Background: We aimed to evaluate the learning curve (LC) for laparoscopic right-sided colon cancer surgery (LRCCS) by comparing the results between two surgeons (first-generation colorectal surgeon versus laparoscopically trained surgeon).
Methods: The study was a retrospective analysis that evaluated 117 consecutive LRCCSs performed by two surgeons, the first-generation surgeon (Surgeon A) and laparoscopically trained surgeon (Surgeon B), from April 1995 to August 2006. Patients were divided into two groups; patients included in groups I and II received LRCCSs from surgeons A and B, respectively.
Results: The moving average method revealed that the operation times of surgeons A and B began to shorten after the 9th case. The cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis of group I data showed that the 24th case was the peak point of conversion. The 35th case was the peak for intraoperative complications, and the 17th case was the peak for postoperative complications. There was only one case of conversion in group II. The peak points for inadequate lymph node dissection were the 37th case in group I and the 8th case in group II. The CUSUM analysis for surgeons A and B showed that the 18th case and the 8th case, respectively, were the overall peak points in the failure of LRCCS.
Conclusions: We suggest that careful observation of a laparoscopic procedure, such as acting as the scope operator for a certain amount of time, may help in shortening the LC of the actual procedure.