ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Although studies have evaluated learning curves for laparoscopic surgery (LS), this issue has not yet been addressed in gynecologic oncologists. The present study aimed to evaluate LS proficiency for early-stage endometrial cancer among gynecologic oncologists. METHODS: We examined 25 cases in which LS with pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLA) for endometrial cancer was performed by two gynecologic oncologists undergoing training in LS. The LS duration, estimated blood loss (EBL), number of dissected pelvic lymph nodes (PLNs), and perioperative complications were assessed as measures of surgical proficiency. RESULTS: Operators A and B performed 10 and 15 cases, respectively, with median LS durations of 348.5 and 378 minutes, respectively. Although the LS duration and number of procedures did not exhibit a significant correlation, the regression lines for both operators showed decreasing trends. Both operators had a consistently low median EBL (A, 57 ml; B, 60 ml). Operators A and B dissected a median of 21.5 and 22 PLNs, respectively. Although both operators dissected a relatively large number of PLNs, with a median of over 20 per patient after the introduction of LS, this number decreased as the number of LS increased for Operator B (p=0.009). However, no correlation was observed between the LS duration and number of PLNs dissected by Operator B (ρ=0.353, p=0.197). A severe perioperative complication, specifically perforation of the sigmoid colon requiring emergent laparotomy, occurred in one case; however, the association with surgical manipulation was not definitive. CONCLUSION: The observed gynecologic oncologists were able to acquire early proficiency in LS for early-stage endometrial cancer.
