title: Evaluation of midlevel and upper-level residents performing their first robotic-sutured intestinal anastomosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study analyzed the experience of residents performing their first robotic intestinal anastomosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven residents were tested. Participants performed 2 ex vivo hand-sewn suture lines followed by 3 robotic suture lines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The leak pressures in hand-sewn groups were 28.5 and 28.1 mm Hg; and 17.4, 7.6, and 21.4 mm Hg for 3 consecutive robotic groups. Completion time was longer in the robotic groups. The need for haptic assistance decreased between the first and third robotic drills. An analysis of the subjective evaluations also was performed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Complex hand-sewn tasks can be reproduced successfully by the residents using the robot-suturing technique. The quality of suturing and completion time improved over 3 consecutive exercises, although it did not reach the level of the hand-sewn suturing group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, 1775 W. Dempster Street, 8 South, Park Ridge, IL 60068, USA.
authors.forename: Slawomir J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Marecik
authors.forename: Leela M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Azam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jan
authors.forename: Vivek
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chaudhry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000193:education* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000818:Animals; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D004521:Educational Measurement; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000601:surgery*; D023421:Models, Animal; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012371:Robotics; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000193:education; D013552:Swine