Quantitative evaluation of phonomicrosurgical manipulations using a magnetic motion tracking system.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS To present and evaluate the magnetic-based phonomicrosurgery instrument tracking system, a novel and objective method of acquiring instrument position data during simulated phonomicrosurgery. The position data can be used to compute quantitative motion metrics. This system was used to objectively evaluate the motion performance of novice and expert surgeons during phonomicrosurgical simulations and determine the differences between these groups. STUDY DESIGN Prospective cohort study. METHODS A magnetic-based phonomicrosurgery instrument tracking system was developed, including a workbench, independent task, motion metrics, and computer program. Based on this system, three experts' and six novices' motion data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS Experts demonstrated significantly better motion smoothness along the y-axis for the dominant hand. For the nondominant hand, experts demonstrated better motion smoothness along all three axes, shorter path length, and better depth perception (P < .05). Experts also demonstrated higher quality of operation (P < .001). No significant difference in time was noted (P = .671). CONCLUSIONS Parameters derived from magnetic-based motion tracking were able to differentiate between expert and novice surgeons. These parameters have the potential to be used in phonomicrosurgical training as feedback to enhance the training process.