Background: Recent attempts to gain a more objective measure of surgical technical skill include the use of structured checklists and motion analysis of surgeons’ hand movements. We aim to show whether a correlation exists between these two methods of assessment.

Methods: Fifty subjects were recruited from four experience groups in general surgery, ranging from basic surgical trainees to consultants and were assessed performing a standardized laboratory-based task. Motion analysis using the Imperial College Surgical Assessment Device (ICSAD), which measures hand movements and time taken, and the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skill (OSATS) technique were used to measure skill.

Results: Number of movements made, time taken, and global rating score discriminated between performance and experience group (Kruskal-Wallis, P <0.001, P <0.01, P <0.001, respectively). There was a significant correlation between movements made and global rating score (Spearman coefficient 0.53, P <0.01). Checklist scoring was not an accurate predictor of experience.

Conclusions: There is a strong correlation between hand motion analysis using ICSAD and OSATS global rating assessments in this model.