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Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Surgical Laparoscopic Performance in Novices: A Computer-based Crossover Study
Svenja Leu1, Ralph F Staerkle2, Stefan Gaukel3
1University of Zurich.
Objective:
The 24-hour work shifts are newly permitted to first-year surgical residents in the United States. Whether surgery novices' motor activity is affected by sleep deprivation is controversial.
Materials And Methods:
This study assesses sleep deprivation effects in computer-simulated laparoscopy in 20 surgical novices following 24 hours of sleep deprivation and after resting using a virtual-reality trainer. Participants were randomly assigned to perform simulator tests either well rested or sleep deprived first.
Results:
Of 3 different tasks performed, no significant differences in total time to complete the procedure and average speed of instruments were found. Instrument path length was longer following sleep deprivation (P=0.0435) in 1 of 3 tasks. Error rates (ie, noncauterized bleedings, perforations, etc.), as well as precision, and accuracy rates showed no difference. None of the assessed participants' characteristics affected simulator performance.
Conclusions:
Twenty-four hours of sleep deprivation does not affect laparoscopic performance of surgical novices as assessed by computer-simulation.
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