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INTRODUCTION: Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) is increasingly used in lung cancer treatment. As surgical education progressively shifts to online platforms, such as YouTube, concerns have emerged regarding the reliability of available content. This study evaluated the educational quality of the most-viewed RATS lobectomy videos on YouTube, using the Laparoscopic Surgery Video Educational Guidelines (LAP-VEGaS) and the Critical View of Safety (CVS) criteria. AIM: We aimed to evaluate the educational quality of widely viewed YouTube videos on RATS using the LAP-VEGaS assessment and CVS criteria tools. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A YouTube search was performed using a key word "robotic lobectomy." A total of 25 videos with more than 5000 views that met the inclusion criteria were evaluated in terms of video characteristics and educational quality. The assessment was performed using the CVS and LAP-VEGaS criteria, and statistical analyses were conducted to explore correlations between video features and the scores. RESULTS: A total of 25 videos met the inclusion criteria. Right upper lobectomy was the most frequently demonstrated procedure. Median view count was 7157 (6001-14 152), with significant correlations between views and likes, as well as duration online. Overall educational quality was limited, with median CVS compliance of 50% (50%-62.5%) and a median LAP-VEGaS score of (4-10.5). CONCLUSIONS: The educational quality of robotic-assisted lobectomy videos on YouTube is heterogeneous and generally suboptimal. Peer-reviewed and standardized video archives curated by academic institutions or professional societies are needed to ensure reliable resources for robotic surgery training.
Yalçın et al. (Tue,) studied this question.