Oncological outcomes of laparoscopic colon resection for cancer after implementation of a full-time preceptorship

The learning curve for laparoscopic colectomy (LC) is considered long and difficult. The presence of a preceptor may shorten the learning curve of LC and ensure adequate oncologic and short-term results. City of Hope implemented a full-time LC preceptorship between September 2004 and March 2006 with one experienced surgeon assisting other surgeons. We review our outcomes with laparoscopic colon resection for colon adenocarcinoma after implementation of this preceptorship.

All cases of laparoscopic colon resection for adenocarcinoma performed from September 2004 to April 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. We compared the patients in two groups: group 1 had surgery performed during the preceptorship period from September 2004 to March 2006 (n = 39) and group 2 had procedures done between April 2006 and April 2009 (n = 74). Clinical characteristics evaluated included sex, age, body mass index (BMI), ASA level, and history of previous abdominal surgery. Postoperative variables evaluated included type of operation, conversion to open surgery, estimated blood loss (EBL), operation time, stage, number of harvested lymph nodes, time to liquid diet, postoperative stay, complications, and 30-day mortality rate. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were constructed based on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

One hundred thirteen patients underwent LC for adenocarcinoma during the study period. Mean age and BMI were similar between the groups. There was also no significant difference in conversion rates (10.3% vs. 13.5%, p = 0.77) or total complications (25.6% vs. 41.9%, p = 0.088) between groups 1 and 2, respectively. There was a significantly greater number of lymph nodes removed in the post-preceptor period (20.3 vs. 15.8, p = 0.007). The 3-year DFS rate was 96.5%, with a mean follow-up of 22.8 months, and the 3-year OS rate was 88.9%, with mean follow-up of 22.1 months, for the entire cohort.

Implementation of a program with a full-time preceptorship can help institutions overcome the challenges of laparoscopic colectomy and achieve acceptable postoperative and oncologic outcomes.