Development & evaluation of LapPass (TM): the laparoscopic passport

Abstract

Aims: Laparoscopic surgery is technically challenging and assessment of competency is necessary to ensure patient safety and guide training. Existing tools of assessment are mostly subjective, with a growing need for objective credentialing. LapPassTM was developed by a UKbased laparoscopic society as an accessible simulation assessment tool. The aim of this study was to report on its development and preliminary findings of usability and validity. Methods: LapPassTM consists of 4 tasks that test: bimanual dexterity, simulated appendicectomy, dissection and intracorporeal suturing. Participants were prospectively recruited from testing events. Online surveys were sent to assessors and participants to assess the usability, face and content validity of the tool. Options to respond were on a fivepoint Likert scale with ratings from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5). Results: LapPass was launched and offered to trainees as free-ofcharge assessment tool. 31 participants and 12 assessors took part. The 1st time pass rate for bimanual dexterity was 19/29 (65.5%), appendicectomy 13/23 (56.5%), dissection 20/27 (74.1%) and intracorporeal suturing 6/19 (31.5%). The mean scores for participants’ usability and validity were 3.8 and 4.12 for bimanual dexterity; 3.96 and 4.37 for appendicectomy; 4.5 and 4.16 for dissection and 3.84 and 4.52 for intracorporeal suturing. Assessors’ mean score of usability was 4.5 across all Abstracts | vii75 Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/bjs/article/108/Supplement_7/znab362.082/6411637 by Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust user on 10 January 2022 tasks. Assessors scored validity of bimanual dexterity 4.35, appendicectomy 4.42, dissection 3.71 and intracorporeal suturing 4.65. Conclusion: LapPassTM is a an accessible objective assessment tool for laparoscopic basic surgical skills with preliminary data to confirm its usability and face and content validity.