Abstract

Purpose
This study aims to validate the use of ProAnalyst (Xcitex Inc.), a software 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 through the ProAnalyst and Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills (GOALS). Two results were s analyzed for correlation.
Results
The motion analysis scores by Proanalyst were correlated with those by GOALS for novices (r=-0.62925, p-value=0.009), and Intermediates (r= -0.53422, P=0.033). Both assessment methods differentiated the participants’ performance based on their experience level.
Conclusion
The motion analysis scoring method with Proanalyst provides an objective, time-efficient, and reproducible assessment of interns’ performance, and comparable to GOALS. It may require initial training and set-up; however, it eliminates the need for expert surgeon judgment.

• Keywords: Internship and residency; Laparoscopy; Minimally invasive surgical procedures; Surgeons; Jordan