Visuospatial ability is associated to 2D laparoscopic simulator performance amongst surgical residents

BACKGROUND: The technical skills of a surgeon influence surgical outcome. Testing technical aptitude at point of recruitment of surgical residents is only conducted in a few countries. This study investigated the impact of visuospatial ability (VSA), background factors, and manual dexterity on performance in two different laparoscopic surgical simulators amongst applicants and 1st year surgical residents. METHOD: Applicants from general surgery, pediatric surgery, and urology were included from seven hospitals in Sweden between 2017 and 2021. Some 73 applicants were invited and 50 completed. Participants filled out a background form, and were tested for manual dexterity, and visuospatial ability. Two laparoscopic simulators were used, one 2D video box trainer and one 3D Virtual Reality Simulator. RESULTS: A significant association was found between the visuospatial ability test and 2D video box laparoscopic performance (95 % CI: 1.028–1.2, p-value <0.01). For every point on the visuospatial test the odds of accomplishing the task increased by 11 %. No association was found between VSA and performance in a laparoscopic VR simulator using 3D vision. No other background factors were associated with performance in the two laparoscopic simulators. CONCLUSION: Visuospatial ability in applicants to surgical residency positions is associated to performance in a 2D video box trainer. Knowledge of a resident's visuospatial ability can be used to tailor individualized laparoscopic training programs, and in the future might function as a selection tool concerning laparoscopic ability. KEY MESSAGE: Visuospatial ability differs greatly amongst applicants for surgical residency and is associated to laparoscopic simulator performance. Testing applicants' visuospatial ability could possibly be used to tailor individualized laparoscopic training programs or in the future as a selection tool concerning laparoscopic ability.