Spatial perception in macroscopic and microscopic surgical manipulations: differences between experienced and...

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Surgical Navigation
• Spatial Perception

Background:

• Accurate spatial perception is critical for neurosurgical procedures.
• The use of surgical microscopes can alter spatial perception.
• Differences in experience may influence performance in simulated surgical environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare spatial perception and pointing accuracy between experienced and inexperienced neurosurgeons.
• To evaluate the impact of viewing conditions (naked eye vs. surgical microscope) on spatial task performance.
• To identify factors contributing to differences in performance, such as depth perception.

Main Methods:

• Neurosurgeons (experienced and inexperienced) performed pointing tasks in a phantom surgical field.
• Tasks involved locating points with a suction tube under naked eye, microscope, and navigation monitor views.
• A surgical navigator recorded 3D positions to assess pointing deviation and accuracy.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in accuracy was observed when using the naked eye.
• Experienced neurosurgeons demonstrated significantly better pointing accuracy under the surgical microscope.
• Inexperienced neurosurgeons exhibited greater pointing deviation fluctuations, particularly with microscope use, linked to poorer depth perception.

Conclusions:

• Surgical microscope use highlights differences in spatial perception and depth perception skills between experienced and inexperienced neurosurgeons.
• Enhanced depth perception is crucial for accurate performance in microscopic neurosurgery.
• Training should focus on improving depth perception for novice neurosurgeons operating under magnification.