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Video gaming facilitates adaptation to surgical exoscopes - a laboratory experiment
Adam Yousfi1, Anni Pohjola2, Ville Vasankari2
1Department of Neurosurgery, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 266, FI-00029, Helsinki, Finland. adam.yousfi@helsinki.fi.
Acta Neurochirurgica
|June 26, 2025
Summary
Video gaming proficiency significantly enhances adaptation to digital 3D exoscopes in microsurgery. Gamers demonstrated faster task completion and better exoscope handling, suggesting improved 3D perception benefits surgical training.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Surgical Technology
- Medical Education
Background:
- Digital 3D exoscopes offer a novel alternative to traditional operating microscopes in microneurosurgery.
- The impact of prior video gaming experience on adapting to exoscopic microsurgery remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential benefits of video gaming experience on adaptation to digital 3D exoscopic microsurgery.
- To compare the performance of individuals with extensive video gaming experience against novices in a simulated microsurgical task.
Main Methods:
- Twenty preclinical students (11 gamers, 9 controls) with no prior surgical experience participated.
- A standardized microsurgical training model was used to evaluate exoscope handling, fine motor skills, and task duration.
- Each participant completed the manual task three consecutive times to assess learning and adaptation.
Main Results:
- Prior video gaming experience correlated with superior adaptation to the exoscope.
- Gamers exhibited less exoscope manipulation while maintaining good visuals and completed tasks significantly faster (10 min 14 s vs. 13 min 01 s).
- Fine motor skills were comparable between groups, but gamers showed enhanced efficiency in exoscope use.
Conclusions:
- Proficiency in video gaming is associated with improved adaptability to digital 3D exoscopes in a microsurgical context.
- Superior 3D perception developed through video gaming may contribute to enhanced performance in exoscopic procedures.
- This suggests potential benefits of incorporating gaming experience assessments or training in surgical education.
