Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42675298›Full record

SynthesisSurgical endoscopy2026

Objective technical skills assessment in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a systematic review of manual, kinematic, and AI-based tools.

Elizabeth M A Mainwaring, Nadia Guidozzi, Jonnie P James, Jai Pantling, Nainika Menon, Riadh Salem, Sheraz R Markar

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Surgical endoscopy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Elizabeth M A MainwaringSurgical Intervention Trials Unit, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. lily.mainwaring@msd.ox.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7833-2548
Nadia GuidozziSurgical Intervention Trials Unit, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Jonnie P JamesFaculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King's College, London, UK.
Jai PantlingSchool of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Nainika MenonSurgical Intervention Trials Unit, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Riadh SalemSurgical Intervention Trials Unit, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Sheraz R MarkarSurgical Intervention Trials Unit, Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTechnical errors during surgery are a major contributor to preventable adverse outcomes, driving demand for objective assessment tools. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is a commonly performed procedure with a clearly defined set of procedure-related complications, making it an ideal candidate for targeted assessment.

objectiveTo evaluate manual, kinematic, and AI-based technical skills assessment tools for LC and compare validity evidence and methodological quality.

methodsA PRISMA 2020-compliant systematic review (PROSPERO CRD420251125937) searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library from inception to 12 August 2025. Studies evaluating objective LC skill assessment tools were included. Two reviewers independently performed screening. Data extraction and study appraisal were performed with independent verification by a second reviewer. Validity was assessed using Messick's framework, methodological quality using MERSQI, and risk of bias using COSMIN for manual and kinematic studies and QUADAS-2 for AI studies. Results were synthesised narratively.

resultsSixty studies were included (41 manual, 6 kinematic, 13 AI). Most were single centre and retrospective. Manual tools demonstrated the largest body of validity evidence across independent cohorts, though reliability was variable and outcome associations were lacking. Kinematic systems quantified motion but had limited validation. AI systems showed strong internal performance and early real-time use, particularly for critical view of safety detection, but lacked external validation and clinical impact evidence. LIMITATIONS: Heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis and limited assessment of reporting bias and certainty.

conclusionsNo tool demonstrated sufficient validity to represent a gold standard. Manual tools are most mature but lack scalability, while AI systems show promise but require robust validation and evidence of clinical impact.

Indexed as

Artificial IntelligenceCholecystectomy, LaparoscopicClinical CompetenceBiomechanical PhenomenaHumansReproducibility of ResultsArtificial intelligenceLaparoscopic cholecystectomySurgical educationSurgical skill assessmentTechnical skillsValidity evidence

Identifiers

PMID42675298
PMCPMC13633379

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.