Enhancing outcomes and accelerating learning curves in open pyeloplasty.
Samer Maher1, Perry Pak Lai Kwok1, Armando J Lorenzo1
1The Hospital for Sick Children, Division of Urology, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Summary
Surgical mentorship accelerates learning curves for junior surgeons performing pediatric open pyeloplasty, leading to early technical proficiency and satisfactory outcomes. Mentorship is crucial for safe skill acquisition in early surgical careers.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Urology
- Surgical Education
- Outcomes Research
Background:
- Evaluating the impact of surgical mentorship on early-career surgeons.
- Focusing on pediatric open pyeloplasty outcomes and learning curves.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess how surgical mentorship influences case outcomes.
- To analyze the learning curve for pediatric open pyeloplasty in junior surgeons.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 54 pediatric open pyeloplasty cases.
- Utilized cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis for operative time and complications.
- Data included case characteristics, operative times, follow-up, and complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥3b).
Main Results:
- Junior surgeon reached competency-proficiency between the 12th and 26th case.
- Demonstrated reduced operative times and satisfactory outcomes under mentorship.
- A slight increase in operative time in later cases correlated with complex cases and trainee involvement.
Conclusions:
- Surgical mentorship enables early technical proficiency in pediatric open pyeloplasty.
- Junior surgeons can achieve comparable outcomes early in their careers with mentorship.
- Mentorship is vital for ensuring satisfactory surgical outcomes during the learning curve.
