LAUSR

The objective of this study is to develop the ‘Esophagectomy-specific Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills’ tool (E-OSATS) and determine its validity, reliability and feasibility of use. Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is a complex and technically demanding procedure. Increased morbidity and mortality are associated with the long learning curve of the procedure. Specific and structured feedback may shorten the learning curve and decrease the associated morbidity and mortality. Consensus regarding the essential procedural steps has recently been achieved and allows for development and validation of a procedure specific assessment tool for MIE (E-OSATS). The E-OSATS was created by anchoring previously defined essential steps for both Ivor-Lewis (IL) and McKeown (McK) approach. Ten video recordings of novice surgeons (<15 MIE performed) and 10 recordings of expert surgeons (>100 MIE performed) should be rated by two independent, blinded and trained raters. Records of time needed for the assessment are created. Inter-rater and test-retest reliability will be determined. Validity will be determined by analyzing differences between novice and expert surgeons. All IL video recordings are collected, McK collection is still pending. First assessments of video recordings are expected to take place in August 2019. We aim to collect all assessments before December 2019. We hypothesize that we will demonstrate the feasibility, reliability and validity of the E-OSATS in MIE specific assessment of technical skill. This tool will allow for specific and structured feedback and will potentially shorten the learning curve and decrease learning associated morbidity.