title: Multicenter proficiency benchmarks for advanced laparoscopic suturing tasks.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Advanced laparoscopic suturing (LS) tasks were developed based on a needs assessment. Initial validity evidence has been shown. The purpose of this multicenter study was to determine expert proficiency benchmarks for these tasks.
  
  
  METHODS
  6 tasks were included: needle handling (NH), offset-camera forehand suturing (OF), offset-camera backhand suturing (OB), confined space suturing (CF), suturing under tension (UT), and continuous suturing (CS). Minimally invasive surgeons experienced in LS completed the tasks twice. Mean time and median accuracy scores were used to establish the benchmarks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen MIS surgeons enrolled, from 7 academic centers. Mean (95% CI) time in seconds to complete each task was: NH 169 (149-189), OF 158 (134-181), OB 189 (154-224), CF 181 (156-205), UT 379 (334-423), and CS 416 (354-477). Very few errors in accuracy were made by experts in each of the tasks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Time- and accuracy-based proficiency benchmarks for 6 advanced LS tasks were established. These benchmarks will be included in an advanced laparoscopic surgery curriculum currently under development.
authors: Steinberg-Bernstein Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Innovation, McGill University Health Centre, Canada.
authors: Elif
authors: E
authors: Bilgic
authors: Steinberg-Bernstein Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Innovation, McGill University Health Centre, Canada; Department of Gastroenterological Surgery II, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.
authors: Yusuke
authors: Y
authors: Watanabe
authors: Department of General Surgery, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, USA.
authors: Dmitry
authors: D
authors: Nepomnayshy
authors: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, USA.
authors: Aimee
authors: A
authors: Gardner
authors: MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, USA.
authors: Shimae
authors: S
authors: Fitzgibbons
authors: University of Arizona, USA.
authors: Iman
authors: I
authors: Ghaderi
authors: Virginia Mason Medical Center, USA.
authors: Adnan
authors: A
authors: Alseidi
authors: Carolinas Health Care System, USA.
authors: Dimitrios
authors: D
authors: Stefanidis
authors: LSU Health New Orleans Health Sciences Center, USA.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Paige
authors: Baystate Medical Center, USA.
authors: Neal
authors: N
authors: Seymour
authors: Steinberg-Bernstein Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Innovation, McGill University Health Centre, Canada.
authors: Katherine M
authors: KM
authors: McKendy
authors: Department of General Surgery, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, USA.
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Birkett
authors: Tufts University School of Medicine, USA.
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Whitledge
authors: Baystate Medical Center, USA.
authors: Erica
authors: E
authors: Kane
authors: Carolinas Health Care System, USA.
authors: Nicholas E
authors: NE
authors: Anton
authors: Steinberg-Bernstein Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Innovation, McGill University Health Centre, Canada.
authors: Melina C
authors: MC
authors: Vassiliou
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D019985:Benchmarking; D002170:Canada; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D061646:Operative Time; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000066908:Simulation Training; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States
keywords: Assessment; Competency; Laparoscopy; Performance; Proficiency; Simulation; Suturing