Comprehensive proficiency-based inanimate training for robotic surgery: reliability, feasibility, and educational benefit

Background

We previously developed a comprehensive proficiency-based robotic training curriculum demonstrating construct, content, and face validity. This study aimed to assess reliability, feasibility, and educational benefit associated with curricular implementation.

Methods

Over an 11-month period, 55 residents, fellows, and faculty (robotic novices) from general surgery, urology, and gynecology were enrolled in a 2-month curriculum: online didactics, half-day hands-on tutorial, and self-practice using nine inanimate exercises. Each trainee completed a questionnaire and performed a single proctored repetition of each task before (pretest) and after (post-test) training. Tasks were scored for time and errors using modified FLS metrics. For inter-rater reliability (IRR), three trainees were scored by two raters and analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Data from eight experts were analyzed using ICC and Cronbach’s α to determine test-retest reliability and internal consistency, respectively. Educational benefit was assessed by comparing baseline (pretest) and final (post-test) trainee performance; comparisons used Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results

Of the 55 trainees that pretested, 53 (96?%) completed all curricular components in 9–17?h and reached proficiency after completing an average of 72?±?28 repetitions over 5?±?1?h. Trainees indicated minimal prior robotic experience and “poor comfort” with robotic skills at baseline (1.8?±?0.9) compared to final testing (3.1?±?0.8, p?p?p?p?Conclusion This curriculum is associated with high reliability measures, demonstrated feasibility for a large cohort of trainees, and yielded significant educational benefit. Further studies and adoption of this curriculum are encouraged.     

Developing a robotic program in thoracic surgery at Cape Cod Hospital

This study aimed to elucidate the stepwise progression of robotic skills required, the natural progression from thoracoscopic to robotic technique with a focus on approaching the hilar structures, and the nuances of perioperative care, in a community hospital and solo surgeon practice. It was a case–control analysis comparing 22 consecutive robotic-assisted lobectomy (RAL) procedures with 22 matched historic video-assisted lobectomy (VAL) procedures from June 2011 to December 2012. Patients undergoing VAL had 1.09 days greater length of stay than did patients who underwent RAL. Although hospital charges were significantly higher for RAL patients, patients undergoing VAL had greater blood loss, required longer hospital stay, had greater readmission rates, and were transferred more often to a rehabilitation facility at discharge. Subjectively, dexterity, ergonomics, and optics with the RALs were superior to the VALs. Favorable outcomes were demonstrated for patients undergoing RALs. Effective communication is paramount for the skill set and team building for a safe transition to practice.     

Design of a proficiency-based skills training curriculum for the fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery

Currently, no optimal curriculum exists for the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) manual skills training program. The objective was to create a proficiency-based training curriculum that would allow both successful completion of the FLS manual skills exam and improved performance in the operating room. Two experienced laparoscopic surgeons performed 5 consecutive repetitions of all 5 FLS tasks. The mean performance times for both subjects were determined. Error parameters for each task were also recorded and used to establish a maximum allowable error parameter for each task. These data were used to create both error- and time-based proficiency levels for each task based on the importance of the task and the amount of resources consumed when practicing the task. This type of objective proficiency level was determined for each of the 5 FLS tasks. We have developed a proficiency-based training curriculum for the psychomotor skills portion of FLS. Work is under way to evaluate and validate this curricular design.     

Launching a successful robotic surgery program

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy is rapidly becoming the most commonly performed surgical approach to treat clinically localized prostate cancer. The establishment of a robotic surgery program at any institution requires a structured plan and certain key elements to be in place to allow successful development. At least five essential phases are necessary for successful implementation of a robotics program. A thorough initial design and implementation lead to the execution of clinical services that meet previously established goals. Once the execution phase is established, the next step is to focus on maintenance and growth to maximize the benefits of the program. In this paper, we discuss the necessary phases for creating a successful robotic program, paying special attention to the aspects that allowed our facility to create a profitable robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy program in year 1.     

Developing a comprehensive mechanical support program

As cardiac surgery centers appreciate that ventricular assist devices (VAD) can dramatically impact patient survival as a bridge to transplant or recovery, and possibly permanent therapy, increasing numbers will desire to establish mechanical support programs. A number of vital elements must be put in place in order to operate a successful mechanical support program. Of utmost importance is the assembly of a dedicated team focused on comprehensive care of critically ill patients in need of circulatory support. An ongoing commitment from anesthesiologists, cardiologists, nephrologists, and other support staff is essential. Selection of complementary assist devices should be made to cover the spectrum of required support scenarios, both short- and long-term. Outpatient therapy has become increasingly important in mechanical cardiac assistance and establishment of an office where "LVAD coordinators" see outpatients facilitates this aspect of the program. Critically ill patients in need of cardiac assistance may benefit from specialized medical therapies such as: (1) intravenous arginine vasopressin for vasodilatory hypotension; (2) inhaled nitric oxide for right heart failure; (3) aprotinin to reduce hemorrhage; and (4) early enteral feeding in an effort to reduce infectious complications and improve rehabilitation following VAD implantation. A regional network with spoke hospitals centered around a hub hospital with long-term VAD and heart transplant programs can improve survival of patients with postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock via early transfer to the hub hospital. In this article, we describe the components of our mechanical support program that have allowed us to successfully support patients with heart failure in need of circulatory support.     

Developing a new bariatric surgery program

We initiated a new bariatric surgery program in February 2004. Before starting the program, we initiated a systemic planning process to design, develop, and implement a comprehensive, multidisciplinary program. Between May 2004 and June 2006, 178 patients underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass to treat morbid obesity at our institution. We have had no pulmonary emboli and no deaths. Twenty-one patients (11.8%) developed wound infection after surgery. Thirteen patients (7.3%) developed stenosis at the gastrojejunostomy. Five patients (2.8%) bled from the gastrojejunostomy. Four patients (2.2%) developed atelectasis. Three patients (1.6%) developed an internal hernia after surgery. One patient (0.5%) developed deep venous thrombosis. Two patients (1.1%) developed small bowel obstruction from adhesions. One patient developed a leak (0.6%). By 6 months after surgery, our patients have lost an average of 85 pounds (53% excess weight loss). By 12 months, they have lost an average of 104 pounds (65% excess weight loss). A focused effort to reduce infection has dropped our wound infection rate to 0 per cent in the past 6 months. Our results indicate that with proper planning, it is possible to initiate a new program and achieve excellent outcomes. Proper planning, systematic implementation, and a focus on patient education are critical to success.     

Tele-surgery simulation with a patient organ model for robotic surgery training

Robotic systems are increasingly being incorporated into general laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery to perform procedures such as cholecystectomy and prostatectomy. Robotic assisted surgery allows the surgeon to conduct minimally invasive surgery with increased accuracy and with potential benefits for patients. However, current robotic systems have their limitations. These include the narrow operative field of view, which can make instrument manipulation difficult. Current robotic applications are also tailored to specific surgical procedures. For these reasons, there is an increasing demand on surgeons to master the skills of instrument manipulation and their surgical application within a controlled environment. This study describes the development of a surgical simulator for training and mastering procedures performed with the da Vinci surgical system. The development of a tele-surgery simulator and the construction of a training center are also described, which will enable surgeons to simulate surgery from or in remote places, to collaborate over long distances, and for off-site expert assistance.     

Developing criteria for proficiency-based training of surgical technical skills using simulation: changes in performances as a function of training year

BACKGROUND: Proficiency-based residency training programs can be more efficient than the current duration-based formats. For their successful implementation, appropriate proficiency criteria must be developed. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between technical skill performances assessed using computer- and expert-based methods and training year. An assumption was that asymptotes in performance as a function of training year can be used to set the proficiency level for a technical skill, so the value at which the asymptote occurs can be labeled as the proficiency criteria. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-eight general surgery residents performed one-handed knot tying on bench-top simulators at two levels of difficulty: superficial and deep. Motion-efficiency measures and expert-based measures were used to evaluate performance. Total number of operations (ie, surgical volume) that each trainee participated in during residency was also acquired. RESULTS: On the superficial model, asymptotes were observed at year 1 for motion-efficiency and year 3 for expert-based measures. On the deep model, asymptotes were observed at year 2 for motion-efficiency and year 4 for expert-based measures. CONCLUSIONS: The data demonstrate the challenges associated with defining technical skills proficiency criteria. Different asymptotes were observed for the two assessment methods and neither covaried substantially with surgical volume. These data suggest that this asymptote approach in defining proficiency criteria can be suitable for development of proficiency-based residency training programs. The sensitivity of this approach to the type of assessment method and to the functional difficulty of the simulators used for assessment must be considered.     

Certification pass rate of 100% for fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery skills after proficiency-based training

BACKGROUND: The fundamentals of laparoscopic surgery (FLS) program has been extensively validated for use as a high-stakes examination for certification purposes, but optimal methods for its use in skills training have not been described. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of implementing a proficiency-based FLS skills training curriculum and to evaluate its effectiveness in preparing trainees for certification. METHODS: For this study, 21 novice medical students at two institutions viewed video tutorials, then performed one repetition of the five FLS tasks as a pretest. The pretests were scored using standard testing metrics. The trainees next practiced the tasks over a 2-month period until they achieved proficiency for all the tasks. A modified on-the-fly scoring system based on expert-derived performance was used. The trainees were posttested using the high-stakes examination format. RESULTS: No trainee passed the certification examination at pretesting. The trainees achieved proficiency for 96% of the five tasks during training, which required 9.7 +/- 2.4 h (range, 6-14 h) and 119 +/- 31 repetitions (range, 66-161 repetitions). The trainees rated the proficiency levels as "moderately difficult" (3.0 +/- 0.7 on a 5-point scale) and "highly appropriate" (4.7 +/- 0.1 on a 5-point scale). At posttesting, 100% of the trainees passed the certification examination and demonstrated significant improvement compared with pretesting for normalized score (468 +/- 24 vs 126 +/- 75; p < 0.001), self-rated laparoscopic comfort (89.4% vs 4.8%; p < 0.001), and skill level (3.6 +/- 0.9 vs 1.2 +/- 0.5; p < 0.001, 5-point scale). CONCLUSIONS: This proficiency-based curriculum is feasible for training novices and uniformly allows sufficient skill acquisition for FLS certification. Endorsed by the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), this curriculum is available for use as an optimal method for FLS skills training. More widespread adoption of this curriculum is encouraged.     

模块化培训模式在机器人手术配合训练中的应用

目的:总结模块化培训模式在机器人手术系统辅助腹腔镜手术配合中护士的培训经验及效果。方法:回顾性分析并总结2017年9月-2019年9月浙江省人民医院机器人手术配合护士运用模块化培训的方法。该培训体系包括3个模块:第1阶段为初级模块培训,包括机器人理论学习和专科理论学习,并在培训前后对护士进行两个学习内容的分别考核;第2阶段为中级模块培训,包括操作技能、观看经典手术视频、模具仿真培训,并在培训前后对护士模具仿真培训的准备时间、对接时间及应急处理时间分别进行计时;第3阶段为高级模块培训,即参与临床实践。对每名护士培训前后得分及操作完成时间进行比较。结果:护士经初级模块培训后的考试成绩及中级模块培训后的操作完成时间明显优于培训前(P<0.05),且进入高级模块培训的所有护士经导师监督下完成3例手术后均能独立进行机器人手术配合。结论:模块化培训模式能显著提高护士机器人手术配合的工作技能。     

Survey of resident training in robotic surgery

Robotics has been recognized as a major driving force in the advancement of minimally invasive surgery. However, the extent to which General Surgery residents are being trained to use robotic technology has never been assessed. A survey was sent to program directors of accredited General Surgery training programs to determine the prevalence and application of robotics in surgical training programs. Responses were tabulated and analyzed. Thirty-three per cent indicated interest in minimally invasive surgery. Twelve per cent of responders have used robotics in their practice, and 65 per cent felt robotics will play an important role in the future of General Surgery. Currently residents from 14 per cent of the responding training programs have exposure to robotic technology, and residents from an additional 4 per cent of these programs have limited didactic exposure. Program directors from 23 per cent of responding programs identified plans to incorporate robotics into their program. Robotics have been shown to make standard endoscopic surgical procedures more efficient and cost-effective as well as allowing a variety of procedures that were only possible with conventional methods to be completed with minimally invasive techniques. This new technology promises to be a large part of the future of surgery and as such deserves more attention in the training of General Surgery residents.     

A robotic system for telementoring and training in laparoscopic surgery

A laparoscopic surgical training system, the LapaRobot, is introduced. The system is composed of an expert station and a trainee station connected through the Internet. Embedded actuators allow the trainee station to be driven by an expert surgeon so that a trainee learns proper technique through physical feedback. The surgical‐tool trajectory and video feed can be recorded and later “played back” to a trainee to hone operative skills through guided repetition without the need for expert supervision. The system is designed to create a high‐fidelity approximation of the intracorporeal workspace, incorporate commercially available surgical instruments, and provide a wealth of high‐resolution data for quantitative analysis and feedback. Experimental evaluation demonstrated a 55% improvement in surgical performance with use of our system. In this paper, we introduce the details of the design and fabrication of the LapaRobot, illustrate the mechatronics and software‐control schemes, and evaluate the system in a study.