Can surgical performance for varying experience be measured from hand motions?

David P. Azari, Brady L. Miller, Brian V. Le, Jacob A. Greenberg, Caprice C. Greenberg, Carl A.M. Pugh, Yu Hen Hu, Robert G. Radwin

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study evaluates if hand movements, tracked using digital video, can quantify in-context surgical performance. Participants of varied experience completed simple interrupted suturing and running subcuticular suturing tasks. Marker-less motion tracking software traced the two-dimensional position of a region of the hand for every video frame. Four expert observers rated 219 short video clips of participants performing the task from 0 to 10 along the following visual analog scales: fluidity of motion, motion economy, tissue handling, and coordination. Expert ratings of attending surgeon hand motions (mean=7.5, sd=1.3) were significantly greater (p<0.05) than medical students (mean=5.0, sd=1.9) and junior residents (mcan=6.4, sd= 1.5) for all rating scales. Significant differences (p<0.02) in mean path length per cycle were also observed both between medical students (803 mm, sd=374) and senior residents (491 mm, sd=216), and attendings (424 mm, sd=250) and junior residents (609 mm, sd=187). These results suggest that substantial gains in performance are attained after the second year of residency and that hand kinematics can predict differences in expert ratings for simulated suturing tasks commensurate with experience - a necessary step to develop valid and automatic on-demand feedback tools.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication62nd Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, HFES 2018
PublisherHuman Factors and Ergonomics Society Inc.
Pages583-587
Number of pages5
ISBN (Electronic)9781510889538
StatePublished - 2018
Externally publishedYes
Event62nd Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, HFES 2018 - Philadelphia, United States
Duration: Oct 1 2018Oct 5 2018

Publication series

NameProceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
Volume1
ISSN (Print)1071-1813

Conference

Conference62nd Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, HFES 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPhiladelphia
Period10/1/1810/5/18

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Human Factors and Ergonomics

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