scholarly journals Quantitative Assessment of the Learning Curve for Robotic Thyroid Surgery

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 402 ◽  
Author(s):  
HyunGoo Kim ◽  
Hyungju Kwon ◽  
Woosung Lim ◽  
Byung-In Moon ◽  
Nam Sun Paik

With the increased utilization of robot thyroidectomy in recent years, surgical proficiency is the paramount consideration. However, there is no single perfect or ideal method for measuring surgical proficiency. In this study, we evaluated the learning curve of robotic thyroidectomy using various parameters. A total of 172 robotic total thyroidectomies were performed by a single surgeon between March 2014 and February 2018. Cumulative summation analysis revealed that it took 50 cases for the surgeon to significantly improve the operation time. Mean operation time was significantly shorter in the group that included the 51st to the 172nd case, than in the group that included only the first 50 cases (132.8 ± 27.7 min vs. 166.9 ± 29.5 min; p < 0.001). On the other hand, the surgeon was competent after the 75th case when postoperative transient hypoparathyroidism was used as the outcome measure. The incidence of hypoparathyroidism gradually decreased from 52.0%, for the first 75 cases, to 40.2% after the 76th case. These results indicated that the criteria used to assess proficiency greatly influenced the interpretation of the learning curve. Incorporation of the operation time, complications, and oncologic outcomes should be considered in learning curve assessment.

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (13) ◽  
pp. 2594
Author(s):  
Jae Park ◽  
Jun Lee ◽  
Jae Won Cho ◽  
Jong Yoon

The aim of this study was to evaluate the learning curve of robotic thyroid surgery with regard to both operation time and temporary hypoparathyroidism using quantitative statistical analysis. A total of 194 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and concomitant central compartment node dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma by a single surgeon between December 2008 and September 2017 were enrolled. The learning curve for operation time was assessed using the cumulative sum (CUSUM) technique, and the number of procedures required to reduce the incidence of temporary hypoparathyroidism to less than 30% was determined using the CUSUM and risk-adjusted CUSUM (RA-CUSUM) techniques. The learning curve for operation time was divided into three phases: phase 1 (the initial learning period, 1st–19th cases), phase 2 (the challenging period, 20th–121st cases), and phase 3 (the competent phase, 122nd–194th cases). To reduce the incidence of temporary hypoparathyroidism to <30% required 119 cases, and after adjustment for potential risk factors by RA-CUSUM analysis this extended to 173 cases. Technical proficiency for robotic thyroid surgery with respect to the avoidance of surgical complications probably requires a longer learning period than that required for operation time.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chin-Jui Wu ◽  
Kuan-Ju Huang ◽  
Wen-Chun Chang ◽  
Ying-Xuan Li ◽  
Lin-Hung Wei ◽  
...  

Abstract Women who underwent vaginal pelvic reconstructive surgery with or without mesh consecutively between 2004 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed to determine the learning curve in vaginal pelvic reconstructive surgery. With cumulative summation (CUSUM) analysis of surgical failure and operation time, we assessed the learning curve of vaginal pelvic reconstructive surgery, including sacrospinous ligament fixation, anterior colporrhaphy, posterior colporrhaphy, and optional vaginal hysterectomy with or without mesh placement. Two hundred and sixty-four women with stage III or IV pelvic organ prolapse underwent vaginal pelvic reconstructive surgery by surgeon A or B. The median follow-up time of 44 months ranged from 24 to 120 months. Surgical proficiency was achieved in 32-54 vaginal pelvic reconstructive surgery procedures without mesh and 37-61 procedures in the same surgery with mesh. The surgical success rates for surgeons A and B were 82.2% and 94.1%, with median follow-up times of 60 and 33 months, respectively. The learning phase of vaginal pelvic reconstructive surgery in advanced pelvic organ prolapse in this institutional cohort required 54 and 61 procedures, respectively. A higher number of procedures were required for the learning curve of vaginal pelvic reconstructive surgery with mesh. Having crossed the boundary of proficiency, the surgical success rate and operation time were improved.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 863
Author(s):  
Young Jun Chai ◽  
Sumin Chae ◽  
Moon Young Oh ◽  
Hyungju Kwon ◽  
Won Seo Park

The transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) has excellent cosmetic effects and its popularity is increasing worldwide. We present our experience with TOETVA and its short-term outcomes. This study included 110 consecutive patients who underwent TOETVA at a single institution between July 2016 and June 2020. We analyzed clinicopathologic data, short-term postoperative outcomes, and learning curve using cumulative summation (CUSUM) analysis. Of the 110 patients who underwent TOETVA, 101 had malignant disease and 100 (90.9%) underwent lobectomy. The mean age was 39.7 ± 9.7 years, and the mean tumor size was 1.0 ± 0.7 cm (range, 0.3–3.6 cm). Operation time was 168.0 ± 63.4 min for total thyroidectomy, 111.0 ± 27.7 min for lobectomy, and 73.7 ± 18.1 min for isthmusectomy. Five patients (4.5%) experienced transient vocal cord palsy (VCP) and one (0.9%) had permanent VCP. The swallowing impairment index-6 score was 2.18 ± 3.21 at postoperative three months, and 0.97 ± 1.72 at postoperative six months. The learning curve for lobectomy was 58 cases in CUSUM analysis. TOETVA is a safe and feasible approach with an acceptable operation time and a low complication rate. This approach is a surgical option for patients who desire excellent cosmesis.


Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 135
Author(s):  
Tomohide Segawa ◽  
Hisashi Koga ◽  
Masahito Oshina ◽  
Katsuhiko Ishibashi ◽  
Yuichi Takano ◽  
...  

Background and objectives: Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion (OLIF) is a widely performed, minimally invasive technique to achieve lumbar lateral interbody fusion. However, some complications can arise due to constraints posed by the limited surgical space and visual field. The purpose of this study was to assess the short-term postoperative clinical outcomes of microendoscopy-assisted OLIF (ME-OLIF) compared to conventional OLIF. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively investigated 75 consecutive patients who underwent OLIF or ME-OLIF. The age, sex, diagnosis, and number of fused levels were obtained from medical records. Operation time, estimated blood loss (EBL), and intraoperative complications were also collected. Operation time and EBL were only measured per level required for the lateral procedure, excluding the posterior fixation surgery. The primary outcome measure was assessed using the Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ). The secondary outcome measure was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the European Quality of Life–5 Dimensions (EQ-5D), measured preoperatively and 1-year postoperatively. Results: This case series consisted of 14 patients in the OLIF group and 61 patients in the ME-OLIF group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the mean operative time and EBL (p = 0.90 and p = 0.50, respectively). The perioperative complication rate was 21.4% in the OLIF group and 21.3% in the ME-OLIF group (p = 0.99). In both groups, the postoperative JOABPEQ, EQ-5D, and ODI scores improved significantly (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Although there was no significant difference in clinical results between the two surgical methods, the results suggest that both are safe surgical methods and that microendoscopy-assisted OLIF could serve as a potential alternative to the conventional OLIF procedure.


BMC Surgery ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunxiao Wang ◽  
Yao Zhang ◽  
Xiaojie Tang ◽  
Haifei Cao ◽  
Qinyong Song ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The area which located at the medial pedicle, posterior vertebral body and ventral hemilamina is defined as the hidden zone. Surgical management of hidden zone lumbar disc herniation (HZLDH) is technically challenging due to its difficult surgical exposure. The conventional interlaminar approach harbors the potential risk of post-surgical instability, while other approaches consist of complicated procedures with a steep learning curve and prolonged operation time. Objective To introduce microscopic extra-laminar sequestrectomy (MELS) technique for treatment of hidden zone lumbar disc herniation and present clinical outcomes. Methods Between Jan 2016 to Jan 2018, twenty one patients (13 males) with HZLDH were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent MELS (19 patients underwent sequestrectomy only, 2 patients underwent an additional inferior discectomy). The nerve root and fragment were visually exposed using MELS. The operation duration, blood loss, intra- and postoperative complications, and recurrences were recorded. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the modified MacNab criteria were used to evaluate clinical outcomes. Postoperative stability was evaluated both radiologically and clinically. Results The mean follow-up period was 20.95 ± 2.09 (18–24) months. The mean operation time was 32.43 ± 7.19 min and the mean blood loss was 25.52 ± 5.37 ml. All patients showed complete neurological symptom relief after surgery. The VAS and ODI score were significantly improved at the final follow-up compared to those before operation (7.88 ± 0.70 vs 0.10 ± 0.30, 59.24 ± 10.83 vs 11.29 ± 3.59, respectively, p < 0.05). Seventeen patients (81%) obtained an “excellent” outcome and the remaining four (19%) patients obtained a “good” outcome based the MacNab criteria. One patient suffered reherniation at the same level one year after the initial surgery and underwent a transforaminal endoscopic discectomy. No major complications and postoperative instability were observed. Conclusions Our observation suggest that MELS is safe and effective in the management of HZLDH. Due to its relative simplicity, it comprises a flat surgical learning curve and shorter operation duration, and overall results in reduced disturbance to lumbar stability.


2010 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 226-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jandee Lee ◽  
Jong Ho Yun ◽  
Kee Hyun Nam ◽  
Euy-Young Soh ◽  
Woong Youn Chung

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshio Shiraishi ◽  
Tetsuro Tominaga ◽  
Takashi Nonaka ◽  
Kiyoaki Hamada ◽  
Masato Araki ◽  
...  

AbstractSingle-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) has the potential to improve perioperative outcomes, including less postoperative pain, shorter operation time, less blood loss, and shorter hospital stay. However, SILS is technically difficult and needs a longer learning curve. Between April 2016 and September 2019, a total of 198 patients with clinical stage I/II right colon cancer underwent curative resection. In the case of the SILS approach, an organ retractor was usually used to overcome SILS-specific restrictions. The patients were divided into two groups by surgical approach: the SILS with organ retractor group (SILS-O, n = 33) and the conventional laparoscopic surgery group (LAC, n = 165). Clinical T status was significantly higher in the LAC group (p = 0.016). Operation time was shorter and blood loss was lower in the SILS-O group compared to the LAC group (117 vs. 197 min, p = 0.027; 10 vs. 25 mL, p = 0.024, respectively). In the SILS-O group, surgical outcomes including operation time, blood loss, number of retrieved lymph nodes, and postoperative complications were not significantly different between those performed by experts and by non-experts. Longer operation time (p = 0.041) was significantly associated with complications on univariate and multivariate analyses (odds ratio 2.514, 95%CI 1.047–6.035, p = 0.039). SILS-O was safe and feasible for right colon cancer. There is a potential to shorten the learning curve of SILS using an organ retractor.


Author(s):  
Fei Chi Chuang ◽  
Yu Min Chou ◽  
Ling Ying Wu ◽  
Tsai Hwa Yang ◽  
Wen Hsin Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction and hypothesis In addition to laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LS), laparoscopic pectopexy (LP) is a novel surgical method for correcting apical prolapse. The descended cervix or vaginal vault is suspended with a synthetic mesh by fixing the bilateral mesh ends to the pectineal ligaments. This study was aimed at developing a learning curve for LP and to compare it with results with LS. Methods We started laparoscopic/robotic pectopexy in our department in August 2019. This retrospective study included the initial 18 consecutive women with apical prolapse receiving LP and another group undergoing LS (21 cases) performed by the same surgeon. The medical and video records were reviewed. Results The age was older in the LP group than in the LS group (65.2 vs 53.1 years). The operation time of LP group was significantly shorter than that of the LS group (182.9 ± 27.2 vs 256.2 ± 45.5 min, p < 0.001). The turning point of the LP learning curve was observed at the 12th case. No major complications such as bladder, ureteral, bowel injury or uncontrolled bleeding occurred in either group. Postoperative low back pain and defecation symptoms occurred exclusively in the LS group. During the follow-up period (mean 7.2 months in LP, 16.2 months in LS), none of the cases had recurrent apical prolapse. Conclusions Laparoscopic pectopexy is a feasible surgical method for apical prolapse, with a shorter operation time and less postoperative discomfort than LS. LP may overcome the steep learning curve of LS because the surgical field of LP is limited to the anterior pelvis and avoids encountering the critical organs.


Author(s):  
Emily L. Lin ◽  
Agustin Sibona ◽  
Jiahao Peng ◽  
Pramil N. Singh ◽  
Esther Wu ◽  
...  

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