The Anatomy of a Surgical Simulation

Abstract

Engineers, computer programmers, and surgeons have begun to develop virtual reality simulators designed to teach the physical aspects of surgical skills, especially the skills needed to perform minimally invasive procedures. The technologies incorporated in these simulations, including graphic modeling, haptic (tactile and kinesthetic) interface design, and haptic cognitive studies, reconstruct surgical knowledge that traditionally remains tacit, such as knowledge of surgeons' movements and forces used on tissues. A surgeon's physical experience becomes mathematized when programmers reconstruct it for computers. This paper describes how researchers construct 'body objects', representations of bodies and body parts that are engineered to inhabit computer programs. This paper argues that surgical learning occurs at the interface of bodies and instruments, through simultaneous sculpting of the surgical site and training of the surgeon's body, a process I call mutual articulation.

The Contexts of Control: Information, Power, and Truck-Driving Work

“…A chief mechanism for such control is the abstraction and rationalization of knowledge, a dynamic initially documented in the realm of industrial production (Braverman 1974;Zuboff 1988). Traditional craftsmanship and manual labor are embodied, process driven, and contextual (what Zuboff terms "action-centered"); even contemporary professionalized work very often depends on direct local or biophysical perception of cues (consider Daipha [2007] on weather forecasters and Bailey, Leonardi, and Barley [2012] on auto engineers) and embodiment as a tool for knowledge construction (Vertesi 2012;Prentice 2005Prentice , 2007Myers 2008). …”

Learning from Surgery: How Medical Knowledge is Constructed

“…Thereby, each surgeon reproduces the certainty of personal experience based on medical practice. In concrete clinical practice, the surgeon furthers medical knowledge, building it up and strengthening it, such as practical skills, or what surgeons call as "good hands" (Prentice (2005). The opportunity provided by performing clinical practice serves as the statement of what has been read and thereby reinforces what has been learned in theory.…”

“…The work of Prentice (2005) examines the application of new technologies incorporated in simulators designed to develop surgical skills, especially those required to perform minimally invasive procedures. The simulators reconstruct surgical knowledge, such as practical skills (or what surgeons call 'good hands') that remains tacit.…”

“…The simulators reconstruct surgical knowledge, such as practical skills (or what surgeons call 'good hands') that remains tacit. Prentices' main argument is that surgical learning occurs at the interface of the bodies and technologies, through the work in surgical situ, so to speak, and the training of the surgeon's hands: a process that Prentice (2005) calls "mutual articulation. "…”

Gluing life together. Computer simulation in the life sciences: an introduction

“…1To give an impression, see for the social sciences, Suleiman et al (2000); archaeology, Wurzer et al (2015); surgery, Dasgupta et al (2013), Prentice (2005); medicine, Edwards et al (2010); heritage studies, Ch'ng et al (2013); and for various applications in the humanities, or the organization of our social world, Turkle et al (2009). …”