An Analysis of the Effect of selected Factors on microsurgical Performance.

BACKGROUND: Microsurgery is a specific surgical expertise that involves operating on very small structures, and requires the assistance of a magnifying device: a microscope or loupes. Several factors have been identified that could affect the quality of microsurgical performance in training or surgical procedures. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the selected factors - caffeine, alcohol and physical exercise - on a microsurgical task prior its performance. METHODS: Ten students from the 5th and 6th years of medical studies who had completed the advanced microsurgical course performed a "6-stitches test" on a latex glove spanned over a cup prior to and after consumption of caffeine, alcohol and performing physical exercises. The times taken to complete the task at baseline and post-exposure were recorded. RESULTS: The results of the study show a statistically significant positive effect of caffeine and a statistically significant negative effect of physical exercise on microsurgical performance when performed shortly before the task. Small dose of alcohol taken before the task showed had little effect on performance.

An Assesment of Usefulness of Smartphone as a Magnifying Device for Microsurgery Training.

BACKGROUND: Currently available smartphones are equipped with optic systems allowing even 10x magnifi-ca-tion, which makes it possible to use them as magnifying devices for microsurgery training. The objective of this study was to assess the usefulness of smartphones for basic microsurgery training. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two students began experimental microsurgical training using a smartphone as a magni-fy-ing device. Both students had acquired microsurgical skills following training under the microscope. For the expe-riment, the time of completion of a "6 stitches" test was measured and compared for each student using a smartphone and a microscope, after 1 and 6 hours of training using only a smartphone. RESULTS: After one hour of training, the first student completed the "6 stitches" test within 7:52 min. under the mi-croscope and within 16:35 min. using a smartphone, while the respective scores of the second student were 12:31 and 20:12 min.. In both cases the time required to complete the test was longer when working with a smartphone. The test was repeated after 6 hours of practice with a telephone, and the results now were as follows: first student 7:10 min. with the microscope and 12:50 min. with a smartphone, second student 8:54 min. with the microscope and 12:01 min. with a smartphone. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The microsurgical skills of both trainees improved gradually when they were using a smartphone (by 3:8 min. and 8:1 min) and the microscope (by 0:4 min. and 3:8 min). 2. Two drawbacks of the smartphone were noticed: lack of three-dimensional vision, deteriorating vertical orientation in the operating field and worse vision quality compared to the microscope. 3. Advantages of this tool include the availability of training at home, low cost and possibility of analysis of images recorded in the smartphone memory.