It's Not Binary

Benedict Rogers, Editor-in-Chief of the Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England The implication of robotic-assisted surgery for trainees is studied in detail by Crockett et al.3 The introduction of specialist and expensive technology within the NHS is likely to mean initial regional robotic services, and therefore the training opportunities are likely to be limited. By evaluating the impact of a fellow learning at a regional partial nephrectomy service, this study demonstrates that robotic surgery can be learnt by a trainee, given the appropriate level of supervision. The application of 3D scanners in defining the microanatomy of the femoral trochlear groove is studied by Mistry et al.4 This feasibility study has wider applications to afford surgeons greater quantification of anatomical features.