Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Jacob L. van Dam is a leading surgical researcher whose work centers on advancing robotic pancreatic surgery, particularly pancreatoduodenectomy and distal pancreatectomy. His major contributions lie in systematically evaluating and standardizing training programs to safely implement these complex procedures. Van Dam’s landmark study, “Outcomes of a Multicenter Training Program in Robotic Pancreatoduodenectomy (LAELAPS-3)” (118 citations), demonstrated the feasibility and safety of a structured, multicenter training approach, adhering to the IDEAL framework for surgical innovation. He further defined the learning curves for robotic pancreatoduodenectomy, analyzing 635 procedures to establish benchmarks for feasibility, proficiency, and mastery (62 citations). Notably, van Dam pioneered the use of video grading of pancreatic anastomoses to objectively assess technical skills and predict postoperative pancreatic fistula risk (18 citations), a critical step in improving patient outcomes. His work on robotic distal pancreatectomy (76 citations) provides benchmark values for comparing robotic, laparoscopic, and open approaches. Through these studies, van Dam has provided the evidence base for safe adoption of robotic pancreatic surgery, shaping training curricula and quality standards worldwide.