Camera Placement in Simulated Laparoscopic Surgery Influences Performance

Abstract

Laparoscopic surgery requires surgeons to view rotated visual feedback of the surgical field. However, systematic assessments of the effects of visuomotor rotations on performance have been controversial. Forty novice undergraduates performed a pointing task in a laparoscopic trainer box while experiencing one of five different visuomotor rotations: 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°, and 180°. Performance was measured using root mean squared error (RMSE). When initially exposed to the visuomotor rotations, participants’ performance was superior in the 0° condition when compared to the 45°, 90°, and 135° conditions. The pattern of results observed in the present study were consistent with basic research by Cunningham (1989) that showed the most severe performance decrements for rotations between 90° and 135°. With prolonged exposure to the visuomotor rotations, participants adapted to the distortions. The results of the present study are relevant to the design of laparoscopic training currilicula.