Optimal eye movement strategies: a comparison of neurosurgeons gaze patterns when using a surgical microscope

Abstract

Maintaining steady visual attention on the target (fixation), as well as being able to quickly make eye jumps from one target to another (saccades) are two important elements for the success of neurosurgery. The captured gaze patterns can be used to improve medical education, as part of an assessment system or in a gaze-training application.

Blink-Based Estimation of Suturing Task Workload and Expertise in Microsurgery

“…These findings further advance our understanding of the workload and task difficulty in microsurgical suturing tasks. Previously, gaze-direction data such as fixation durations and locations were shown to distinguish experts from novices in microsurgical tasks [29], [30]. Here, for the first time, we show how various phases of the suture act produce workloads variations.…”

The Identification of Factors That Influence the Quality of Bypass Anastomosis and an Evaluation of the Usefulness of an Experimental Practical Scale in This Regard

“…21,22 Actions that do not fulfil their objective and time taken to perform the bypass Actions that do not achieve their objective consume time and, more importantly, disturb eye-hand orientation, the flexibility of the surgeon and self-confidence. 2,3,13,23,24 Although time is always measured during a bypass procedure, it is difficult to quantify the most optimal cut-off. The criterion of speed is not as important as the achievement of speed in combination with the other evaluated factors, i.e., achieving a score of 1 for completing the procedure in ≤ 20 minutes is more…”

“…Vital steps need to be taken to ensure the quality of vascular anastomosis during bypass surgery. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] It is critical to ensure that the time taken to minimise blood flow during the procedure is as brief as possible as this is a significant source of stress for the neurosurgeon 12,13 and can impact on the quality of suturing.…”

Simple training tricks for mastering and taming bypass procedures in neurosurgery

“…Recent techniques such as simulation and virtual reality have been developed to facilitate neurosurgical training. [ 2 3 6 10 11 14 17 19 ] Yet, the reliability of these techniques in producing better neurosurgeons is still to be verified. Moreover, the availability of these novel training methods is limited.…”

“…Eye-hand coordination enables fine motor skills and control of the microinstruments, which are the foundation of microsuturing. [ 6 7 16 19 ] To be able to flexibly control the instruments at all times is imperative for successful bypass procedures. Microsuturing demands interchangeable smooth closing and opening pressures of the microinstruments, even in suboptimal positions.…”