The worldwide spread of single-port (SP) robotic platforms poses a proctoring challenge in the urological panorama. Nevertheless, the available training programs are often expensive and time limited. In light of this, we sought to provide an everyday comprehensive and highly reproducible training model for developing basic skills in SP surgery.
All the most common urological SP procedures were assessed by one expert surgeon and a trainee. Then, each procedure was divided into different steps also identifying the basic skills that were necessary for its completion. Finally, different training modules were developed only using materials available in everyday practice. Overall, 16 SP procedures were gathered, and 5 basic skills were assessed as pivotal in their completion: 1) correct knowledge of the 3 different basic camera settings, 2) management of the camera adjust command and its orientation, 3) flexible camera use minimising the instrument collisions, 4) dexterity in handling objects also when wide movements are required, and 5) suture skills simulating a vescico-urethral anastomosis. Five training models were then developed and tested on surgerynaïve medical students at the University of Illinois Chicago in June 2024. Each module was designed including a theoretical explanation of task accomplishment, tips and tricks to enhance the practical learning, and the main deviations to avoid (also defining critical errors that lead to the module-failure): Step 1 – Camera setting, Step 2 – The Four Squares, Step 3 – Camera Control, Step 4 – Move the Blocks, and Step 5 – Circular Suture.
This training program with low-cost models allows the achievement of basic skills for single-port surgery in an easy and highly replicable way, thus supporting the worldwide adoption of the SP platforms in everyday surgical practice.