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European basic laparoscopic urological skills: a feasibility study in a setting for robot-assisted surgery
Nikolaos Liakos1, Martin Janssen2, Rudolf Moritz3
1Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Centre of the University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
Frontiers in Surgery
|April 29, 2025
Summary
The European Basic Laparoscopic Urological Skills (E-BLUS) tasks are feasible for robot-assisted surgery training. These tasks effectively develop surgical skills for novices with a low failure rate.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Surgical Education
- Robotic Surgery
Background:
- Minimally-invasive surgery training has evolved with laparoscopy.
- The European Basic Laparoscopic Urological Skills (E-BLUS) tasks standardized laparoscopic urological training.
- E-BLUS tasks' applicability in robot-assisted surgery training remained unevaluated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of implementing the four E-BLUS tasks in robot-assisted surgery training modules.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of E-BLUS tasks for developing robotic surgical skills.
Main Methods:
- 31 robotic surgeons (experienced and novice) performed E-BLUS tasks on the latest robotic platforms.
- Tasks were conducted across two institutions.
- Time performance and failure rates were statistically analyzed.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in time performance were observed for tasks requiring fine motor skills (cutting and knotting).
- No significant differences were found in tasks assessing manual ambidexterity.
- Novice robotic surgeons exhibited a low failure rate across tasks.
Conclusions:
- E-BLUS tasks are feasible for robot-assisted surgery training.
- These tasks can cultivate essential surgical skills for robotic procedures.
- E-BLUS offers a cost-effective dry lab solution for introducing novice surgeons to robotic platforms.
