Impact of learning curve on perioperative outcomes of off-clamp minimally invasive partial nephrectomy: propensity score matched comparison of outcomes between training versus expert series.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Off-clamp robotic partial nephrectomy (Off C-RPN) is a challenging technique, hard to teach since bleeding control is not easily reproducible in training settings. We compared perioperative outcomes of two propensity score matched (PSM) cohorts of patients undergone Off C-RPN by either a training or an expert surgeon in the same Institution. METHODS: and t-test. RESULTS: Overall, 111 were treated by the expert, 51 by the training surgeon, respectively. Training surgeon experienced a significant decrease of console time (P=0.01). Patients treated by the expert surgeon had significantly larger tumors, higher PADUA and ASA scores (all P≤0.04). After applying the PSM, two cohorts of 29 patients, homogeneous for all baseline demographic and clinical variables (all P≥0.34) were selected. Hilar clamping was never necessary. Hospital stay, hemoglobin and eGFR at discharge, complication and positive surgical margins rates were comparable between the two cohorts (all P≥0.15). CONCLUSIONS: Our results proved that the impact of learning curve on outcomes of Off C-RPN is negligible after completion of a proper training in minimally invasive surgery.