title: Construct validity of a video-tracking system based on orthogonal cameras approach for objective assessment of laparoscopic skills.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was aimed to establish the construct validity of a video-tracking system based on orthogonal cameras approach for assessment of laparoscopic psychomotor skills in training environments.
  
  
  METHODS
  The camera-tracking system consists of two webcams placed in orthogonal configuration at a distance of 13.5 cm. The orthogonal cameras employ a color segmentation algorithm to register the 3D motions of the laparoscopic instruments using colored tapes placed on the distal end. For construct validity, 31 participants (4 experts and 27 residents) performed three training tasks in a laparoscopic box trainer with the built-in orthogonal cameras system. Eleven motion-related parameters were used to evaluate their performance. Statistical analysis was performed, and results between two groups were compared using a Mann-Whitney U-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Construct validity results showed statistical differences in almost all motion-related parameters for assessment of laparoscopic technical skills. Results demonstrated that the orthogonal video-based tracking system was able to differentiate laparoscopic experience between experts and trainees surgeons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The orthogonal cameras system was successfully validated in a laparoscopic box trainer. This video-based tracking system was able to distinguish performance between experts and trainees surgeons, showing its potential as a reliable tool to assess laparoscopic psychomotor skills. The orthogonal cameras allow incorporating the advantages of this video motion-tracking technology with the benefits of the traditional laparoscopic box trainers, creating realistic haptic feedback and allowing the evaluation of psychomotor skills of the surgeons.
authors.affiliation: Bioelectronics Section, Department of Electrical Engineering, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional No. 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360, Mexico, DF, Mexico. ferescamirosa@unam.mx.|Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Circuito Interior, Av. Universidad 3000, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, 04510, Mexico, DF, Mexico. ferescamirosa@unam.mx.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pérez-Escamirosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Surgery, The American British Cowdray Medical Center, I.A.P (ABC), Sur 136 No.116, Col. Las, Américas, 01120, Mexico, DF, Mexico.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chousleb-Kalach
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Surgery, The American British Cowdray Medical Center, I.A.P (ABC), Sur 136 No.116, Col. Las, Américas, 01120, Mexico, DF, Mexico.
authors.forename: Maria Del Carmen
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Hernández-Baro
authors.affiliation: Bioengineering and Health Technologies Unit, Jesús Usón Minimally Invasive Surgery Centre, Carretera N-521, km 41.8, 10071, Cáceres, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan Alberto
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Margallo
authors.affiliation: Bioelectronics Section, Department of Electrical Engineering, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional No. 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360, Mexico, DF, Mexico.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lorias-Espinoza
authors.affiliation: Bioelectronics Section, Department of Electrical Engineering, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico (CINVESTAV-IPN), Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional No. 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, 07360, Mexico, DF, Mexico.
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Minor-Martínez
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000193:education*; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D014741:Video Recording
keywords: Laparoscopic surgery; Motion analysis; Objective evaluation; Orthogonal cameras system; Validation; Video-based tracking