Do robotic and conventional surgery need different training?

ISRCTN	ISRCTN79269632
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN79269632
ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT)	Nil known
Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS)	Nil known
Protocol serial number	CANTAB 02
Sponsor	University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein
Funder	University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein

Submission date: 25/09/2025
Registration date: 26/09/2025
Last edited: 26/09/2025

Recruitment status: No longer recruiting
Overall study status: Completed
Condition category: Surgery

Prospectively registered

Protocol

Statistical analysis plan

Results

Individual participant data

Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
The rise in robotic surgical procedures underscores the need for effective training in minimally invasive surgery, particularly the interactions between robotic and conventional techniques. The aim of the study was to examine whether conventional and robotic laparoscopy require different neuropsychological skills and to evaluate the role of individual experience and expertise.

Who can participate?
Residents and experts from general surgery, urology and gynecology took part in the study as well as fifth-year medical students

What does the study involve?
Participants underwent neuropsychological testing, followed by surgical training in both conventional and robot-assisted laparoscopy, performing identical tasks six times in a random order.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The participants benefit from the structured training programme as well als the information they gather about themselves from the extensive testing. Since the study is an observational educational study on simulator basis, there were no risks for the participants.

Where is the study run from?
University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (Germany)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2021 to June 2022

Who is funding the study?
The study is funded by the Clinic for Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany. The provision of training tools and staff was supported by the faculty through an innovative teaching fund.

Who is the main contact?
Prof. Ibrahim Alkatout, Ibrahim.Alkatout@uksh.de

Contact information

Prof Ibrahim Alkatout
Public, Scientific, Principal investigator

Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics
University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein
Kiel, Germany
Arnold-Heller-Str. 3
Kiel
24105
Germany

ORCID ID	0000-0002-7194-6034
Phone	+49 (0)43150021450
Email	Ibrahim.Alkatout@uksh.de

Study information

Primary study design	Interventional
Study design	Single-center randomized cross over training trial
Secondary study design	Randomised cross over trial
Study type	Participant information sheet
Scientific title	The need for adaptive laparoscopic training, depending on conventional and robotic procedures. Evidence from an experimental study.
Study objectives	The aim of the study was to examine whether conventional and robotic laparoscopy require different neuropsychological skills and to evaluate the role of individual experience and expertise.
Ethics approval(s)	Approved 15/03/2021, Ethics committee of the University Clinic of Kiel (Arnold-Heller-Str. 3, Haus U 27, Kiel, 24105, Germany; +49 (0)43150014191; ethikkomm@email.uni-kiel.de), ref: D448/21
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied	Personality traits, neuropsychological features and surgical skills of surgeons
Intervention	At baseline, participants underwent neuropsychological testing, personality assessment and motivation testing. After the baseline measures, all participants underwent surgical training in both conventional and robot-assisted laparoscopy, performing identical tasks six times in a randomized cross over setting. Randomisation was achieved by a randomisation table.
Intervention type	Other
Primary outcome measure(s)	1. Neuropsychological skills measured by Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery at baseline 2. Personality traits measured by NEO Five Factor Inventory at baseline 3. Motivation measured by Questionnaire on Current Motivation at baseline
Key secondary outcome measure(s)	Surgical training outcomes in simulated tasks, measured analogous during each task (time, mistakes) during conventional laparoscopy and digitally during robotic training
Completion date	01/06/2022

Eligibility

Participant type(s)	Health professional, Learner/student
Age group	Adult
Lower age limit	18 Years
Upper age limit	99 Years
Sex	All
Target sample size at registration	300
Total final enrolment	323
Key inclusion criteria	1. Postgraduates (residents and experts) from general surgery, urology and gynecology 2. Fifth-year medical students
Key exclusion criteria	No consent
Date of first enrolment	15/03/2021
Date of final enrolment	30/12/2021

Locations

Countries of recruitment

Germany

Study participating centre

Univeristy Hospital Schleswig-Holstein

Clinic for Gynaecology and Obstetrics
Arnold-Heller-Str. 3
Kiel
24105
Germany

Results and Publications

Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share	Yes
IPD sharing plan summary	Available on request
IPD sharing plan	The anonymized data are available on request per mail to the corresponding author Prof. Ibrahim Alkatout (Ibrahim.Alkatout@uksh.de).

Study outputs

Output type	Details	Date created	Date added	Peer reviewed?	Patient-facing?
Participant information sheet	Participant information sheet	11/11/2025	11/11/2025	No	Yes

Editorial Notes

25/09/2025: Study's existence confirmed by the ethics committee of the University Clinic of Kiel.