(UroToday.com) In the Laparoscopic and Robotic New Technology Moderated poster session of the 2024 WCET, Dr. Aideen Madden presented her research on the initial learning curve associated with the Ily robotics system for flexible ureteroscopy. The study aimed to explore whether prior video gaming experience (VGE) influenced the learning curve when using the robotic system.
Participants included 14 urology surgeons and 14 students. Participants were initially surveyed about their demographics, operative experience, and video gaming background. Each of the participants undertook a series of timed tasks using both the Ily robotics system and traditional flexible ureteroscopy methods. Tasks, on the Ily robotics system, were done using a hand controller similar to the ones used on the PlayStation game console. The research was divided into two main parts: first, participants performed two simple timed tasks with the robotic system; second, surgeons repeated the tasks using conventional ureteroscopy. The two tasks used were: Inspection of all 4 calyces and Manipulation of lower pole calculus into the upper pole in a benchtop kidney model.
Dr. Madden reported that among the student participants, 64% had prior video gaming experience. Despite this, gamers did not show a statistically significant advantage in performing the ureteroscopy tasks. The average inspection times for gamers were slightly faster but did not achieve statistical significance compared to non-gamers. Among the surgeons, 57% had gaming experience. Here too, gamers showed faster times, but the difference was not statistically significant. However, a notable finding was that surgeons performed significantly faster with traditional handheld ureteroscopy compared to the robotic system. The robotic system's average time lag behind handheld methods were 103 seconds on the first attempt, 81 seconds on the second, and 82 seconds on the third attempt, with these differences being statistically significant.
The study's most intriguing aspect was the role of video gaming experience. Dr. Madden's results suggest that while gamers had a slight time advantage initially, this benefit diminished by the third attempt, indicating that any advantage from gaming experience may quickly be offset by practice and experience with the robotic system.
The audience responded with keen interest, with questions from the audience during the Q & A session. The first discussion following centered on the type of ureteroscope used for the study and whether it had multiple deflection points. Dr. Madden answered that single-use ureteroscopes available in the market were used and that each had a custom 3d printed piece that allowed it to be mounted to the Ily robotic system. One of the moderators, Senthil Nathan, asked whether women performed better in this study. Dr. Madden stated that currently there were not enough numbers in this study to determine that.
In summary, Dr. Madden's research provides valuable insights into the learning curve for robotic ureteroscopy and sets the stage for future studies on surgical training and technology integration.
Presented by: Aideen Madden, Urology service, AP-HP, Hopital Tenon, Assistance-Publique Hopitaux de Paris, Sorbonne Universite, Groupe de Recherche Clinique ser la Lithiase Urinaire, Hopital Tenon, Sorbonne Universite
Written by: Renai Yoon, Researcher, Department of Urology, University of California Irvine, @renaiyoon on Twitter/X during the 2024 World Congress of Endourology and Uro-Technology: August 12 -16, 2024, Seoul, South Korea
References:- Gupta, A., Lawendy, B., Goldenberg, M. G., Grober, E., Lee, J. Y., & Perlis, N. (2021). Can video games enhance surgical skills acquisition for medical students? A systematic review. Surgery, 169(4), 821-829.
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