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Published on: January 7, 2019
Characterizing robotic surgical expertise: An exploratory study of neural activation during mental imagery of robotic
Nicholas E Anton1, Jake A Whiteside1, Jackie Cha2
1Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, 545 Barnhill Dr., EH 111, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
Background:
Mental imagery (MI) aids skill acquisition, however, it is unclear to what extend MI is used by experienced surgeons. The purpose of this study was to assess differences in MI of participants with varying surgical expertise in robotic surgery.
Methods:
Students, residents, and surgeons completed the Mental Imagery Questionnaire to assess MI for robotic suturing. Participants then completed robotic simulator tasks, and imagined performing robotic suturing while being assessed with electroencephalogram (EEG).
Results:
Attending surgeons reported higher MI for robotic suturing, and EEG revealed higher neural activation during imagery of robotic suturing than other groups.
Conclusions:
Experienced surgeons displayed higher MI ability for robotic suturing, and displayed higher cortical activity in the frontal and parietal areas of the brain, which is associated with more advanced motor imagery. MI appears to be a component of robotic surgery expertise.
