[Value of Clinical Video Registries for Research and Teaching in Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery].

Abstract

Abstract: The systematic recording and use of surgical videos is becoming increasingly important in international surgery. A clinical video registry - a structured collection of surgical videos linked with clinical data - provides valuable opportunities for research, education, and quality assurance. This review summarises the current international state of surgical video utilisation, discusses opportunities and limitations for generating new scientific insights, quality assessment through video documentation, and surgical training, and addresses technical, legal, and ethical challenges. It also outlines future perspectives, particularly the use of artificial intelligence for automated video analysis. As a specific example, the StuDoQ Video Registry of the German Society for General and Visceral Surgery is presented, which currently serves as a pilot project to evaluate the feasibility and added value of such a registry within the German healthcare system. Current evidence suggests that video registries can substantially improve surgical quality, training, and patient safety, provided that technical and legal requirements are met. In the future, integration into existing registries and the application of AI-based analysis may open new avenues for research and process optimisation. Unlike previous reviews, this work not only provides an overview of international developments, but also presents the StuDoQ Video Registry as a pioneering German pilot project.