Nintendo Da Vinci: Implementing a novel control system to improve performance in robotic assisted surgery – A pilot study

Complications of robotic-assisted surgery are on the rise, partly due to surgeons not receiving proper training. Using the current Da Vinci (DV) surgical system, 150-3,000 surgeries must be performed to achieve proficiency. To improve performance, a new system was developed using Nintendo Joycon (NJ) controls. The system was tested using NJ and the DV control systems, with two users (gamer and doctor), in a simulated skills assessment in 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) modes. The simulation completion time and error count were used to calculate a Fundamentals of Robotic Surgery Skills Assessment (FRS) score. The results indicate the task time, error, FRS scores, and learning rates had improved significantly (p<0.05). The risk ratios indicate the Da Vinci control system increases the risk of error significantly (p<0.05). Based on the data collected in this study, implementing a Nintendo Joycon control system improves task time by 83% for the doctor and by 88% for the gamer, reduces error by 73% for the doctor and by 82% for the gamer, improves FRS score by 72% for the doctor and by 46% for the gamer, and accelerates the learning rate by 84% for the doctor and by 86% for the gamer. The data collected indicates that implementing a Nintendo Joycon control system will significantly improve surgical performance by accelerating the learning rate and reducing error.