Spatial ability and learning the use of an angled laparoscope in a virtual environment.

Little is known about the cognitive demands that underlie surgical performance. Several studies have suggested that spatial ability plays a substantial role in surgical skill. An example of a skill in which spatial cognition appears to be of importance is the use of the angled laparoscope. This paper describes a virtual environment designed to assess and train the use of the angled laparoscope. The learning rates of novices learning the skill for the first time in the virtual environment were measured. The rates were found to be highly variable and strongly correlated with spatial ability.