Print Email Facebook Twitter Robotic-assisted cholecystectomy is superior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the initial training for surgical novices in an ex vivo porcine model Title Robotic-assisted cholecystectomy is superior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the initial training for surgical novices in an ex vivo porcine model: a randomized crossover study Author Willuth, E. (Heidelberg University Hospital) Hardon, S.F. (TU Delft Medical Instruments & Bio-Inspired Technology; Amsterdam UMC) Lang, F. (Heidelberg University Hospital) Haney, C. M. (Heidelberg University Hospital) Felinska, E. A. (Heidelberg University Hospital) Kowalewski, K. F. (University Heidelberg) Müller-Stich, B. P. (Heidelberg University Hospital) Horeman, T. (TU Delft Medical Instruments & Bio-Inspired Technology) Nickel, F. (Heidelberg University Hospital) Date 2021 Abstract Background: Robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) potentially reduces workload and shortens the surgical learning curve compared to conventional laparoscopy (CL). The present study aimed to compare robotic-assisted cholecystectomy (RAC) to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in the initial learning phase for novices. Methods: In a randomized crossover study, medical students (n = 40) in their clinical years performed both LC and RAC on a cadaveric porcine model. After standardized instructions and basic skill training, group 1 started with RAC and then performed LC, while group 2 started with LC and then performed RAC. The primary endpoint was surgical performance measured with Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) score, secondary endpoints included operating time, complications (liver damage, gallbladder perforations, vessel damage), force applied to tissue, and subjective workload assessment. Results: Surgical performance was better for RAC than for LC for total OSATS (RAC = 77.4 ± 7.9 vs. LC = 73.8 ± 9.4; p = 0.025, global OSATS (RAC = 27.2 ± 1.0 vs. LC = 26.5 ± 1.6; p = 0.012, and task specific OSATS score (RAC = 50.5 ± 7.5 vs. LC = 47.1 ± 8.5; p = 0.037). There were less complications with RAC than with LC (10 (25.6%) vs. 26 (65.0%), p = 0.006) but no difference in operating times (RAC = 77.0 ± 15.3 vs. LC = 75.5 ± 15.3 min; p = 0.517). Force applied to tissue was similar. Students found RAC less physical demanding and less frustrating than LC. Conclusions: Novices performed their first cholecystectomies with better performance and less complications with RAS than with CL, while operating time showed no differences. Students perceived less subjective workload for RAS than for CL. Unlike our expectations, the lack of haptic feedback on the robotic system did not lead to higher force application during RAC than LC and did not increase tissue damage. These results show potential advantages for RAS over CL for surgical novices while performing their first RAC and LC using an ex vivo cadaveric porcine model. Registration number: researchregistry6029 Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]. Subject Cholecystectomy-randomized controlled trialEducationLaparoscopyRobotic surgery To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:36b58ecc-69e5-4df5-b567-b08bc97c3bc3 DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-021-08373-6 ISSN 0930-2794 Source Surgical Endoscopy: surgical and interventional techniques (online), 36 (2), 1064-1079 Part of collection Institutional Repository Document type journal article Rights © 2021 E. Willuth, S.F. Hardon, F. Lang, C. M. Haney, E. A. Felinska, K. F. Kowalewski, B. P. Müller-Stich, T. Horeman, F. Nickel Files PDF Willuth2022_Article_Robot ... tectom.pdf 1.92 MB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:36b58ecc-69e5-4df5-b567-b08bc97c3bc3/datastream/OBJ/view