Telementored laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a pilot study

Few laparoscopic surgical experts exist relative to the number of surgeons needing training in laparoscopic surgical techniques. This study tested application of telemedicine technology in the mentoring of surgeons during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Our Surgical Telementoring Suite provided real-time audio and video telecommunication to the operating room. Data points for telementored laparoscopic cholecystectomy (TLC, n = 6) were compared to age and sex-matched controls having standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SLC, n = 6) with mentors physically present in the operating room. TLC data were also compared between cases performed with a staff surgeon and resident as mentorees (SRM, n = 3), versus two residents as mentorees (RRM, n = 3). Data were analyzed with chi-square testing. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. No major operative complications occurred in either group (p > 0.05). Total operative times were similar (92.2 +/- 18.4 minutes SLC vs. 94.7 +/- 25.3 minutes TLC, p > 0.05). Additional data compared between SRM and RRM groups included time to establishment of a pneumoperitoneum of 12-15 mm Hg (7.0 +/- 6.1 minutes SRM vs. 6.7 +/- 2.9 minutes RRM), time to placement of all four trocars (13.0 +/- 3.6 minutes SRM vs. 10.3 +/- 3.1 minutes RRM, time to isolation and proximal clipping of the cystic duct (38.0 +/- 12.1 minutes SRM vs. 55.7 +/- 29.0 minutes RRM), and time to removal of the gallbladder (77.3 +/- 25.4 minutes vs. 77.7 +/- 27.5 minutes RRM). For all data points, p > 0.05. We conclude that telementoring is a safe, effective method for teaching the techniques of LC. This is true for operating teams composed of surgical residents, with or without staff surgeons present.