Surgeon-Perceived Difficulty in Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy Using the Hinotori System: A Multicenter Survey...

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Surgical Robotics
• Medical Technology

Background:

• The hinotori™ Surgical Robot System offers advanced capabilities for urological surgeries.
• Limited data exist on surgeon usability and skill acquisition for the hinotori™ system.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess surgeon perceptions of difficulty for key surgical steps during robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) using the hinotori™ system.
• To evaluate the impact of experience on perceived difficulty.

Main Methods:

• Anonymous online survey of urologists at facilities performing >=20 RARP/year with hinotori™.
• Surgeons rated difficulty of 7 surgical steps using a 5-point Likert scale.
• Statistical analysis compared perceptions based on experience levels.

Main Results:

• 58 responses analyzed, representing >800 hinotori™ RARP cases.
• Bladder takedown perceived as least difficult; bladder neck dissection, nerve sparing, vesicourethral anastomosis, and pelvic lymph node dissection rated more challenging.
• Surgeons with >=40 hinotori™ RARP cases found bladder takedown, nerve sparing, and vesicourethral anastomosis easier.

Conclusions:

• Surgeon experience with other robotic systems influences perceived difficulty with the hinotori™ system.
• Complex steps like nerve-sparing and vesicourethral anastomosis are particularly affected by prior experience.
• This highlights the importance of experience in mastering robotic-assisted prostatectomy techniques.