"Idealized" vs. "True" learning curves: the case of laparoscopic liver resection.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Learning curves are believed to resemble an "idealized" model, in which continuous improvement occurs until a plateau is reached. We hypothesized that this "idealized" model would not adequately describe the learning process for a complex surgical technique, specifically laparoscopic liver resection (LLR).

Methods

We analyzed the first 150 LLRs performed by a surgeon with expertise in hepatobiliary/laparoscopic surgery but with no previous LLR experience. We divided the procedures performed in 5 consecutive groups of 30 procedures, then compared groups in terms of complications, operative time, length of stay, and estimated blood loss.

Results

We observed an increase in operative complexity (3.3% major operations in Group 1 vs. 23.3% in Group 5, p = 0.05).

SUBMITTER: Villani V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4913127 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature