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. 2024 Jul 2;39(1):ivae115.
doi: 10.1093/icvts/ivae115.

Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery training in France: a nation-wide survey from young surgeons

Hugo Clermidy  1   2 , Guillaume Fadel  2   3 , Benjamin Bottet  2   4 , Yaniss Belaroussi  2   5 , Maroua Eid  2   6 , Elsa Armand  2   7 , Jean-Marc Baste  4 , Pierre-Benoit Pages  8 , Alex Fourdrain  7 , Charles Al Zreibi  2   9 , Leslie Madelaine  2   8 , Gabriel Saiydoun  2   10   11 ; AJCTCV
Collaborators, Affiliations

Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery training in France: a nation-wide survey from young surgeons

Hugo Clermidy et al. Interdiscip Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. .

Abstract

Objectives: Evaluate theoretical and practical training of thoracic surgeons-in-training in robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) in France.

Methods: A survey was distributed to thoracic surgeons-in-training in France from November 2022 to February 2023.

Results: We recruited 101 thoracic surgeons-in-training (77% response rate). Over half had access to a surgical robotics system at their current institution. Most (74%) considered robotic surgery training essential, 90% had attended a robotic procedure. Only 18% had performed a complete thoracic robotic procedure as the main operator. A complete RATS procedure was performed by 42% of fellows and 6% of residents. Of the remaining surgeons, 23% had performed part of a robotic procedure. Theoretical courses and simulation are well developed; 72% of residents and 91% of fellows had undergone simulation training in the operating room, at training facilities, or during congress amounting to <10 h (for 73% of the fellows and residents), 10-20 h (17%), 20-30 h (8%) or >30 h (3%). Access to RATS was ≥1 day/week in 71% of thoracic departments with robotic access. Fellows spent a median of 2 (IQR 1-3) semesters in departments performing robotic surgery. Compared with low-volume centres, trainees at high-volume centres performed significantly more complete robotic procedures (47% vs 13%; P = 0.001), as did fellows compared with residents.

Conclusions: Few young surgeons perform complete thoracic robotic procedures during practical training, and access remains centre dependent. Opportunities increase with seniority and exposure; however, increasing availability of robotic devices, theoretical formation, and simulation courses will increase opportunities.

Keywords: RATS; Resident training; Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery; Simulation.

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Figures

None
Graphical abstract
Figure 1:
Figure 1:
‘Flow chart’ of the survey.
Figure 2:
Figure 2:
Evolution of robotic surgery (number of procedure, number of centres) during the last 10 years.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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