A risk-adjusted cumulative sum analysis of the progression from a novice to an expert surgeon at a single institution.

BACKGROUND/

OBJECTIVE

Laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer is challenging for novice surgeons because it requires a sharp dissection in a narrow pelvis with visual limitations. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the learning curve and clinical outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer performed by a novice surgeon en route to becoming an expert.

METHODS

In total, 119 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer performed by a single surgeon between June 2010 and December 2019 were analyzed. A single hybrid model based on the operative time, open conversion, complications, and resection margin involvement was generated to assess the success of laparoscopic surgery. Furthermore, the learning curve was evaluated using the risk-adjusted cumulative sum (RA-CUSUM) method.

RESULTS

The learning period was categorized into three phases according to the RA-CUSUM method (phase 1, 1st-33rd cases; phase 2, 34th-84th cases; and phase 3, 85th-119th cases). Tumor size (p = 0.004), distal resection margin (p = 0.003), and the number of harvested lymph nodes (p < 0.001) significantly increased with the learning period. The time to tolerable soft diet became shorter according to the learning period (p = 0.017). Advanced T stage (p = 0.024) and adjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.012) were more common in phase 3.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggested that the initial technical competence of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer was acquired in the 33rd case. Technical mastery was achieved in the 84th case. After mastering the technique, the surgeon tended to challenge more advanced cases, however, the complication rates did not increase.