Elsevier

Journal of Biomedical Informatics

Volume 59, February 2016, Pages 102-114
Journal of Biomedical Informatics

Affordable, web-based surgical skill training and evaluation tool

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbi.2015.11.002Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • We proposed a video-based skill assessment technique for minimally invasive surgery.

  • The system extracts surgical proficiency features from hand and tool movement video.

  • Real time performance feedback and the assessment score in displayed.

  • Experiment shows steeper learning curve when using the tool.

Abstract

Advances in the medical field have increased the need to incorporate modern techniques into surgical resident training and surgical skills learning. To facilitate this integration, one approach that has gained credibility is the incorporation of simulator based training to supplement traditional training programs. However, existing implementations of these training methods still require the constant presence of a competent surgeon to assess the surgical dexterity of the trainee, which limits the evaluation methods and relies on subjective evaluation. This research proposes an efficient, effective, and economic video-based skill assessment technique for minimally invasive surgery (MIS). It analyzes a surgeon’s hand and surgical tool movements and detects features like smoothness, efficiency, and preciseness. The system is capable of providing both real time on-screen feedback and a performance score at the end of the surgery. Finally, we present a web-based tool where surgeons can securely upload MIS training videos and receive evaluation scores and an analysis of trainees’ performance trends over time.

Keywords

Skill assessment
Feature detection
Computer vision
Web-based evaluation tool
Surgery

Cited by (0)

We acknowledge the support of NSF (Grant No. 0904778). We thank Akshay Vankipuram for his help in editing the manuscript.