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Current status of robotic surgery in colorectal residency training programs

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Abstract

Background

Robotic surgery (RS) has been increasingly incorporated into colorectal surgery (CRS) training. The degree to which RS has been integrated into CRS residency training is not well described.

Methods

A web-based survey was sent to all 2019 accredited CRS residency programs within the United States and Canada. Program directors (PDs) were queried on how robotic surgery had been integrated into their program, specifics on RS curriculum and opinions on RS training during general surgery residency. We compared survey responses by program type (university-based, university-affiliated programs, or independent programs) and by geographic region. In addition, a chi-square test was used to evaluate differences in survey responses with respect to robotic curriculum components.

Results

Of 66 programs, 42 (64%) responded to the survey. Of the responding programs, 35 (83%) were university-based or university-affiliated, while 7 (17%) were independent. Most programs were in the Midwest (33%). Forty-one (98%) reported having a surgical robot in use at their institution, with 95% reporting active participation of CRS residents in RS. While 74% of programs have a formal RS training curriculum for CRS residents, there was considerable variability in the curriculum elements employed by each institution, and the differences in proportions of these elements were significant (χ2 99.8, p < 0.001). The median operative approach to abdominopelvic cases was estimated to be 33% robotic, 40% laparoscopic and 20% open. There were no significant differences in the survey responses between university/university-affiliated and independent programs (p > 0.05) or among the different regions (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that almost all CRS residencies have integrated RS and have trainees operating at the robotic console. Most programs have a robotics curriculum and there are expanding indications for RS within CRS. This expansion calls for discussion on implementation of training standards such as curricular requisites, baseline competency assessments, and definitions of minimum case requirements to ensure adequate training.

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Abbreviations

RS:

Robotic surgery

CRS:

Colorectal surgery

PD:

Program director

ACGME:

Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education

ASCRS:

American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons

APDCRS:

Association of Program Directors for Colon and Rectal Surgery

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 1000 W Carson St. Box 25, Torrance, CA, 90509, USA

    Adam D. Shellito, Sonam Kapadia, Cynthia M. Tom, Christine Dauphine & Beverley A. Petrie

  2. Lundquist Institute of Biomedical Research, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA

    Amy H. Kaji, Christine Dauphine & Beverley A. Petrie

  3. Department of Emergency Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA

    Amy H. Kaji

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  1. Adam D. Shellito
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Correspondence to Beverley A. Petrie.

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Drs. Adam Shellito, Sonam Kapadia, Amy Kaji, Cynthia Tom, Christine Dauphine and Beverley Petrie have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.

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Shellito, A.D., Kapadia, S., Kaji, A.H. et al. Current status of robotic surgery in colorectal residency training programs. Surg Endosc 36, 307–313 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-020-08276-y

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