Learning curve of totally thoracoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy

Totally thoracoscopic pulmonary segmentectomy (TTPS) is a feasible and safe technique that requires advanced thoracoscopic skills and knowledge of pulmonary anatomy. However, data describing the learning curve of TTPS have yet to be obtained. In this study, 128 patients who underwent TTPS between September 2010 and December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the learning curve and were divided chronologically into three phases, namely, ascending phase (A), plateau phase (B), and descending phase (C), through cumulative summation (CUSUM) for operative time (OT). Phases A, B, and C comprised 39, 33, and 56 cases, respectively. OT and blood loss decreased significantly from phases A to C (P < 0.01), and the frequency of intraoperative bronchoscopy for target bronchus identification decreased gradually (A, 8/39; B, 4/33; C, 3/56; P = 0.06). No significant differences were observed in demographic factors, conversion, complications, hospital stay, and retrieved lymph nodes among the three phases. Surgical outcomes and techniques improved with experience and volume. CUSUMOT indicated that the learning curve of TTPS should be more than 72 cases.