title: Surgical telementoring in knowledge translation--clinical outcomes and educational benefits: a comprehensive review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgical telementoring has been reported for decades. However, there exists limited evidence of clinical outcome and educational benefits.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To perform a comprehensive review of surgical telementoring surveys published in the past 2 decades.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 624 primary identified articles, 34 articles were reviewed. A total of 433 surgical procedures were performed by 180 surgeons. Most common telementored procedures were laparoscopic cholecystectomy (57 cases, 13%), endovascular treatment of aortic aneurysm (48 cases, 11%), laparoscopic colectomy (32 cases, 7%), and nefrectomies (41 cases, 9%). In all, 167 (38%) cases had a laparoscopic approach, and 8 cases (5%) were converted to open surgery. Overall, 20 complications (5%) were reported (liver bleeding, trocar port bleeding, bile collection, postoperative ileus, wound infection, serosa tears, iliac artery rupture, conversion open surgery). Eight surveys (23%) have structured assessment of educational outcomes. Telementoring was combined with simulators (n = 2) and robotics (n = 3). Twelve surveys (35%) were intercontinental. Technology satisfaction was high among 83% of surgeons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Few surveys have a structured assessment of educational outcome. Telementoring has improved impact on surgical education. Reported complication rate was 5%.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Centre for Telemedicine and Integrated Care, Tromsø, Norway. knut.magne.augestad@telemed.no
authors.forename: Knut Magne
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Augestad
authors.forename: Johan Gustav
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Bellika
authors.forename: Andrius
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Budrionis
authors.forename: Taridzo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chomutare
authors.forename: Rolv-Ole
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Lindsetmo
authors.forename: Hiten
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Conor
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Delaney
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008611:Mentors; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000193:education*; D017216:Telemedicine
keywords: general surgery; laparoscopy; surgical education; surgical telementoring; telemedicine; videoconferencing