The Journal of Robotic Surgery published Dr. Parviz Kavoussi’s research on the learning curve for robot assisted microsurgical vasectomy reversal. Dr. Kavoussi states, “When a new technology is applied to a surgical procedure, first it must be proven that it is safe and effective. We published our study on the effectiveness of robot assisted microsurgical vasectomy reversal in 2015. Once that has been demonstrated, the learning curve for surgeons to become proficient at the operation needs to be examined. Our study on the learning curve reveals that a formally trained pure microsurgeon that has a high level of training in microsurgical vasectomy reversal can readily transition to robot assisted microsurgical vasectomy reversal with similar success rates very early in the transition, but it takes 75 cases to optimize operative times.” This data must be interpreted cautiously as the robot does not compensate for a surgeon who is not formally trained in microsurgery. The high level microsurgical skills are simply applied to the robotic platform.
To read the full article on the learning curve for robot assisted microsurgical vasectomy reversal, click here.