title: Effect of visual-spatial ability on learning of spatially-complex surgical skills.
abstract: Visual-spatial ability is thought to be important in competency in specific surgical procedures. To test this hypothesis, 37 surgical residents completed six tests of visual-spatial ability, ranging from low-level to high-level visual processing. Using previously validated and objective instruments, we then assessed their ability to complete and learn a spatially-complex surgical procedure. Residents with higher visual-spatial scores in the form-board test and the mental-rotations test did significantly better in the procedure than did those with lower scores. After practice and feedback, residents with lower scores achieved a comparable level of competency. Our results suggest that visual-spatial ability is related to competency and quality of results in complex surgery, and could potentially be used in resident selection, career counselling, and training.
authors.forename: Kyle R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Wanzel
authors.forename: Stanley J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hamstra
authors.forename: Dimitri J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Anastakis
authors.forename: Edward D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Cusimano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002983:Clinical Competence; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D013028:Space Perception; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D013552:Swine; D014796:Visual Perception