Scoping review and proposed curriculum for robotic hepatopancreatobiliary surgery training

HPB surgery is being increasingly performed robotically worldwide. However, there is no consensus on what constitutes adequate training or an established curriculum. We evaluate the existing literature on formal education in robotic hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) surgery and propose a curriculum using Kern's six-step curriculum development model.

A systematic search was performed across major databases and the methodology of the Joanna Briggs Institute was followed. The PRISMA-ScR was conformed in reporting. Evidence pertaining to cholecystectomy alone was excluded and studies that described formal training pathways were included.

Fifteen curricula were included with predilection towards the pancreas (n = 7, liver: n = 5, combination: n = 3). Almost all studies proposed initial robot system training through online modules, observership and console simulation exercises. Following this, six curricula described procedure-specific anastomosis training. Almost all studies described mentorship and proctorship. The assessment for implementation commonly described includes objective structured assessment of technical skill (OSATS) and cumulative sum technique (CUSUM) for operation time, conversion-to-open rate and postoperative complications.

This study has summarised the formal curricula for learning robotic HPB surgery. The majority share similar implementation tools. A comprehensive curriculum based on validated educational principles has been proposed which incorporates these elements.