Is laparoscopic experience helpful in simulator based robotic training in general surgery?

Objective: To evaluate whether or not prior laparoscopic training improves performance during robotic surgery utilising DaVinci robotic skills simulator.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Civil Hospital, Karachi, from May 4 to November 11, 2018, and comprised first year residents in Group A with no laparoscopic skills and fourth year residents doing laparoscopic cholecystectomy independently and surgical faculty members in Group B who had laparoscopic skills. Both the groups had no previous exposure to robotic surgery and skills simulator.

A comparative follow up study of transabdominal preperitoneal mesh repair in inguinal hernias with or without mesh fixation.

Objective: To compare the recurrence rate and chronic pain in hernia patients undergoing laparoscopic or robotic transabdominal preperitoneal fixation with and without mesh.

Methods: The prospective comparative study was conducted at Surgical Units 4 and 5 of the Civil Hospital, Karachi, from August 1, 2017, to July 1, 2018, and comprised hernia patients undergoing laparoscopic or robotic transabdominal preperitoneal fixation who were randomised into fixation Group A and non-fixation Group B. Postoperative visual analogue scale score was calculated at the time of discharge.