Abstract
In the University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands, robot-assisted surgical procedures are performed weekly within the departments of Surgery, Gynaecology and Urology. Training for robot-assisted minimally invasive surgical procedures can be divided into two parts: system training and procedure training. After completing training modules, medical specialists are proctored by a specialist experienced in robotic surgery until they fully master the procedure. Centralization of robotic surgery results in high volume centres. Robot-assisted operations performed in these centres show a lower rate of post-operative complications, resulting in shorter hospital stay and a reduction in costs. In high volume centres, adequate system training and procedure training can be provided. A good training leads to a more efficient use of operating time and moreover reduces the costs of the learning curve of the surgeon. It is aimed that in the future, almost all technically difficult minimally invasive surgical procedures will be performed with the robotic surgical system.
