Call for Applications: ESTS Robotic Discovery Course

Amsterdam Skills Centre | 4–5 February 2026 & 11–12 March 2026

The ESTS Robotic Working Group, chaired by Prof. Jean-Marc Baste, is pleased to invite applications for two ESTS Robotic Discovery Courses to be held at the Amsterdam Skills Centre on 4–5 February 2026 and 11–12 March 2026.

Each two-day course combines didactic teaching with intensive hands-on training:

• Day 1: Lectures on robotic thoracic surgery fundamentals, including port placement strategies, standard RATS lobectomy and mediastinal approaches, learning curves, safety, bleeding management, and introduction to the KindHeart model.

• Day 2: Wet lab training on port placement, dissection, vascular control, suturing, and practical tips under the supervision of recognized robotic thoracic experts.

Please see an example Program from a previous Discovery Course and the Call for Application here.

Course Directors

 - 4–5 February 2026: Pr. Pierre-Benoit Pages (Dijon University Hospital, France)

 - 11–12 March 2026: Pr. Ghada Shahin (Leiden University Medical Center, Netherlands)

Faculty will include international robotic thoracic surgery experts; the final 2026 faculty will be confirmed in due course.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be ESTS members residing in Europe

• Work at a hospital with access to a Da Vinci surgical system

• Have a strong interest in Robot-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (RATS)

• Have completed ≥ 100 thoracoscopic procedures as primary surgeon

• Complete online training and assessment:

• Essential Multiport System Fundamentals and da Vinci Technical Skills – Xi

• Have completed simulator training (recommended)

• Submit a full application, including Robotic CV

Support Provided

The course will provide:

• High-quality educational content

• Up to two nights’ accommodation (arranged by Intuitive)

• Travel (arranged by Intuitive)

Selected participants may be invited to attend the Advanced ESTS Robotic Courses at the Amsterdam Skills Centre (6–7 May 2026) OR at IRCAD, France (9–10 September 2026).

How to Apply

Please send your application by 5 December 2025 to Zlatka Mitreva at
 zmitreva@kenes.com

Your application must include:

• A statement confirming you meet all eligibility criteria

• A current CV and the Robotic CV (Please see the Robotic CV here)

• Any relevant supporting documents

• Your preferred course date (4–5 February or 11–12 March 2026), or confirmation that you are available for both

Please note that each candidate may attend only one course.

This course is kindly supported by a grant from Intuitive.

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