Extended Call for Applications – One Additional Spot per Course

ESTS Robotic Discovery Courses

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

Application Deadline: 

• 19 January 2026 for 4–5 February 2026 course;

• 26 January 2026 for 11–12 March 2026 course 

The ESTS Robotic Working Group, chaired by Prof. Jean-Marc Baste, is pleased to announce an extended call for applications for one additional participant per course for the ESTS Robotic Discovery Courses to be held at the Amsterdam Skills Centre on 4–5 February 2026 and 11–12 March 2026.

Only one additional candidate will be selected for each course, and each selected applicant may attend only one of the two courses.

Kindly note that, due to certain compliance requirements and the limited timeframe of this call, we are respectfully unable to accept applicants from France and Belgium, as it may not be possible to fulfil the compliance requirements within the available time.

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

Programme Overview

Day 1 – Theoretical Training

• Fundamentals of robotic thoracic surgery

• Port placement strategies

• Standard RATS lobectomy and mediastinal approaches

• Learning curves, safety principles, and bleeding management

• Introduction to the KindHeart model

Day 2 – Practical Training

• Wet lab training focusing on port placement, dissection, vascular control, and suturing

• Hands-on practice under the supervision of experienced international robotic thoracic surgery faculty

4–5 February 2026:

Course Director: Prof. Pierre-Benoit Pages (Dijon University Hospital, France)

Faculty members: 

• François MONTAGNE, Valenciennes ; France

•  Rune EGGUME, Akershus University Hospital; Oslo; Norway

• Henrik AAMODT, Akershus University Hospital; Oslo; Norway

11–12 March 2026:

Course Director: Prof. Ghada Shahin (Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands)

Faculty members : 

• François MONTAGNE : Valenciennes ; France

• Other faculty members

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be ESTS members residing in Europe

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

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

• Have performed ≥ 100 thoracoscopic procedures as primary surgeon

• Have completed the following online training and assessment:

• Essential Multiport System Fundamentals

• da Vinci Technical Skills – Xi

• Have completed simulator training (recommended)

• Submit a complete application, including a Robotic CV

Support Provided

The course includes:

• High-quality educational programme

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

• Travel arrangements (arranged by Intuitive)

Selected participants may also be invited to attend Advanced ESTS Robotic Courses at:

Amsterdam Skills Centre (6–7 May 2026), or

IRCAD, France (9–10 September 2026)

How to Apply

Please submit your application to: Zlatka Mitreva at zmitreva@kenes.com;

Your application must include:

• A statement confirming that you meet all eligibility criteria

• A current CV and completed Robotic CV

• Any relevant supporting documentation

• Your preferred course date (4–5 February or 11–12 March 2026), or confirmation of availability for both

Please note that each candidate may attend only one course, and that this extended call applies exclusively to one additional place per course.

This course is kindly supported by a grant from Intuitive. 

Kindly be advised that as a medical device company working with healthcare professionals, Intuitive is obligated to follow strict compliance regulations that may vary depending on your country of practice. The country where you are practicing at the time the event takes place will define the regulations that will apply.

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