Transition from resident robotic training program to clinical practice: robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy...

To analyze the perioperative safety and outcomes of the first 100 robotic-assisted radical prostatectomies (RARPs) performed by a resident trained surgeon entering directly into practice.

Following a mentorship-based urology residency training program, the perioperative safety and outcomes of 100 consecutive RARPs were analyzed. Intraoperative complications, surgical pathology results, hospital course, and catheter removal times were all monitored. Urinary catheter time was considered prolonged if left in place for longer than 14 days. Surgical complications were scored using the Clavien grading system.

The resident performed portions of 51 RARPs during the training program in resident years 2-5, including 17 as a chief resident under the guidance of a fellowship-trained robotic surgeon. One hundred RARPs were performed following residency training over a 17-month period (mean age, 60 years; mean body mass index, 29 kg/m(2)). Positive margin rate was 21%, and blood transfusion rate was 5%. Clavien grade 1-4 complication rates were 5%, 9%, 1%, and 1%, respectively. There was one intraoperative rectal injury and one conversion to an open operation. Five percent of patients required a urinary catheter longer than 14 days secondary to anastomotic leakage. There were no re-admissions or re-operations in the series.

The current study serves as a benchmark for physicians entering practice directly from resident training. Mentorship-based residency programs and early console experience may be factors in contributing to perioperative safety and outcomes with newly trained physicians.