Assessment of simulated surgical skills in parabolic microgravity.
BACKGROUND
During spaceflight crew health is paramount in the success of flight missions. The delivery of healthcare during flight requires crew readiness for medical and surgical response.


METHODS
There were 20 participants who were evaluated for accurate performance of 4 basic laparoscopic surgical skills (clip applying, cutting, grasping, and suturing) during parabolic weightlessness using an inanimate workstation aboard the NASA KC-135 aircraft.


RESULTS
Data indicate that motor skill performance decreased within the parabolic microgravity flight environment. Performance in parabolic microgravity flight included futile effort with an increase in number of tasks attempted and a decrease in tasks completed successfully.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a decreased frequency of accurate task completion in parabolic microgravity flight, but it is not an obstacle to implementation of effective training for providing in-flight medical care. The data reveal that individuals perform basic laparoscopic surgical simulation with greater effort in microgravity following simulation training.
Rafiq
Azhar
A
Medical Informatics and Technology Applications Consortium, Department of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA. arafiq@vcu.edu
Broderick
Timothy J
TJ
Williams
David R
DR
Doarn
Charles R
CR
Jones
Jeffrey A
JA
Merrell
Ronald C
RC
D000337:Aerospace Medicine / Q000592:standards*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D013026:Space Flight; D018474:Weightlessness Simulation