Background: Recent attention has been directed at developing quantitative assessments of surgical skill. This study aims to demonstrate whether objectively measuring differences in manual dexterity has an impact on a simulated surgical procedure.
Methods: Six general surgical trainees performed 5 polytetrafluoroethylene graft to artery anastomoses on a vascular model by using a standardized technique. Manual dexterity was objectively measured with (1) electromagnetic motion analysis: trackers applied to the backs of hands recorded and analyzed both hand movements and procedural time and (2) 4-parameter evaluation of the final product. Outcome parameters were assessed by (1) rate of anastomotic leakage and (2) smallest cross-sectional area of the anastomosis.
Results: The 2 objective measures of manual dexterity correlated closely (Pearson coefficient, 0.423; P <.02). Trainees with better manual dexterity scores produced better outcome measures. Those with better motion analysis scores produced anastomoses that leaked less (Pearson coefficient, 0.514; P <.01) and those with higher global evaluation scores had a larger anastomotic cross-sectional area (Pearson coefficient, 0.495; P <.01). Time taken for the procedure did not appear to influence either outcome measure.
Conclusions: There is a significant correlation between objective measures of manual dexterity and the outcome measures in this model. This suggests that the outcome of a procedure can be predicted by measuring surgical skill.