Training in the use of basic functions of the daVinci Xi® robot: a comparative study of residents’ skills

The rapid spread of the robotic surgical system has not been accompanied by an equally rapid creation of standardized training courses for the use of this technology.The purpose of our study was to evaluate skill acquisition in the handling and use of the daVinci Xi by comparing two groups of surgical residents. Surgical residents from the University of Turin were enrolled. The participants were divided into two groups: Group A: residents who had participated in at least 8 robotic surgical procedures, and Group B: residents who had never attended robotic surgery. All were administered two instructional videos on the patient cart and console exercises to be performed. Subsequently, the residents were tested and recorded to be evaluated by a senior surgeon experienced in robotic surgery, according to a previously assessed evaluation score. The time of the procedure was also recorded for each test. Patient cart exercises were completed by all participants. We found statistically significant differences between two groups for the first (p = 0.0000) and third (p = 0.0002) patient cart tests and for every test on the surgeon's console except the endoscope handling exercise. Group A scored higher on the patient cart exercises, and the difference reached statistical significance (p = 0.0001). The placement of a single hand-sewn knot on the silicone suture pad was the only exercise that was not fully completed by all participants and showed no statistical difference. The correlation analysis between surgical experience and final score was significant in Group A. The daVinci Xi robotic platform can be properly operated in its basic functions by young surgeons after a short training program even in the absence of previous exposure to robotic clinical procedure.