The impact of the learning curve on adhesion formation in a laparoscopic mouse model

Roberta Corona*, Jasper Verguts, Maria Mercedes Binda, Carlos Roger Molinas, Ron Schonman, Philippe R. Koninckx

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the impact of surgeon training on adhesion formation in a laparoscopic mouse model. Laparoscopic surgery and bowel manipulation was demonstrated to enhance postoperative adhesion formation. Design: Prospective randomized, controlled trial. Setting: University laboratory research center. Animal(s): 200 BALB/c and 200 Swiss female mice. Intervention(s): Adhesions were induced by opposing bipolar lesions and 60 minutes of pneumoperitoneum. Each surgeon operated on 80 mice (40 Swiss and 40 BALB/c), the only variable thus being his/her increasing experience. Some surgeons were already experienced gynecologists, others were starting their training. Main Outcome Measure(s): End points were the duration of surgery while performing the lesions. The adhesion formation was scored quantitatively (proportion and total) and qualitatively (extent, type, and tenacity) after 7 days. Result(s): With training, duration of surgery and adhesion formation decreased exponentially for all surgeons, whether experienced or not. Experienced surgeons had initially a shorter duration of surgery, less adhesion formation, and less de novo adhesions than inexperienced surgeons. Conclusion(s): These data suggest that laparoscopic skills improve with training, leading to a decrease in the duration of surgery and formation of adhesions. Therefore completion of a standardized learning curve should be mandatory when initiating adhesion formation studies both in laboratory or clinical setting.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)193-197
Number of pages5
JournalFertility and Sterility
Volume96
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2011

Funding

FundersFunder number
Leuven Quality Surgery Fund

    Keywords

    • Learning curve
    • adhesions
    • laparoscopy
    • mouse model
    • surgery
    • training

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