Narrative review in learning curve and pediatric robotic training program

Studying learning curve (LC) for robotic procedures and developing an adequate training program are two fundamental steps to standardize robotic procedures. With this aim, we analyzed the literature to study the LCs of different robotic procedures and the availability of standardized training problems.

The PubMed database was searched in the period from January 1995 to September 2022. Articles presenting LC and potential training programs in the pediatric population were chosen.

Twenty papers were screened describing LC of robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (n=12), fundoplication (n=4), cholecystectomy (n=2), choledochal cyst resection (n=1), nephrectomy/partial nephrectomy (n=1) and lingual tonsillectomy (n=1), with a total of 1,251 procedures. In 10 studies there was only one single surgeon; nine had more than one; one did not specify how many surgeons participated. Twelve papers were retrospective single-center, three multicentric retrospective, four prospective and one was compared a retrospective case series to a prospective cohort. Most of these studies focused on operative time as the primary outcome. It was analyzed as the only outcome in three articles, along with complications in 14, time to discharge in eight, blood loss in three and pain killer use in three. The selected studies analyzed LC impacting operative planning (n=20), training (n=10) and costs (n=2).

There is still a long way to go to complete a standardized functional training for robotic surgery procedures in pediatric surgery. Moreover, the progressive reduction in costs expected in the years to come will play a key role in progressing the diffusion of this technology enabling the collection of data necessary to create a standardized pediatric surgery robotic training program.