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.