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Transition to robotic adrenalectomy: a surgeon-specific learning curve evaluation
Sezer Akbulut1, Tugba Matlim Ozel2, Aykut Celik2
1Department of General Surgery, Division of Endocrine Surgery, University of Health Sciences, Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. drsezerakbulut@gmail.com.
Journal of Robotic Surgery
|May 15, 2026
Summary
Surgeons achieve proficiency in robotic adrenalectomy relatively quickly, but mastering console performance takes longer. This study highlights a multiphase learning curve for robotic transabdominal adrenalectomy.
Area of Science:
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Surgical Robotics
- Endocrine Surgery
Background:
- Robotic adrenalectomy is gaining traction in specialized centers.
- Understanding surgeon-specific learning curves is crucial for robotic surgery adoption.
- Data on the learning trajectory for robotic transabdominal adrenalectomy is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze surgeon-specific learning patterns in robotic transabdominal adrenalectomy.
- To determine the number of cases required to achieve proficiency.
- To investigate the learning curve for operative and console times.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective single-center cohort study of adult patients.
- Analysis of 56 robotic transabdominal adrenalectomies performed between March 2024 and December 2025.
- Sequential analysis of operative time and surgeon-dependent console time using LOESS smoothing and LC-CUSUM.
Main Results:
- Mean operative time was 137.8 minutes; mean console time was 91.0 minutes.
- Learning curve analysis indicated rapid early improvement and stabilization around 32 cases.
- Proficiency in operative time was achieved by the 10th-12th case; console proficiency required approximately 36 cases.
Conclusions:
- Robotic transabdominal adrenalectomy demonstrates early proficiency in overall operative time.
- Stabilization of surgeon-dependent console performance requires a more extended learning period.
- A multiphase learning curve model is supported for robotic transabdominal adrenalectomy proficiency.
