2005 SAGES Abstracts

POSTER ABSTRACTS
SAGES 2005
Our study shows that this global assessment tool for live surgery
has construct validity and is able to differentiate from
generic surgical technical skills and procedure specific skills.
We aim to recruit more surgeons to our study and develop a
parallel technical skills error scoring system. Also we aim to
assess other common open and laparoscopic operations.
P170–Education/Outcomes
ANALYSIS OF PSYCHOMOTOR SKILLS USED IN LEARNING
TEP, Scott Ellner DO,David Easter MD, Michelle K Savu MD,
UCSD, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA
Introduction:Acquisition of advanced laparoscopic skills is necessary
for continued learning of new emerging laparoscopic
procedures. Which skills are essential for rapid and safe learning
have yet to be defined. By using a standardized technique
for dissection of hernias by TEP, we compared two groups of
residents, one more novice (PGY-3) and one more experienced
(PGY4-5) to assess the learning ability and skills necessary for
acquisition of this technique.
Methods: During a period from October 2003 until August
2004, 31 patients underwent 55 hernia repairs, the majority of
patients had bilateral hernias (23 patients) while the remaining
9 had recurrent hernia repairs. All participating residents had
seen or performed less than 1 TEP before starting in this
study. Each resident was proctored by the same attending
using a standardized approach to the TEP procedure. All procedures
were recorded and analyzed according to psychomotor
skills performed and at which frequency. Skills included
use of 2 hands for grasping, dissection, counter traction, cutting,
manipulation of mesh, and ability to staple at fixation
point with accuracy (i.e. lack of slippage from intended insertion
point).
Results: The average age of the patient was 58 (31-81) years
old. Three of 31 patients (5 hernias) were converted to open
technique for inability to identify anatomy (2) or bleeding (1).
Group 1 (PGY-3) performed 20 hernia repairs while group2
(PGY 4-5) performed 30 repairs by the TEP method. The average
operating time for Group 1 vs. 2 was 64 vs. 52 minutes
(p