3-D vision improves performance in a pelvic trainer.
OBJECTIVE
Experienced endoscopic surgeons have adapted to the absence of depth perception while using two-dimensional (2-D) visualization. However, three-dimensional (3-D) vision may prove useful at least at the beginning of the learning curve in celioscopic training.


METHODS
In a pelvitrainer with a fixed camera, two skill tests were designed to assess the performance of three groups of operators: "non-surgeons", "non-celioscopist surgeons", and "trained celioscopists". In the first test, the candidate had to touch with a needle a sequence of dots distributed on a 7.1-cm2 area. In the second test, a 6-0 C-1 needle had to be passed consecutively through two 1-mm holes made in a thin vertical plastic wall. Each test was performed ten times, using either 2-D vision (five times) or 3-D vision (five times) interspersed in a random manner.


RESULTS
In both tests and within each group, performance was related to the experience of the operator, with the trained celioscopists' group obtaining the best results and the non-surgeons the worst. In every situation, including the trained celioscopists' group, 3-D vision significantly improved performances. No significant difference was observed between the results of the non-celioscopist surgeons' group using 3-D vision and those of the trained celioscopists' group using 2-D vision.


CONCLUSIONS
3-D vision improves the performance and accuracy of endoscopic surgeons. It provides a visual perception "close to reality", and helps celioscopic beginners to accelerate their training.
Tevaearai
H T
HT
Dept. of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland. hendrik.tevaearai@hospvd.ch
Mueller
X M
XM
von Segesser
L K
LK
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003867:Depth Perception; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014741:Video Recording