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Telementoring for Minimally Invasive Surgical Training by Wireless Robot

IRCAD/EITS, University Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg, France

D. Mutter, MD, PhD, FACS

IRCAD/EITS, University Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg, France

B. Dallemagne, MD

IRCAD/EITS, University Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg, France

C.D. Smith, MD, FACS

Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida

Jacques Marescaux, MD, FACS, FRCS

IRCAD/EITS, University Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg, France, jacques.marescaux{at}ircad.u-strasbg.fr

Hands-on training courses with local mentoring are excellent educational tools in laparoscopic surgery; however, the need for the physical presence of specialized instructors represents a limitation because of costs, time, and geographic constraints. Remote robotic telementoring using a wireless videoconferencing mobile robot could represent an alternative to local instruction. The authors compare local active and passive mentoring with remote robotic telementoring using the wireless RP-6 Robot that worked through a WiFi 802.11b connection during a hands-on laparoscopic training session. Surgeons were mentored once in France from the United States. Robot mentoring was well received and appreciated (assessment score of 2.65; scale, 0 to 4). There was no statistical difference in the different mentoring sessions (active, passive, and remote). Mobile wireless robot is a valuable tool in laparoscopic telementoring. Robotic-assisted telementoring may not replace onsite mentoring, but it may enhance educational opportunities and the quality of hands-on training courses by implementing tutoring with expert assistance from remote locations.

Key Words: education • surgery • robot • training • laparoscopy

Surgical Innovation, Vol. 14, No. 3, 184-191 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1553350607308369


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