To describe the first worldwide experience with telementoring for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting its significance in maintaining surgical training.
Key Findings:
Eight consecutive LSG cases were successfully performed using telementoring, with a mean operative time of 112.4 ± 21.9 minutes and no conversions to open surgery or intraoperative complications, indicating the effectiveness of remote coaching in surgical training.
Interpretation:
Telementoring proved effective in facilitating surgical training and reducing operative time, demonstrating its potential as a valuable tool in bariatric surgery education, while also considering future implications.
Limitations:
The study involved a small sample size of only eight cases, and the telementoring platform lacked augmented reality features, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Conclusion:
Telementoring can effectively support surgical training, especially during disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic, and may enhance the learning curve for complex procedures such as LSG, suggesting its continued use in surgical education.
