Use of robotic technology: a survey of practice patterns of the ASCRS Young Surgeons Committee

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery has proven clinical, functional, and financial benefits compared to open surgery, but remains underutilized in the United States. Laparoscopic training is mandatory in colorectal surgery (CRS) residency [1], with a minimum case requirement, yet young surgeons may not continue to use laparoscopy after training [2, 3]. Conversely, robotic-assisted colorectal surgery (RACRS) training is not mandatory, with no case requirement. Regardless of this and numerous reports of equivocal outcomes with higher costs, RACRS utilization continues to grow, while laparoscopic rates remain stagnant [4–7]. Little study to date reports the use of RACRS or platform preferences for surgeons new to practice [8]. With this need, the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) Young Surgeons’ Committee (YSC) sought to assess the trends in training, minimally invasive surgery preferences, perceived obstacles, and opinion on future direction for RACRS from young colorectal surgeons and an anonymous 25-item online questionnaire was distributed to all current YSC members1 ; 78.3% (25/32) completed the survey in its entirety