Learning Curve for Uniportal Thoracoscopic Pulmonary Segmentectomy: How Many Procedures Are Required to Acquire Expertise?

Background: Minimally invasive surgeries are increasingly being performed. However, few studies have evaluated the learning curve for uniportal thoracoscopic segmentectomies. Therefore, we investigated the learning curve for uniportal thoracoscopic segmentectomy in our department.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of consecutive patients who underwent uniportal thoracoscopic segmentectomy at our institution between February 2019 and January 2022. Two senior surgeons [Hitoshi Igai (H.I.) and Natsumi Matsuura (N.M.)] performed all of the surgeries. H.I. introduced uniportal thoracoscopic segmentectomy in our department and supervised N.M. performing this operation. Resident surgeons participated in the operations as assistants. The learning curve for uniportal thoracoscopic segmentectomy was evaluated on the basis of operative time and cumulative sum (CUSUM).

Results: The entire team, including resident surgeons, completed the learning curve by performing 60 surgeries. The learning curve consisted of three phases: initial learning (60 surgeries), accumulation of competence (16 surgeries), and acquisition of expertise (17 surgeries), respectively. The operative time, blood loss, postoperative drainage, and postoperative hospitalization time significantly improved across the phases. N.M. completed the initial learning curve faster than H.I. (16 and 29 surgeries, respectively).

Conclusions: Under supervision by an experienced surgeon, a team successfully completed the learning curve for uniportal thoracoscopic segmentectomy and achieved good perioperative outcomes, which indicates the importance of appropriate supervision for acquiring expertise for this surgery.