Surgical innovation
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Surgical innovation · Sep 2007
Comparative StudyTelementoring for minimally invasive surgical training by wireless robot.
Hands-on training courses with local mentoring are excellent educational tools in laparoscopic surgery; however, the need for the physical presence of specialized instructors represents a limitation because of costs, time, and geographic constraints. Remote robotic telementoring using a wireless videoconferencing mobile robot could represent an alternative to local instruction. The authors compare local active and passive mentoring with remote robotic telementoring using the wireless RP-6 Robot that worked through a WiFi 802.11b connection during a hands-on laparoscopic training session. ⋯ There was no statistical difference in the different mentoring sessions (active, passive, and remote). Mobile wireless robot is a valuable tool in laparoscopic telementoring. Robotic-assisted telementoring may not replace onsite mentoring, but it may enhance educational opportunities and the quality of hands-on training courses by implementing tutoring with expert assistance from remote locations.