Rating of camera navigation skills in colorectal surgery

PURPOSE: In advanced minimally invasive surgery the laparoscopic camera navigation (LCN) quality can influence the flow of the operation. This study aimed to investigate the applicability of a scoring system for LCN (SALAS score) in colorectal surgery and whether an adequate scoring can be achieved using a specified sequence of the operation. METHODS: The score was assessed by four blinded raters using synchronized video and voice recordings of 20 randomly selected laparoscopic colorectal surgeries (group A: assessment of the entire operation; group B: assessment of the 2nd and 3rd quartile). Experience in LCN was defined as at least 100 assistances in complex laparoscopic procedures. RESULTS: The surgical teams consisted of three residents, three fellows, and two attendings forming 15 different teams. The ratio between experienced and inexperienced camera assistants was balanced (n = 11 vs. n = 9). Regarding the total SALAS score, the four raters discriminated between experienced and inexperienced camera assistants, regardless of their group assignment (group A, p < 0.05; group B, p < 0.05). The score’s interrater variability and reliability were proven with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.88. No statistically relevant correlation was achieved between operation time and SALAS score. CONCLUSION: This study presents the first intraoperative, objective, and structured assessment of LCN in colorectal surgery. We could demonstrate that the SALAS score is a reliable tool for the assessment of LCN even when only the middle part (50%) of the procedure is analyzed. Construct validity was proven by discriminating between experienced and inexperienced camera assistants.