Resident Operative Autonomy in Robotic Surgery Training: Unpacking Gender Disparities and Training Trends

This study evaluated resident and program-level factors associated with resident-reported robotic operative autonomy at our institution.

This retrospective cohort study evaluates self-reported residents' robotic case logs detailing case type, console time, and portions of the case completed. The analysis included three procedures: pancreaticoduodenectomies, hernia repairs, and low anterior resection. Each procedure was divided into four key portions. Outcomes measured included minutes at the console and High Resident Autonomy (HRA), defined as >50% resident case participation. Independent variables included graduation cohort, pursued fellowship type, attending gender, underrepresented minority status, and hospital type. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were performed.

This study took place at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center General Surgery Residency between 2021 and 2023.

Twenty-nine chief residents (postgraduate year 5).

Of the 541 cases, 61% were hernia repairs, 26% were low anterior resections, and 13% were pancreaticoduodenectomies. Female residents were present in 60% of the cases. Male residents reported more HRA (76% vs. 54%) and longer console times (150 vs 120 minutes; p < 0.01). Multivariable analysis indicated female gender was associated with 74% lower odds of HRA (95% CI: 0.15 - 0.45; p < 0.001) and 18 fewer minutes of console time versus males (p < 0.01). The 2023 cohort had significantly higher odds of HRA than the 2021 cohort (OR: 4.46, 95% CI: 2.34 - 8.51; p < 0.001) and 15 more console minutes. Residents with aligned fellowships spent 37 more console minutes than those without (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found between attending gender, hospital, and minority status.

Our findings reveal significant gender disparities in self-reported operative autonomy and console time. The recent cohort showed improved training outcomes, and fellowship alignment with the case positively impacted console time. This suggests a need to refine training approaches, ensuring equity and optimizing training efficacy.