operative performance in MIS.
• Mental practice is an effective pre-operative tool for enhancing surgical performance.
• Ergonomic setup of MIS equipment markedly influences performance and learning.

Conclusions:

• Spatial cognition plays a vital role in MIS, with mental rotation being particularly significant.
• Further clinical research is needed to validate and quantify these findings in real surgical settings.