Learning curve analysis of multiport robot-assisted hysterectomy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surgical outcomes and learning curve of multiport robot-assisted hysterectomy.

Eighty-eight patients were identified who underwent multiport robot-assisted surgery for hysterectomy. A retrospective analysis was performed. The cumulative summation technique (CUSUM) was used to investigate the learning curve in surgical proficiency by analyzing total operative, docking, and console times.

The patients' median age was 51 years. In addition, the median operative time was 120.5 min (range 56-344 min). The most common indication for surgery was myoma (33.0%). The median estimated blood loss was 30 mL (range 5-200 mL). There was no conversion to laparoscopic or open surgery. No transfusion was required, and only one complication including umbilical incisional hernia was reported. A tendency of decline in total operative time following the first 23 cases was found. The CUSUM graph for total operative time indicated the generation of three distinct performance phases: learning (n = 23), competence (n = 36), and mastery (n = 29). The median docking time was 3 min (range 1-10 min) and median console time was 70 min (range 24-298 min).

The multiport robot-assisted surgery is an easy and safe procedure with minimal postoperative complications and can be quickly learned. The learning curve was 23 cases to significantly decrease the operative time.