Prospective Study of a Structured Robotic Surgery Training Program at a Public Cancer Center

Prospective Study of a Structured Robotic Surgery Training Program at a Public Cancer Center | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Prospective Study of a Structured Robotic Surgery Training Program at a Public Cancer Center RICARDO ZUGAIB ABDALLA, William Carlos Nahas, Ivan Cecconello, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7530341/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 16 Oct, 2025 Read the published version in Journal of Robotic Surgery → Version 1 posted 10 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract INTRODUCTION: The integration of new technologies into surgical practice poses a significant challenge, requiring specialized training and continuous education for surgeons. This study details the experience and outcomes of a structured training program for 10 years practicing non robotic surgeons at the Cancer Institute of São Paulo (ICESP) during the implementation of a robotic surgery program in a public, highvolume cancer center. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical performance of surgeons trained in a proctored robotic surgery program, analyzing key perioperative metrics including surgical time, estimated blood loss, number of dissected lymph nodes, and intraoperative events. METHODS: A prospective, randomized trial was conducted with 564 patients, divided into a robotic surgery group (n=326) and a gold standard open or minimal invasive surgery control group (n=238) procedures. Sixteen surgeons from five surgical specialties participated in a comprehensive training program. The training consisted of a preoperative phase with four stages (10 hours of virtual training, 4 hours of dry lab, 4 hours of realistic incursion, and 8 hours in an animal/corpse model) and a perioperative phase, both with a proctor. RESULTS: All 16 surgeons successfully completed the preoperative training, and eight proceeded to the full training program, that means they fully operated all considered patients. Robotic procedures demonstrated a longer mean duration compared to the control group (p<0.001), but were associated with a significant reduction in estimated blood loss (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The structured training program effectively prepared surgeons for robotic surgery, leading to positive clinical outcomes. This study provides a valuable model for the viable implementation of a robotic surgery program with a robust training protocol in a public-sector setting. Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 16 Oct, 2025 Read the published version in Journal of Robotic Surgery → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 28 Sep, 2025 Reviews received at journal 28 Sep, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 24 Sep, 2025 Reviews received at journal 23 Sep, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 23 Sep, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 22 Sep, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 20 Sep, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 11 Sep, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 10 Sep, 2025 First submitted to journal 03 Sep, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7530341","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":521790630,"identity":"0f1ec671-6b61-4563-854b-21a2e8a9e83f","order_by":0,"name":"RICARDO ZUGAIB 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This study details the experience and outcomes of a structured training program for 10 years practicing non robotic surgeons at the Cancer Institute of São Paulo (ICESP) during the implementation of a robotic surgery program in a public, highvolume cancer center.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOBJECTIVE:\u003c/strong\u003e To evaluate the clinical performance of surgeons trained in a proctored robotic surgery program, analyzing key perioperative metrics including surgical time, estimated blood loss, number of dissected lymph nodes, and intraoperative events.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMETHODS:\u003c/strong\u003e A prospective, randomized trial was conducted with 564 patients, divided into a robotic surgery group (n=326) and a gold standard open or minimal invasive surgery control group (n=238) procedures. Sixteen surgeons from five surgical specialties participated in a comprehensive training program. The training consisted of a preoperative phase with four stages (10 hours of virtual training, 4 hours of dry lab, 4 hours of realistic incursion, and 8 hours in an animal/corpse model) and a perioperative phase, both with a proctor.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRESULTS:\u003c/strong\u003e All 16 surgeons successfully completed the preoperative training, and eight proceeded to the full training program, that means they fully operated all considered patients. Robotic procedures demonstrated a longer mean duration compared to the control group (p\u0026lt;0.001), but were associated with a significant reduction in estimated blood loss (p\u0026lt;0.001).\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCONCLUSION:\u003c/strong\u003e The structured training program effectively prepared surgeons for robotic surgery, leading to positive clinical outcomes. 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