Surgeons Learn Complex Procedures Faster With Video Guides, Study Shows
Surgical trainees mastered difficult pancreas and liver procedures more effectively when instructors combined hands-on teaching with instructional videos accessed via QR codes, according to a new study across European training programs. The finding suggests hospitals could improve surgical training efficiency and potentially reduce costs by systematically integrating video instruction into expert-led curricula.
Originaltitel: Acceptance and perceived usefulness of surgical video instructions in expert-tutored open and robotic pancreato- and hepaticojejunostomy training with 3D biotissue models.
**Videoguider reducerar behovet av dyr experthandledning i HPBkirurgi** Kirurgisk träning i komplexa anastomoser kräver omfattande repetition, men experthandledning är begränsad och kostsam. En multiscenterstudie från tyska och nordeuropeiska kirurgkurser (april 2024–september 2025) testade om videoguider via QRkod kunde komplettera eller ersätta direkthandledning under träning på 3Dbiotissumodeller. Av 51 deltagare (20 residenter, 31 specialister) rapporterade 96 procent att QRkoderna underlättade videoåtkomsten. 62 procent såg videorna som användbara, medan 86 procent menade att experthandledning blev mer effektiv med videoöverlägg. Kritiskt: 55 procent kände sig kunna förbättra sitt handlag genom videoträning utan expertövervakning. Resultaten öppnar vägen för hybridmodeller som minskar tutorkostnader samtidigt som träningsutbytet bibehålls — relevant för regionvårdens begränsade fortbildningsbudgetar och behovet av standardiserad anastomosträning på fler centra.
BACKGROUND: Suturing complex anastomoses requires repetitive training for mastery. Expert tutoring is a limited and costly ressource. This study assessed the added value of surgical video instructions in expert-tutored hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery courses. METHODS: Trainees and tutors used QR codes to access instructional videos of pancreatico- and hepaticojejunostomy (04/2024-09/2025: Davos course for HPB Surgery; Hands-On- Course of the North-German Surgical Association; ESSO Course Pancreatic Surgery). After watching videos and performing anastomoses on 3D-biotissue organ models, participants anonymously completed standardized questionnaires. RESULTS: Out of 51 participants (20 residents; 31 specialists), most reported that QR codes facilitated video access (n=48, 96%). The majority found the videos useful (n=31, 62%). Most preferred a combination of expert tutoring and surgical video instructions (n=49, 96%) and agreed that expert tutoring was more effective when supported by videos (n=44, 86%). Furthermore, 28 (55%) participants felt they could improve their surgical skills with the videos in self-directed training without expert guidance. Older and more experienced participants were more likely to agree that videos added value to expert tutoring. CONCLUSION: Surgical video instructions were well accepted and perceived as valuable additions to expert-tutored courses on HPB anastomoses. Further studies should assess translation into improved training outcomes.