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PS01.246: ESOPHAGECTOMY-SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE STRUCTURED ASSESSMENT OF TECHNICAL SKILL (E-OSATS): CONSENSUS ON ESSENTIAL STEPS THROUGH DELPHI METHODOLOGY


 
 
 Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is a technically demanding procedure, but without consensus regarding essential steps and assessment of surgical technique. The objective of this study was to determine expert consensus on essential steps in MIE as a first step in the development of an ‘esophagectomy-specific objective structured assessment of technical skills’ tool (E-OSATS).
 
 
 
 Essential steps were defined for both MIE with intrathoracic- and cervical anastomosis, based on local expert opinion, peer-reviewed literature and surgical textbooks. In round table discussion disparities between experts were resolved, and an online Delphi questionnaire was sent to an international expert panel of minimally invasive upper GI surgeons. Based on replies and comments steps were adjusted and resent in iterative fashion.
 
 
 
 A total of 137 and 138 essential steps were identified for the MIE with intrathoracic- and cervical anastomosis respectively. After the first Delphi round 24 out of 36 (67%) invited international experts replied, and consensus was reached in 99 out of 137 (72%) and 95 out of 138 steps for both procedures respectively.
 
 
 
 A Delphi method seems feasible in determining essential steps as a first step in the development of an E-OSATS for both MIE with intrathoracic- and cervical anastomosis. The second Delphi round is currently pending.
 
 
 
 All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
