The Robotic Education Crisis: Are We Failing the Next Generation of Surgeons?

A new survey of 222 orthopedic residents reveals growing concerns that robotic-assisted surgery is degrading traditional surgical skills.

Technological advances in the field of orthopaedics are widely being adopted across subspecialty fields in an attempt to improve the outcome of various surgical procedures. The use of robotic assistance and computer navigation during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has increased in recent years. However, despite these proposed benefits, the literature is devoid of high quality, level-1 studies rigorously comparing manual and robotic-assisted surgery.

Furthermore, the rise of robotic-assisted TKAs has created a new environment for surgical trainees. Use of robotic assistance for TKA requires a new set of skills when compared to conventional techniques. This raises a critical question: Could the addition of robotic technology in the operating room have a negative impact on residents’ surgical skills and understanding of fundamental concepts of TKA?