Description of the Dunning-Kruger effect in general surgery residents during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a blinded prospective study

ABSTRACT Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess whether the Dunning-Kruger effect occurs in surgical residents when performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a porcine model. Methods: Prospective blinded study, which counted with forty PGY-1 general surgery residents who agreed to participate in the study were blindly recruited to perform a laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a porcine model. At the end of the procedure, the participants assigned a score of 0-10 for their own performance and the video of the operation was independently assessed by 2 experienced laparoscopic surgeons using a validated tool. Results: Participants were divided into groups of 10 individuals according to objective performance and compared. The group with the worst objective result was inferior to the group with the best objective result (3.77 ± 0.44 vs. 8.1 ± 0.44, p < 0.001), but they were similar in self-perception of performance (5.11 ± 1.69 vs. 6.1 ± 1.79, p = 0.999). Conclusions: In the studied sample, it was possible to demonstrate the presence of the Dunning-Kruger effect.