Correlation between a motion analysis method and Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills for assessing interns' performance in a simulated peg transfer task in Jordan: a validation study.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to validate the use of ProAnalyst (Xcitex Inc.), a program for professional motion analysts to assess the performance of surgical interns while performing the peg transfer task in a simulator box for safe practice in real minimally invasive surgery.

METHODS

A correlation study was conducted in a multidisciplinary skills simulation lab at the Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology from October 2019 to February 2020. Forty-one interns (i.e., novices and intermediates) were recruited, and an expert surgeon participated as a reference benchmark. Videos of participants’ performance were analyzed using ProAnalyst and the Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills (GOALS). The two sets of results were analyzed to identify correlations.

RESULTS

The motion analysis scores from Proanalyst were correlated with those from GOALS for efficiency (r=+0.38, P<0.05), autonomy (r=+0.63, P<0.01), depth perception (r=+0.43, P<0.05), dexterity (r=+0.71, P<0.001), and operation flow (r=+0.88, P<0.001). Both assessment methods differentiated the participants’ performance based on their experience level.

CONCLUSION

The motion analysis scoring method using Proanalyst provides an objective, time-efficient, and reproducible assessment of interns’ performance, with results comparable to those obtained using GOALS. It may require initial training and set-up; however, it eliminates the need for expert surgeon judgment.