Authors: Rafiq, Azhar; Broderick, Timothy J.; Williams, David R.; Doarn, Charles R.; Jones, Jeffrey A.; Merrell, Ronald C.

Source: Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, Volume 76, Number 4, April 2005 , pp. 385-391(7)

Publisher: Aerospace Medical Association

Abstract:

Rafiq A, Broderick TJ, Williams DR, Doarn CR, Jones JA, Merrell RC. Assessment of simulated surgical skills in parabolic microgravity. Aviat Space Environ Med 2005; 76:385–391.

Background: During spaceflight crew health is paramount in the success of flight missions. The delivery of healthcare during flight requires crew readiness for medical and surgical response. Methods: There were 20 participants who were evaluated for accurate performance of 4 basic laparoscopic surgical skills (clip applying, cutting, grasping, and suturing) during parabolic weightlessness using an inanimate workstation aboard the NASA KC-135 aircraft. Results: Data indicate that motor skill performance decreased within the parabolic microgravity flight environment. Performance in parabolic microgravity flight included futile effort with an increase in number of tasks attempted and a decrease in tasks completed successfully. Conclusions: There is a decreased frequency of accurate task completion in parabolic microgravity flight, but it is not an obstacle to implementation of effective training for providing in-flight medical care. The data reveal that individuals perform basic laparoscopic surgical simulation with greater effort in microgravity following simulation training.

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Keywords: laparoscopic surgical simulation; medical care; training; surgery in space; laparoscopic surgery

Document Type: Short communication

Publication date: 2005-04-01

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• The peer-reviewed monthly journal, Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine (ASEM) provides contact with physicians, life scientists, bioengineers, and medical specialists working in both basic medical research and in its clinical applications. It is the most used and cited journal in its field. ASEM is distributed to more than 80 nations.
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