Working volume: Validity evidence for a motion-based metric of surgical efficiency

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate working volume as a potential assessment metric for open surgical tasks. Methods Surgical attendings (n = 6), residents (n = 4), and medical students (n = 5) performed a suturing task on simulated connective tissue (foam), artery (rubber balloon), and friable tissue (tissue paper). Using a motion tracking system, effective working volume was calculated for each hand. Repeated measures analysis of variance assessed differences in working volume by experience level, dominant and/or nondominant hand, and tissue type. Results Analysis revealed a linear relationship between experience and working volume. Attendings had the smallest working volume, and students had the largest (P =.01). The 3-way interaction of experience level, hand, and material type showed attendings and residents maintained a similar working volume for dominant and nondominant hands for all tasks. In contrast, medical students' nondominant hand covered larger working volumes for the balloon and tissue paper materials (P <.05). Conclusions This study provides validity evidence for the use of working volume as a metric for open surgical skills. Working volume may provide a means for assessing surgical efficiency and the operative learning curve.