First-year Analysis of the Operating Room Black Box Study

This study aimed to identify intraoperative errors, events, distractions, and measure the technical skills of surgeons in minimally invasive surgery. Conducted at an academic hospital, it focused on 132 consecutive patients undergoing elective laparoscopic general surgery during the first year after implementing a multiport data capture system, the OR Black Box®. The study found that auditory distractions occurred frequently, with a median of 138 distractions per case, and cognitive distractions were observed in 64% of cases. Additionally, a median of 20 errors and 8 events were identified per case, particularly during the dissection and reconstruction phases. It was also noted that residents displayed lower technical skills compared to attending surgeons. The study highlights the significant role of intraoperative distractions and variations in surgeon performance, emphasizing the need for data-driven approaches to improve surgical safety.