Roberto Montera1, Francesco Plotti2, Roberto Ricciardi2, Andrea Miranda2, Roberta Venturella3, Fulvio Zullo3, Roberto Angioli2. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: r.montera@unicampus.it. 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy. 3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the number of procedures necessary for an untrained resident surgeon to learn transobturator tension-free vaginal tape (TVT-O) procedures for treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: A prospective study was performed among patients aged 18-75 years who underwent TVT-O procedures at a center in Rome, Italy, between March 2, 2009, and November 30, 2012. The TVT-O procedure was performed by a right-handed resident surgeon working under the supervision of an expert surgeon. Total and partial operative times were recorded. RESULTS: Among 18 patients included in analysis, the mean operative time was 22.2minutes (range 7-44). All total operative times fell within the confidence interval after the 10th procedure, with a difference between the mean times recorded in the first nine and the last eight procedures (29.5 vs 13.1minutes; P<0.001). The resident surgeon required nine procedures to learn right tunneling and 13 to learn left tunneling. CONCLUSION: Ten procedures were required for a resident surgeon to learn TVT-O procedures for SUI.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the number of procedures necessary for an untrained resident surgeon to learn transobturator tension-free vaginal tape (TVT-O) procedures for treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). METHODS: A prospective study was performed among patients aged 18-75 years who underwent TVT-O procedures at a center in Rome, Italy, between March 2, 2009, and November 30, 2012. The TVT-O procedure was performed by a right-handed resident surgeon working under the supervision of an expert surgeon. Total and partial operative times were recorded. RESULTS: Among 18 patients included in analysis, the mean operative time was 22.2minutes (range 7-44). All total operative times fell within the confidence interval after the 10th procedure, with a difference between the mean times recorded in the first nine and the last eight procedures (29.5 vs 13.1minutes; P<0.001). The resident surgeon required nine procedures to learn right tunneling and 13 to learn left tunneling. CONCLUSION: Ten procedures were required for a resident surgeon to learn TVT-O procedures for SUI.