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The efficacy of robotic driven handheld instruments for the acquisition of basic laparoscopic suturing skills
Ignacio Zapardiel1, Alicia Hernandez1, Javier De Santiago1
1Gynecologic Oncology Unit, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain.
Objective:
To evaluate the efficacy of robotic-driven handheld laparoscopic instruments for the acquisition and improvement of basic laparoscopic suturing skills.
Study Design:
A prospective study was carried out on 15 physicians grouped by previous experience. They were evaluated on the completion of basic surgical laparoscopic skills. First, they used traditional non-articulating laparoscopic instruments, and later they used robotic-driven articulating instruments.
Results:
Significant time reduction was observed in the group of inexperienced physicians when they used robotic-driven instruments for needle loading and placing stitches. An 8.3% time reduction was observed in the same group when considering total times for the completion of all exercises. No significant differences for the experienced groups were found.
Conclusions:
Robotic-driven handheld instruments could help inexperienced physicians acquire basic skills in laparoscopic techniques. No benefit has been observed when previous laparoscopic experience is present.
