Quality evolution of laparoscopic cholecystectomy videos over two decades: a comparative study of YouTube and WebSurg.

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most commonly performed surgeries worldwide. With the rise of online platforms like YouTube and WebSurg, surgical videos have become popular educational tools. However, the quality of these videos varies, raising concerns about their reliability. This study evaluates the changes in the quality of laparoscopic cholecystectomy videos over two decades and compares the educational value of YouTube and WebSurg videos.

Methods: Twenty-four videos were analyzed and divided into four groups: older YouTube, older WebSurg, newer YouTube, and newer WebSurg. Six videos from each group were selected based on relevance and popularity. Three independent surgeons assessed them using standardized scoring systems, including the JAMA Benchmark Score, Global Quality Score (GQS), LAP-VEGaS, and a new Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy-Specific Score (LAP Chole-SS). Video characteristics such as duration, uploader type, and viewer engagement were also considered. Statistical comparisons were made between the groups.

Results: The analysis showed that although newer videos were longer, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.74). Newer videos had significantly better image quality (P < 0.001). WebSurg videos consistently outperformed YouTube videos across all evaluation criteria. WebSurg scored higher in the JAMA Benchmark (2.62 versus 1.66), GQS (3.58 versus 2.63), LAP-VEGaS (13.7 versus 6.58), and LAP Chole-SS (4.08 versus 2.33).

Conclusion: In conclusion, WebSurg provides higher-quality, peer-reviewed content, making it more reliable for surgical education, while YouTube offers accessibility but often lacks educational rigor.