"Being comfortable is not just knowing how to do the surgery but understanding how to handle different situations - how to undock the robot quickly in case of emergency, learning how to deal with mechanical failures, learning about when things don't work right, how to change the situation so that the robot works much better," says Dr. Nguyen. "Because unlike a lot of other equipment, there's a certain set-up that needs to be in place so the robot works best. There's a lot of learning about how to properly set the robot."

One manufacturer is catching on to the training needs for robotic surgeons. Simulated Surgical Systems, a New York-based company, introduced its Robotic Surgical Simulator (RoSS) at the International Robotic Urologic Symposium (IRUS) in January. RoSS simulates the experience of working at the master console of a da Vinci Surgical System.


"Sometimes for a hospital, it's like a chicken and an egg problem: should we buy the robot and then look for the surgeon or find the surgeon and then look for the robot?" says Kesh Kesavadas, co-founder of the company.

RoSS was created in 2006 and is currently in beta testing. Kesavadas envisions the use of the simulator for training in medical colleges and hospitals nationwide.

"One of the advantages of the simulator is that you don't have to train people inside the O/R the simulator can be anywhere in the hospital with easy access for the trainees," he says.

The design of the latest da Vinci Si HD Surgical System is equipped with dual-console capability for training and collaboration.

"Currently, we have the newest robotic system that has a training console, so it's almost like the old driver education car, where there are two steering wheels, two brakes and two accelerators," says Dr. David Wood, professor of urology and chief of urologic oncology at the University of Michigan. "Both people are seeing the same thing. It's going to be a major help in training other physicians on how to use the robot."

It may not be too long before standardized regulations are established for robotic surgery.

"I think the Society of Robotic Surgery is uniquely positioned to actually put some guidelines out there and we're working on those now," says Dr. Patel. "Some guidelines for credentialing and training and what we would consider acceptable standards. This is one of the projects the society will undertake."

Dr. Robot amidst criticism
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first surgical robot in 2001, unleashing a wave of excited speculation about its many capabilities. But recently, the robot has been under attack.

More Industry Headlines