Zoárd Krasznai, director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Debrecen Clinical Centre, has become a proctor, meaning he can now not only perform robot-assisted surgeries himself but also participate in the practical training of Hungarian and international specialists. The prestigious international recognition also confirms the high standard of robotic gynecological surgery in Debrecen and the consistent professional development achieved over recent years.
Early-career specialists in robotic surgery in Hungary recently attended robot-assisted procedures performed by Zoárd Krasznai, director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Debrecen Clinical Centre, as observers. During the procedures, Krasznai shared his professional experience and practical knowledge with the participants as a proctor, while also providing useful advice to help them independently and successfully perform robotic surgical procedures in the future.
The Da Vinci robot-assisted surgical system has been used at the University of Debrecen Clinical Centre since April 2024. Since the program began, Zoárd Krasznai has performed more than 160 robot-assisted procedures. Thanks to his outstanding professional work, he can now also teach the surgical technique as a proctor.
“The proctor, or instructor, status is subject to strict professional requirements. A high number of surgical cases alone is not enough: it is also essential for the surgeon to have extensive and complex surgical experience and to demonstrate reliable, good surgical outcomes, while working quickly and with a low complication rate. Together, these factors provided the professional foundation for me to take part in training in robotic surgery,” said Zoárd Krasznai, associate professor at the University of Debrecen and director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Clinical Centre.
Krasznai added that when a new robotic surgery program is launched, the manufacturer sends an experienced proctor to the site. The proctor’s primary task is to ensure patient safety from the outset and provide professional support to the operating surgeon until they gain the necessary initial experience and confidence at the console to perform procedures independently.
“The fact that I can work as a proctor in the future is, of course, a personal professional achievement, but it is also important for the University of Debrecen because, as an instructor, we have become part of an extensive international network, with Da Vinci robots being used in thousands of centers worldwide. Reaching the forefront within a system operated according to international standards and subject to strict monitoring and quality assurance shows that the professional work being carried out here meets the highest international expectations. It is also evidence that consistent, high-quality and reliable work is being done at the University of Debrecen Clinical Centre,” Krasznai said.
Commenting on the appointment, Professor Zoltán Szabó, president of the University of Debrecen Clinical Centre, emphasized that under Krasznai’s leadership, obstetric and gynecological care has not only developed dynamically from a professional perspective but has also been at the forefront of introducing innovative procedures, and has now become a European-standard patient care center.
“This recognition is also confirmation of Director Zoárd Krasznai’s outstanding leadership over many years, as his consistent professional development work has made a significant contribution to bringing obstetric and gynecological care in Debrecen to a European standard. Under his leadership, modern technologies, innovation and high-level patient care have become closely integrated. I consider it particularly important that this professional excellence strengthens not only our institution but also the international reputation of the region and Hungarian healthcare,” emphasized Professor Zoltán Szabó, president of the University of Debrecen Clinical Centre.
At the University of Debrecen Clinical Centre, the robot-assisted surgical system is used not only for general surgery, urological and gynecological procedures, but also for thoracic and ear, nose and throat surgeries. Since the program was launched, approximately 1,200 robot-assisted procedures have been performed at the institution.
(unideb.hu)
