Abstract

Introduction

Robot-assisted surgery is often performed by experienced laparoscopic surgeons. However, this technique requires a different set of technical skills and surgeons are expected to alternate between these approaches. The aim of this study is to investigate the crossover effects when switching between laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgery.

Methods

An international multicentre crossover study was conducted. Trainees with distinctly different levels of experience were divided into three groups (novice, intermediate, expert). Each trainee performed six trials of a standardized suturing task using a laparoscopic box trainer and six trials using the da Vinci surgical robot. Both systems were equipped with the ForceSense system, measuring five force-based parameters for objective assessment of tissue handling skills. Statistical comparison was done between the sixth and seventh trial to identify transition effects. Unexpected changes in parameter outcomes after the seventh trial were further investigated.

Results

A total of 720 trials, performed by 60 participants, were analysed. The expert group increased their tissue handling forces with 46% (maximum impulse 11.5 N/s to 16.8 N/s, p = 0.05), when switching from robot-assisted surgery to laparoscopy. When switching from laparoscopy to robot-assisted surgery, intermediates and experts significantly decreased in motion efficiency (time (sec), resp. 68 vs. 100, p = 0.05, and 44 vs. 84, p = 0.05). Further investigation between the seventh and ninth trial showed that the intermediate group increased their force exertion with 78% (5.1 N vs. 9.1 N, p = 0.04), when switching to robot-assisted surgery.

Conclusion

The crossover effects in technical skills between laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgery are highly depended on the prior experience with laparoscopic surgery. Where experts can alternate between approaches without impairment of technical skills, novices and intermediates should be aware of decay in efficiency of movement and tissue handling skills that could impact patient safety. Therefore, additional simulation training is advised to prevent from undesired events.

Details

Title
Crossover-effects in technical skills between laparoscopy and robot-assisted surgery
Author
Hardon, Sem F. 1 ; Willuth, E. 2 ; Rahimi, A. Masie 3 ; Lang, F. 2 ; Haney, Caelan M. 2 ; Felinska, Eleni A. 2 ; Kowalewski, Karl-Friedrich 2 ; Müller-Stich, Beat P. 2 ; van der Peet, Donald L. 4 ; Daams, Freek 4 ; Nickel, F. 2 ; Horeman, Tim 5 

 Amsterdam UMC – VU University Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (GRID:grid.16872.3a) (ISNI:0000 0004 0435 165X); Delft University of Technology, Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Delft, The Netherlands (GRID:grid.5292.c) (ISNI:0000 0001 2097 4740) 
 Heidelberg University, Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Heidelberg, Germany (GRID:grid.7700.0) (ISNI:0000 0001 2190 4373) 
 Amsterdam UMC – VU University Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (GRID:grid.16872.3a) (ISNI:0000 0004 0435 165X); Amsterdam Skills Centre for Health Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (GRID:grid.16872.3a) 
 Amsterdam UMC – VU University Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (GRID:grid.16872.3a) (ISNI:0000 0004 0435 165X) 
 Delft University of Technology, Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Delft, The Netherlands (GRID:grid.5292.c) (ISNI:0000 0001 2097 4740) 
Pages
6015-6024
Publication year
2023
Publication date
Aug 2023
Publisher
Springer Nature B.V.
ISSN
09302794
e-ISSN
14322218
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2836108553
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2023. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.