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Assessment of progress and competence in tonsillectomy surgery using cumulative sum analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 July 2018

A K Abou-Foul ,
A Taghi ,
N S Tolley  and
Z Awad
A K Abou-Foul*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
A Taghi
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
N S Tolley
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK Department of Surgery, Imperial College London, UK
Z Awad
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK Department of Surgery, Imperial College London, UK
*
Author for correspondence: Dr Ahmad K Abou-Foul, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, St Mary's Hospital, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, UK E-mail: Dr.akaboufoul@hotmail.com Fax: +44 203 312 1847
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Abstract

Objective

To assess the feasibility of using cumulative sum analysis to show trainees’ performance curves and highlight concerns in tonsillectomy surgery.

Methods

In this prospective study, the performance of eight otolaryngology trainees (in their first 6–12 months in the specialty) was compared to that of experts (over 150 tonsillectomies performed) in terms of operative time and post-operative complications. Cumulative sum analysis curves were generated to highlight trainees’ performance, and were updated after each performance.

Results

The average operative time was 23 minutes (standard deviation = 11) for experts and 38 minutes (standard deviation = 16) for trainees (p < 0.0001). Cumulative sum analysis charts for trainees’ operative time initially rose and then started to plateau after a number of cases (range, 25–30), while that of experts remained low. Cumulative sum analysis charts for complications can be used to monitor performance. In this study, complications were combined (because of low incidence) to allow use of this outcome measure.

Conclusion

The flexibility of the cumulative sum analysis makes it adaptable to any outcome. It is a strong adjunct in surgical training to monitor progress and competence. Its sensitivity also allows early detection of poor performance, to instigate intervention.

Keywords

TonsillectomySurgical TrainingLearning CurveClinical CompetencyOutcomes AssessmentOtolaryngology
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 132 , Issue 8 , August 2018 , pp. 734 - 738
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited, 2018 

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Footnotes

Dr A K Abou-Foul takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

Data from this study were presented at the 177th American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Foundation annual meeting, 29 September – 2 October 2013, Vancouver, Canada.

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