IDEAL framework and recommendations provide a scientific and integrated evaluation pathway for surgical innovations and other complex therapeutic interventions, and underline that the preliminary studies are needed to prepare for a successful randomized controlled trial. IDEAL framework provides a series of recommendations in terms of nature stages of surgical innovation. We have reported the introduction and reporting guidelines of the IDEAL framework and recommendations in our IDEAL series paper. This paper aimed to provide some empirical evidence, focusing specifically on stages 2a and 2b, to help surgeons and researchers to understand how to imply IDEAL framework and recommendations into their clinical practice.