Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 1, 2026
08:21
Utilizing a 3D Printed Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication Model to Shorten a Resident's Learning Curve
Published on: August 15, 2025
840
Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair: defining the learning curve
Arwa Al-Harazi1, Rajat Goel, Charles T K Tan
1Department of Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgical Centre, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
Surgical Laparoscopy, Endoscopy & Percutaneous Techniques
|April 19, 2014
Summary
Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair operative time stabilized within the first 12 cases for experienced surgeons. This minimally invasive approach demonstrated a 6.6% recurrence rate over a 54-month follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Abdominal Wall Reconstruction
- Surgical Outcomes Research
Background:
- Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) is a common surgical procedure.
- Surgeon experience is a critical factor influencing operative time and patient outcomes.
- Understanding performance curves in LVHR is essential for optimizing surgical training and practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the learning curve and performance plateau for laparoscopic ventral hernia repair among experienced surgeons.
- To analyze operative time (OT) and identify the number of cases required to achieve consistent performance.
- To assess complication rates and recurrence following LVHR.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 181 laparoscopic ventral hernia repairs performed between 2004 and June 2011.
- Focus on data from 60 patients (50 female, 10 male; mean age 42.3 years) with detailed evaluation of operative time.
- Comparison of outcomes among three experienced laparoscopic surgeons.
Main Results:
- Operative time (OT) for LVHR stabilized within the first 12 cases, with a mean OT of 98.9 minutes.
- No significant differences in OT or complications were observed among the three surgeons.
- A 5% complication rate (prolonged ileus, bowel serosal tear, port-site hernia) and a 6.6% recurrence rate were recorded with a mean follow-up of 54 months.
Conclusions:
- Experienced surgeons achieve a performance plateau in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair early in their series (approximately 12 cases).
- LVHR demonstrates acceptable complication and recurrence rates, supporting its efficacy for ventral hernia repair.
- The study highlights the efficiency and reproducibility of LVHR by experienced surgical teams.
