The Contribution of Personalized Video Feedback to Robotic Partial Nephrectomy Training in Realistic 3D Tumor Kidney Models: Design, Production and Implementation

Ahmet Furkan Sarıkaya^1*Kayhan Tarım¹Ersin Köseoğlu¹Arif Özkan¹İbrahim Can Aykanat¹Baris Esen¹Umut Can Karaarslan¹Mustafa Müdüroğlu¹Şevval Kanlı¹Murat Can Kiremit¹Yakup Kordan¹Mevlana Derya Balbay¹Tarik Esen¹Serdar Aydın^2,3Abdullah Erdem Canda^1,4

• ¹Department of Urology, Koç University, Istanbul, Türkiye
• ²Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Koç University, Istanbul, Türkiye
• ³Research Center for Translational Medicine, Koç University, Sarıyer, Istanbul, Türkiye
• ⁴RMK AIMES, Rahmi M. Koc Academy of Interventional Medicine, Education, and Simulation, Istanbul, Türkiye

Traditional surgical training relies on a master-apprentice model, but limitations such as restricted working hours and evolving techniques have led to the integration of simulation-based education. 3D printing has emerged as a valuable tool, offering patient-specific anatomical models to enhance skill acquisition. Personalized video feedback may further refine training outcomes. This study investigates the impact of 3D-printed kidney models and video feedback on skill development in robotic partial nephrectomy training.Forty urology residents without prior robotic surgery experience participated in this study. After completing a standardized theoretical and simulation-based training program, they performed partial nephrectomy on 3D-printed kidney models. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: one received personalized video feedback based on their recorded performance, while the other proceeded without feedback. Surgical performance was evaluated using dissection time, renorrhaphy time, total console time, and the amount of healthy renal parenchyma removed. Statistical analysis was conducted to compare improvements between the groups and assess the impact of video feedback.Initial comparisons between junior and senior residents revealed no significant differences in their first operations, indicating that the e-learning module and proficiency-based simulation training successfully equalized baseline skills. This highlights the value of structured preparatory programs with objective performance targets. Additionally, in our study, the 3D-printed kidney models were produced at a remarkably low cost of only $2.14 per model, offering a highly cost-effective and scalable alternative to cadaveric and animal-based training.Residents who received video feedback showed greater percentage improvement in dissection time compared to the control group (46.63% vs. 23.62%, p = 0.043). The amount of healthy renal parenchyma excised also decreased significantly in the video feedback group (p = 0.048), indicating improved surgical precision. No significant differences were found in renorrhaphy times, suggesting that video feedback primarily enhanced dissection skills.The integration of 3D-printed models with personalized video feedback enhances robotic surgical training. Video feedback improves dissection efficiency and precision, supporting its use as a cost-effective strategy to optimize skill acquisition and shorten the learning curve in complex procedures.