Training for Minimally Invasive Surgery for IBD: A Current Need.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Surgical Innovation
• Colorectal Surgery
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Management

Background:

• Surgical management of IBD has evolved with minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques.
• MIS approaches for IBD include laparoscopy, single-port surgery, robotics, and transanal platforms.
• Understanding disease-specific surgical nuances in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) is crucial for optimal patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current evidence on MIS techniques in IBD surgery.
• To highlight the importance of specialized surgical training for MIS in IBD.
• To emphasize the need for enhanced training protocols within multidisciplinary IBD centers.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of MIS approaches in IBD surgery.
• Discussion of current training strategies for MIS in general surgery and their applicability to IBD.
• Analysis of the evidence base for MIS in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Main Results:

• MIS techniques offer various options for IBD surgical management.
• Existing MIS training strategies are often not tailored to the specific needs of IBD surgery.
• There is a notable gap in evidence regarding dedicated training programs for MIS in IBD.

Conclusions:

• Adequate surgical training is paramount for the effective application of MIS in IBD.
• Development of specific training protocols for MIS in IBD is urgently needed.
• Integration of enhanced training into multidisciplinary IBD teams globally is recommended.