Aims
Assessing surgical technical skills (TS) in a structured manner is a topical issue in the current surgical environment. To date there has been no attempt to comprehensively assess both generic and operation specific TS in live advanced laparoscopic colorectal surgery, in this study we aim to develop and validate a new tool which can assesses both generic and operation specific TS in laparoscopic colorectal surgery.
Methods
Hierarchical task analysis was constructed for generic and specific TS on three key laparoscopic colorectal operations: right hemicolectomy, sigmoid colectomy and anterior resection after expert discussions. Weighted likert scales were then constructed individually for generic and operation specific TS for each operation. The operating surgeon and the first assistant (either being the trainer or trainee) assessed each fundamental part of the operation according to the weighted likert scoring system after the operation was completed.
Results
52 live operations were assessed, performed by 4 Consultants and 6 Trainees. Inter class correlation coefficient between the operating surgeon and first assistant was 0.86, p = < 0.05 for generic technical skills and 0.92, p = < 0.05 for the operation specific technical skills. Construct validity for both generic and operation specific TS for Consultants and Trainees were significant using ANOVA, p = < 0.05.
Conclusions
This new assessment tool of TS in laparoscopic colorectal surgery is reliable, has face, content, concurrent and construct validities. The tool has the possibility of being used as an instant surgical training and appraisal tool, and circumvents watching videos retrospectively, which can take many hours.
Session: Podium Presentation
Program Number: S017