Ready for the robot? A cross-sectional survey of OB/GYN fellowship directors' experience and expectations of their incoming fellow's robotic surgical skills

Cross Sectional Survey of Ob/Gyn Residents' Graduated Experience With Robotic Surgery

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn) resident experience with robotic gynecologic surgery has been evaluated at time of graduation, but no specific surgical procedures were identified to differentiate the experiences of residents at each level. This study proposes to determine which factors are correlated with more hands-on robotic surgery experience and resident satisfaction.

DESIGN

An Investigational Review Board-approved, 15-question survey was distributed electronically. Ninety-eight responses were received for a rate of 44%. Linear regression and Analysis of Variance statistical analysis were performed.

SETTING

Current residents at 8 Ob/gyn residency programs in the US were surveyed.

PATIENTS

N/A.

INTERVENTIONS

Survey administration.

MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS

The majority of respondents were satisfied (48%) or had neutral feelings (20%) with regard to their robotic surgery experience. All respondents reported experience with uterine manipulation or bedside assistance by postgraduate year (PGY) 2. Earliest experience performing hysterectomy was most common in PGY2 or PGY3. Seventy-six percent of PGY3 or PGY4 residents report operating on the console for some or all major robotic surgeries, with 69% having participated in greater than 20 robotic surgery cases during residency. Only exposure to Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery faculty is significantly associated with high robotic surgery experience (p = .022). Overall satisfaction with robotic surgery experience increased significantly with higher level of participation (p <.0001), particularly operating at the console during some or most of the surgery; longitudinal experiences with hysterectomy, myomectomy, and salpingectomy/oophorectomy (p <.05); but not with sole bedside assisting or vaginal cuff closure. Factors limiting robotic console experience included case time constraints, lack of first assists, case complexity, and attending comfort.

CONCLUSIONS

Ob/Gyn resident satisfaction with training is significantly related to level and duration of robotic surgery participation. Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery faculty contribute to more resident experience, and limiting factors include time constraints, case complexity, and lack of first assists. These results can provide a framework for structuring resident training in robotic surgery.

Identifying key predictors for uterine manipulator use in robotic simple hysterectomy: a retrospective cohort analysis

Background

Robotic simple hysterectomy (RSH) is the most common robotic gynecologic surgery in the United States. Uterine manipulators are commonly used to handle the uterus during laparoscopic surgery, but few studies have examined their necessity in RSH. This study retrospectively compares RSH cases with and without the use of manipulators, and identifies predictors for their intraoperative use.

Materials and methods

This retrospective cohort study included patients undergoing RSH for benign pathologies at Kawasaki Medical School from October 2020 to December 2022. Patients with malignancies were excluded. The robotic surgeries were performed by three skilled surgeons using the four-arm da Vinci Xi surgical system. Data on perioperative and operative parameters were collected, including age, body mass index (BMI), history of abdominal surgery, disease type, presence of ovarian cysts, and operative time. Statistical analyses were performed using EZR software, with multivariate logistic regression to identify predictive factors for uterine manipulator use.

Results

The study included 113 patients who underwent RSH without a uterine manipulator and 58 with one. Patients without a manipulator were older, while those with a manipulator had higher BMIs and a higher prevalence of ovarian chocolate cysts and Douglas obliteration. Operating time was shorter without a manipulator. Independent predictors for manipulator use were higher BMI, presence of ovarian endometrioid cysts, and Douglas obliteration.

Conclusion

RSH without a uterine manipulator is feasible and can reduce the need for surgical assistants. Predictors for manipulator use include higher BMI, ovarian cysts, and Douglas obliteration. The use of a fourth robotic arm can enhance surgical independence and resource efficiency. Further research is needed to assess the long-term cost-effectiveness and outcomes of this approach.

Development of a Two-Week Dedicated Robotic Surgery Curriculum for General Surgery Residents

BACKGROUND

Robotic surgery has seen exponential growth over the past several years. However, there is no standardized training program implemented nationwide. Thus, there is a challenge in how to measure surgical proficiency and how to train future surgeons.

METHODS

In this study, all PGY3 general surgery residents from the University of Chicago residency program were assigned the curriculum. The curriculum consisted of seven sections: instrument mastery, simulation curriculum, suturing, inanimate drills, laparoscopic/open comparisons, surveys, mentor sessions, and exposure in the operating room. It was administered via a 2-week dedicated robotic rotation.

CONCLUSIONS

With the inevitable integration of robotic surgery in the operating room, it has become imperative to prepare future surgeons. However, learning curves and a resistance to voluntary compliance have halted progress. Thus, providing mastery-based training and protected time away from clinic duties is paramount. This curriculum aims to reduce these barriers and provide a standardizable training curriculum.