Innsbruck to open academy for robotic gynaecological surgery

Innsbruck’s University Clinic for Gynaecology and Obstetrics will launch an academy next week to teach innovative surgical techniques, including robotic procedures, ORF reports. The programme will be open to students and postdoctoral researchers.

Clinic director Ibrahim Alkatout said the academy aims to address gaps in Austria’s structures and standards for gynaecological surgery. It will first establish new standards in Innsbruck, with the longer-term goal of sharing its training beyond Tyrol. Alkatout said the details of a wider rollout had not yet been decided.

Robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery will be a central part of the training, Alkatout said. He described it as a development of established minimally invasive techniques that can enable greater precision and eliminate some human error, such as hand tremors. He said this could mean less bleeding, lower morbidity and shorter hospital stays for patients.

The academy will combine frequent training with theoretical, virtual and practical sessions, as well as video coaching. Alkatout also plans to use teaching methods drawn from elite sport. He said the aim was to teach complex surgical techniques systematically.

Medical University of Innsbruck rector Gert Mayer said Alkatout had contributed to progress in his field in Kiel. Innsbruck hospital medical director Alois Obwegeser called him an ideal choice for the clinic. Alkatout took up the director’s post on April 1.