EACTS NEWS
The future of cardiac surgery Wouter Oosterlinck, MD, PhD, Cardiac Surgery Professor of Leuven University and Chair of the Robotic Surgery Taskforce
This is an exciting time for robotic surgery. We have a huge opportunity to further develop robotic surgery and optimise its use for the benefit of patients around the world. Working at Leuven University, which is one of the biggest robotic centres in Europe, the impact of robotic surgery on delivering improved surgical outcomes for patients is clear. We carry out over 100 robotic cases a year and for these patients we see a reduction in wound infection and an increase in functional gain. Over the past few years, we have also seen other benefits from robotic surgery including reduced hospital stays and a reduction in material costs. I am convinced that robotic surgery is the future of cardiac surgery, but to integrate robotics more widely we need to introduce more training in robotic procedures and establish quality control. The new Robotic Surgery Taskforce, which I am honoured to chair, will play a pivotal role in achieving these objectives. The taskforce is committed to bringing centres and experts together to share learning, exchange information and insights and develop training opportunities. By working together, we are in a stronger position to work with industry partners to support the development of new robotic platforms for cardiac and thoracic surgery.
The Robotic Surgery Taskforce has set out three specific aims: • To provide training and education opportunities, ensuring the surgeons of the future have access to training on how to implement robotic procedures. • To develop a comprehensive registry of all robotic surgery in order to monitor the results of surgery and act as a feedback mechanism for the training. The registry will help us better understand the procedures that are benefiting from robotic surgery. • Greater interaction with industry partners to develop new robotic platforms that meet the new medical devices regulations and achieve the right accreditation. We recognise there are challenges, but, as a group, we are extremely motivated to help surgeons and centres around the world realise the potential of robotic surgery.
Taskforce members Wouter Oosterlinck
Ulrich Franke
Johannes Bonatti
Franca Melfi
Marion Durand
Paul Modi
Thierry Folliguet
Sandeep Singh
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