Initial surgeon training for single port access surgery: Our first year experience

Abstract

Background: We have developed a single port access (SPA) surgical technique that allows for procedures to be done through a single umbilical port incision 20 mm in length. For a new approach to be universally beneficial, it needs to be easily learned and applied. Methods: Single port access abdominal procedures are performed through one umbilical incision where skin and soft tissue flaps are raised from the underlying fascia to allow insertion of up to 4 instruments. Fifty surgeons with varying degrees of laparoscopic training participated in SPA training programs at Drexel University to learn and apply the SPA technique through participation in an ani- mate (porcine) laboratory. Results: All surgeons successfully performed the SPA access technique without difficulty and completed the cholecystectomy in 55 minutes (average, 42). Eight surgeons successfully performed placement of a chol- angiogram catheter. All recognized the value of a for- mal training symposium to learn SPA techniques before performing SPA procedures in their practice. Conclusions: The SPA technique has been successfully shown to be an approach that is easily learned and ac- complished. We believe this is a necessary and important bridge towards proficiency in performing SPA procedures in clinical patients. © 2010 by JSLS.