What credentials are required for robotic-assisted surgery in reconstructive and functional urology?

Introduction: The increasing popularity of robotic assisted surgery (RAS) as it is implemented in to sub specialities poses many challenges to ensuring standards in quality and safety. The area of Reconstructive and Functional Urology (RFU) has a wide range and largely complex heterogeneous procedures. In recent years RFU has started to incorporate RAS as the primary method to undertake these procedures due to improved vision, dexterity, and access to deep cavities. To ensure patient safety majority of institutions maintain minimal requirements to operate using RAS however across specialities and institutions these greatly vary.

Methods: A narrative review of all the relevant papers known to the author was conducted.

Results: Specific challenges facing RFU is the inability to rely on case numbers as a surrogate means to measure competency as well the ongoing consideration of how to differentiate between surgeons with robotic training and those with the clinical experience specific to RFU.

Conclusion: This review explores current models of training and credentialling and assess how it can be adapted to suggest a standardised guideline for RFU to ensure the highest standards of patient care.