Operating under the influence: the effect of alcohol on operative performance using a virtual robotic training platform —an experimental comparative cohort study

AbstractAn elevated percentage of medical personnel reports using alcohol to relieve stress. Levels of alcohol addiction are almost double that of the general population. Robotic surgery is becoming more widespread. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of alcohol ingestion on performance of a standardized curriculum using a robotic training platform. Surgeons and surgical trainees were recruited. Candidates performed 4 standardized exercises (Vitruvian Operation (VO),Stacking Challenge (SC),Ring Tower (RT),Suture Sponge (SS)) at 0.0 blood alcohol concentration (BAC), followed by testing in the elimination phase at a target BAC of 0.8 ‰. Learning effects were minimised through prior training. A total of 20 participants were recruited. Scores for RT and SS exercises were significantly worse under the influence of alcohol [instruments out of view (SS (z = 2.012;p = 0.044), RT (z score 1.940,p = 0.049)),drops (SS (z = 3.250;p = 0.001)),instrument collisions (SS (z = 2.460;p = 0.014)),missed targets (SS (z = 2.907;p = 0.004)]. None of the scores improved with alcohol consumption, and there were measurable deleterious effects on the compound indicatorsrisk affinity andtissue handling. Despite the potential mitigating features of robotic surgery including tremor filtration, motion scaling, and improved three-dimensional visualization, alcohol consumption was associated with a significant increase in risk affinity and rough tissue...
Source: Journal of Robotic Surgery - Category: Surgery Source Type: research