[ESTABLISHING A NEW TEAM FOR ENDOSCOPIC ENDONASAL SKULL BASE SURGERY: THE LEARNING CURVE FROM BASIC TO ADVANCED...

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Otolaryngology
• Surgical Innovation

Context:

• Establishing a dedicated endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery (EES) team involves a learning curve, even with experienced surgeons.
• The study evaluated the initial 40 cases versus later cases to assess team adaptation.

Purpose:

• To examine the learning curve associated with establishing a new endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery (EES) team.
• To compare surgical complexity, outcomes, and complication rates between early and late phases of team establishment.

Summary:

• The study compared the first 40 (early group) and last 40 (late group) EES cases performed by a newly established team.
• While complexity increased in the late group, surgical outcomes and overall complications showed no significant difference; however, postoperative CSF leaks decreased in the late group.
• The learning curve for a new EES team, even with experienced surgeons, was estimated to be around 40 cases.

Impact:

• Provides insights into the learning curve for new EES teams, aiding in surgical planning and resource allocation.
• Suggests that approximately 40 cases are needed for a new EES team to achieve optimal performance.
• Highlights the potential for improved outcomes, such as reduced CSF leak rates, as a team matures.