The significance of spatial cognitive ability in robot-assisted surgery

Robot-assisted surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System provides three-dimensional images. However, no research has yet been done on the relationship between the system’s operation and spatial cognitive ability. This study focuses on the operator’s spatial cognitive ability which can impact acquisition of the skills required to operate the da Vinci Surgical System. The participants of the study were 20 volunteers who were students at Hiroshima University (9 men and 11 women, average age 21.1 ± 1.6 years). Depending on the mental rotation test’s score the participants were divided into two groups, one with High group (n = 10), and the other with Low group (n = 10). Both groups were tested using Hiroshima University endoscopic surgical assessment device (HUESAD) and the da Vinci Surgical System simulator dV-Trainer. HUESAD; No significant difference was noted between the two groups in terms of smoothness (p = 0.3867). In terms of accuracy and spatial cognitive ability, the High group scored significantly lower values than the Low group. dV-Trainer; In terms of overall Score, no significant difference was seen between the two groups (pick and place: p = 0.1639; peg board: p = 0.1883; thread the rings: p = 0.8928; suture sponge: p = 0.3238). This study indicates that differences in spatial cognitive ability have no impact at the initial stages to operate the da Vinci Surgical System. Despite this, it should be repeated that the da Vinci Surgical System is not something that facilitates simple surgery that can be implemented by anyone.