Peroperative analysis of the surgical procedure.

The increased technological complexity of surgery and the growing importance of quality assessment demand objective analysis of the surgical process. However, until now no standard method existed for analyzing the peroperative process. In this article, a methodology is discussed to describe and to analyze the surgical process. A method is given to measure the correctness and efficiency of task performance, protocols, and instruments used. In addition, reference values are defined so as to compare new instruments, alternative protocols, and the performance of new tasks with a standard. Finally, recommendations are given for improving new surgical tasks, the development of clinically driven instrument design, and new protocols.