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Surgery Today

08-05-2024 | Rectal Cancer | Original Article

Robotic intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer: a cumulative sum analysis for the learning curve

Authors: Yihuang Gao, Hongfeng Pan, Jiahong Ye, Haoyang Ruan, Weizhong Jiang, Pan Chi, Ying Huang, Shenghui Huang

Published in: Surgery Today

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to assess the learning curve of robot-assisted intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 89 patients who underwent robot-assisted intersphincteric resection. All surgeries were performed by the same group of surgeons at our institution between June 2016 and April 2021. The learning curve was evaluated using a cumulative sum analysis and the best-fit curve. The different stages of the learning curve were compared based on patient characteristics and short-term clinical outcomes to evaluate their impact on clinical efficacy.

Results

The minimum number of cases required to overcome the learning curve was 47. The learning curve was divided into the learning improvement and proficiency stages. Significant differences were observed in the operation time and the number of lymph nodes between the two stages (P < 0.05), whereas no significant differences were found in intraoperative blood loss, first postoperative exhaust time, postoperative complications, 3-year progression-free survival, overall survival, and local recurrence-free survival (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Robotic-assisted intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer exhibits a learning curve that can be divided into two stages: namely, learning improvement and proficiency. Achieving proficiency requires a minimum of 47 surgical cases.
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Metadata
Title
Robotic intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer: a cumulative sum analysis for the learning curve
Authors
Yihuang Gao
Hongfeng Pan
Jiahong Ye
Haoyang Ruan
Weizhong Jiang
Pan Chi
Ying Huang
Shenghui Huang
Publication date
08-05-2024
Publisher
Springer Nature Singapore
Published in
Surgery Today
Print ISSN: 0941-1291
Electronic ISSN: 1436-2813
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-024-02841-x