Conventional Laparoscopic vs Robotic Training: Which is Better for Naive Users? A Randomized Prospective Crossover...

Area of Science:

• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Surgical Education
• Medical Simulation

Background:

• Robotic training (RT) and conventional training (CT) are used to enhance surgical skills.
• The da Vinci skills simulator is a common platform for RT, while CT utilizes a laparoscopic training box.
• Naive learners' skill acquisition rates with RT versus CT require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the speed of skill acquisition between robotic training (RT) and conventional training (CT) in naive surgical learners.
• To evaluate the learning curves and transfer effects associated with each training modality.

Main Methods:

• Forty novice surgical trainees were randomized to either RT or CT.
• Two specific tasks, "pick and place jacks" (PP) and "thread the rings" (TR), were performed.
• Quantitative measurements of time and quality indicators were recorded, with a crossover design to control for experience bias.

Main Results:

• Robotic training (RT) resulted in significantly faster task completion times compared to conventional training (CT) for both "pick and place jacks" and "thread the rings" tasks (p < 0.0001).
• The percentage improvement in speed with increasing trials was similar for both RT and CT, suggesting comparable learning curves.
• Instrument collisions and excessive force were more frequent during RT for the "thread the rings" task (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions:

• While robotic training (RT) offers faster initial skill acquisition, the learning curves are similar to conventional training (CT).
• There is minimal evidence of a transfer effect between robotic and conventional training modalities.
• Further research may explore optimizing RT to reduce errors and enhance skill transfer.