Robotic4all project: Results of a hands-on robotic surgery training program

Objective

Although robotic surgery adoption and its indications are growing worldwide, for multiple factors, including costs, there is a lack of training and experience. Our aim was to study the impact of a robotic introduction training program on gesture performance, such as suturing, in robot-naive individuals.

Methods

Using the DaVinci robot, a 2-hour program was based on virtual reality and anatomical model exercises. All participants performed 3 repetitions of virtual reality exercises on the virtual simulator, and then performed and were assessed on 2 tests, ie robot and laparoscopic training box. After the course, the participants were surveyed for this training program.

Results

Twenty-seven residents and surgeons were enrolled in the training program. With only 2 hours of training, all of the participants were able to complete the training program, thus learning generic and specific skills in robotic surgery. In virtual reality exercise, the scores of the 3 exercises increased significantly with every repetition (p < 0.001) and the size of the increase was large. The completion time on the robot platform was 2.6 times faster (169.33 ± 28.28 s vs. 447.96 ± 156.55 s, p < 0.001) than that in the laparoscopic box, and the difference between both types of tests was large (_pη² = 0.797). The centralization and passage of the needle were significantly better on the robot platform (5 vs. 3, p < 0.001, r = 0.47; 5 vs. 4, p < 0.001, r = 0.59) than in the laparoscopic box. For the intracorporeal stitch+knot test, every participant was able to perform the exercise on the robot but only 85.2% (23/27) in the laparoscopic box. Twenty-one participants answered the survey, and 13 (61.9%) of them considered robotic performance independent of laparoscopic experience.

Conclusions

Surgeons are interested and seek training in robotic surgery. We implemented the first hands-on robotic surgery training program in Portugal and participants considered it was important and adequate for its purpose. All participants, even without robotic experience, learned quicker, performed better, faster and more precisely on the robot over laparoscopy.