title: Navigating the pathway to robotic competency in general thoracic surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although robotic technology has addressed many of the limitations of traditional videoscopic surgery, robotic surgery has not gained widespread acceptance in the general thoracic community. We report our initial robotic surgery experience and propose a structured, competency-based pathway for the development of robotic skills.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between December 2008 and February 2012, a total of 79 robot-assisted pulmonary, mediastinal, benign esophageal, or diaphragmatic procedures were performed. Data on patient characteristics and perioperative outcomes were retrospectively collected and analyzed. During the study period, one surgeon and three residents participated in a triphasic, competency-based pathway designed to teach robotic skills. The pathway consisted of individual preclinical learning followed by mentored preclinical exercises and progressive clinical responsibility.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The robot-assisted procedures performed included lung resection (n = 38), mediastinal mass resection (n = 19), hiatal or paraesophageal hernia repair (n = 12), and Heller myotomy (n = 7), among others (n = 3). There were no perioperative mortalities, with a 20% complication rate and a 3% readmission rate. Conversion to a thoracoscopic or open approach was required in eight pulmonary resections to facilitate dissection (six) or to control hemorrhage (two). Fewer major perioperative complications were observed in the later half of the experience. All residents who participated in the thoracic surgery robotic pathway perform robot-assisted procedures as part of their clinical practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Robot-assisted thoracic surgery can be safely learned when skill acquisition is guided by a structured, competency-based pathway.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Thoracic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Seder
authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Cassivi
authors.forename: Dennis A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Wigle
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006551:Hernia, Hiatal / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D008168:Lung / Q000601:surgery; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012371:Robotics / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards