Prostatectomía radical endoscópica extraperitoneal: ¿cuál es la pendiente de la curva de aprendizaje? Efectos en la técnica de evolución personal en una experiencia de 5 años / Extraperitoneal endoscopic radical prostatectomy: How steep is the learning curve? Overheads on the personal evolution technique in 5-years experience

Objetivo: Investigar prospectivamente los efectos de la curva de aprendizaje de la prostatectomía radical extraperitoneal endoscópica en sus resultados. Materiales y métodos: En un período de 5 años (2004–2008) se practicó prostatectomía radical laparoscópica con 5–6 puertos a 270 pacientes en un centro de referencia brasileño. En los primeros 70 casos, el protocolo de la curva de aprendizaje incluía a pacientes con índice de masa corporal bajo y cáncer de próstata de poco volumen y bajo grado. Posteriormente no se aplicaron criterios para descartar la cirugía laparoscópica. Se analizó a los pacientes en dos grupos: grupo 1, primeros 70 pacientes (30 transperitoneal y 40 extraperitoneal) —curva de aprendizaje—, y grupo 2, últimos 200 pacientes —sólo prostatectomía radical endoscópica extraperitoneal—. Los parámetros quirúrgicos y los resultados se compararon mediante la prueba de la t de Student y la prueba exacta de Fisher. Resultados: La media de edad fue de 65 años (± 8,2), y los parámetros determinados en los grupos 1 y 2, respectivamente, fueron los siguientes: tiempo quirúrgico medio, 300 (±190) y 180 (±100) min; pérdida de sangre, 330 (±210) y 210 (±180)ml; estancia hospitalaria, 3 (2–5) y 2 (1–3) días; márgenes quirúrgicos positivos, el 15 y el 10%; erección suficiente para la penetración en pacientes previamente potentes, el 73,3 y el 75%, sin diferencia entre los grupos. El 78% de los pacientes de ambos grupos no informó de impotencia previa. Las tasas de incontinencia urinaria grave, transfusión y complicaciones fueron mayores en el grupo 1 (p<0,05): el 10 frente al 2%, el 12 frente al 2,25% y el 30 frente al 12,5%, respectivamente. Se produjo perforación del peritoneo en el 40% de los pacientes y no se precisó conversión a cirugía abierta en ningún caso. En el 85% de los casos se utilizó un procedimiento de preservación de nervios. Tras un seguimiento medio de 3,5 años, el 90% de los pacientes no mostró recidiva del PSA, sin que hubiera diferencia entre los grupos. Conclusión: Las tasas de incontinencia urinaria grave, transfusión y complicaciones están relacionadas con la curva de aprendizaje, que es continua, aunque se hace evidente una mejoría importante después de 70 casos. Debe considerarse la aplicación de un programa de formación intensivo supervisado para limitar los problemas del aprendizaje (AU)

Objective: Prospectively investigate endoscopic extra peritoneal radical prostatectomy (EERP) learning curve impact on outcomes. Materials and methods: In a 5 year period (2004–2008) 270 patients underwent 5–6 ports laparoscopic radical prostatectomy at a referral center in Brazil. The initial 70 cases learning curve protocol included low body mass index patients with low volume, low grade prostate cancer. After that there were no criteria to exclude laparoscopic surgery. The patients were analyzed in two groups: Group 1, first 70 patients (30 transperitoneal and 40 extra peritoneal)—learning curve and Group 2, last 200 patients - EERP only. Surgical and outcome parameters were compared through Student's t test and Fisher's Exact Test. Results: The mean age was 65 years (±8.2) and comparing Groups 1 and 2, mean operative time was 300 (±190) versus 180 (±100) minutes, blood loss 330 (±210) versus 210 (±180) mL, hospital stay 3 (2 to 5) versus 2 (1 to 3) days, positive surgical margins 15% versus 10%, erection sufficient to penetration in previous potent patients 73.3% versus 75%, respectively with no difference between groups. Overall, 78% of patients referred no previous impotence with groups’ equivalence. Severe urinary incontinence, transfusion and complications rates were higher in group 1 (p<0.05): 10% versus 2%, 12% versus 2.25% and 30% versus 12.5%, respectively. Peritoneum perforation occurred in 40% and conversion to open surgery was not required. Nerve sparing procedure was applied in 85%. In 3.5-years mean follow-up 90% of patients were free of PSA recurrence with no difference between groups. Conclusion: Severe urinary incontinence, transfusion and complications rates are related to learning curve which is continuous, although a significant improvement is pragmatic after 70 cases. An intensive mentored training program should be considered to minimize the learning outlays (AU)

[Extraperitoneal endoscopic radical prostatectomy: How steep is the learning curve? Overheads on the personal evolution technique in 5-years experience]. / Prostatectomía radical endoscópica extraperitoneal: ¿cuál es la pendiente de la curva de aprendizaje? Efectos en la técnica de evolución personal en una experiencia de 5 años.

OBJECTIVE: Prospectively investigate endoscopic extra peritoneal radical prostatectomy (EERP) learning curve impact on outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a 5 year period (2004-2008) 270 patients underwent 5-6 ports laparoscopic radical prostatectomy at a referral center in Brazil. The initial 70 cases learning curve protocol included low body mass index patients with low volume, low grade prostate cancer. After that there were no criteria to exclude laparoscopic surgery. The patients were analyzed in two groups: Group 1, first 70 patients (30 transperitoneal and 40 extra peritoneal)-learning curve and Group 2, last 200 patients - EERP only. Surgical and outcome parameters were compared through Student's t test and Fisher's Exact Test. RESULTS: The mean age was 65 years (+/-8.2) and comparing Groups 1 and 2, mean operative time was 300 (+/-190) versus 180 (+/-100) minutes, blood loss 330 (+/-210) versus 210 (+/-180) mL, hospital stay 3 (2 to 5) versus 2 (1 to 3) days, positive surgical margins 15% versus 10%, erection sufficient to penetration in previous potent patients 73.3% versus 75%, respectively with no difference between groups. Overall, 78% of patients referred no previous impotence with groups' equivalence. Severe urinary incontinence, transfusion and complications rates were higher in group 1 (p<0.05): 10% versus 2%, 12% versus 2.25% and 30% versus 12.5%, respectively. Peritoneum perforation occurred in 40% and conversion to open surgery was not required. Nerve sparing procedure was applied in 85%. In 3.5-years mean follow-up 90% of patients were free of PSA recurrence with no difference between groups. CONCLUSION: Severe urinary incontinence, transfusion and complications rates are related to learning curve which is continuous, although a significant improvement is pragmatic after 70 cases. An intensive mentored training program should be considered to minimize the learning outlays.