Akihiko Okamura1, Masayuki Watanabe2, Ian Fukudome1, Kotaro Yamashita1, Masami Yuda1, Masaru Hayami1, Yu Imamura1, Shinji Mine1. 1. Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Gastroenterology Center, The Cancer Institute, Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan. 2. Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Gastroenterology Center, The Cancer Institute, Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 3-8-31 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-8550, Japan. masayuki.watanabe@jfcr.or.jp.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is being increasingly performed; however, it is still associated with high morbidity and mortality. The correlation between surgical team proficiency and patient load lacks clarity. This study evaluates surgical outcomes during the first 3-year period after establishment of a new surgical team. METHODS: A new surgical team was established in September 2013 by two expert surgeons having experience of performing more than 100 MIEs. We assessed 237 consecutive patients who underwent MIE for esophageal cancer and evaluated the impact of surgical team proficiency on postoperative outcomes, as well as the team learning curve. RESULTS: In the cumulative sum analysis, a point of downward inflection for operative time and blood loss was observed in case 175. After 175 cases, both operative time and blood loss significantly decreased (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively), and postoperative incidence of pneumonia significantly decreased from 18.9 to 6.5% (P = 0.024). Median postoperative hospital stay also decreased from 20 to 18 days (P = 0.022). Additionally, serum CRP levels on postoperative day 1 showed a significant, but weak inverse association with the number of cases (P = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: After 175 cases, both operative time and blood loss significantly decreased. In addition, the incidence of pneumonia decreased significantly. Additionally, surgical team proficiency may decrease serum CRP levels immediately after MIE. Surgical team proficiency based on team experience had beneficial effects on patients undergoing MIE.
BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is being increasingly performed; however, it is still associated with high morbidity and mortality. The correlation between surgical team proficiency and patient load lacks clarity. This study evaluates surgical outcomes during the first 3-year period after establishment of a new surgical team. METHODS: A new surgical team was established in September 2013 by two expert surgeons having experience of performing more than 100 MIEs. We assessed 237 consecutive patients who underwent MIE for esophageal cancer and evaluated the impact of surgical team proficiency on postoperative outcomes, as well as the team learning curve. RESULTS: In the cumulative sum analysis, a point of downward inflection for operative time and blood loss was observed in case 175. After 175 cases, both operative time and blood loss significantly decreased (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively), and postoperative incidence of pneumonia significantly decreased from 18.9 to 6.5% (P = 0.024). Median postoperative hospital stay also decreased from 20 to 18 days (P = 0.022). Additionally, serum CRP levels on postoperative day 1 showed a significant, but weak inverse association with the number of cases (P = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: After 175 cases, both operative time and blood loss significantly decreased. In addition, the incidence of pneumonia decreased significantly. Additionally, surgical team proficiency may decrease serum CRP levels immediately after MIE. Surgical team proficiency based on team experience had beneficial effects on patients undergoing MIE.
Authors: I Ninomiya; H Osugi; N Tomizawa; T Fujimura; M Kayahara; H Takamura; S Fushida; K Oyama; H Nakagawara; I Makino; T Ohta Journal: Dis Esophagus Date: 2010-11 Impact factor: 3.429
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