Vol. 43 (2): 245-255, March – April, 2017
doi: 10.1590/S1677-5538.IBJU.2016.0237
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Lang Feng 1, Jian Song 1, Daoxin Zhang 1, Ye Tian 1
1 Department of Urology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
ABSTRACT
Objective: To analyze the mentor-based learning curve of one single surgeon with transurethral plasmakinetic enucleation and resection of prostate (PKERP) prospectively.
Materials and Methods: Ninety consecutive PKERP operations performed by one resident under the supervision of an experienced endourologist were studied. Operations were analyzed in cohorts of 10 cases to determine when a plateau was reached for the variables such as operation efficiency, enucleation efficiency and frequency of mentor advice (FMA). Patient demographic variables, perioperative data, complications and 12-month follow-up data were analyzed and compared with the results of a senior urologist.
Results: The mean operative efficiency and enucleation efficiency increased from a mean of 0.49±0.09g/min and 1.11±0.28g/min for the first 10 procedures to a mean of 0.63±0.08g/min and 1.62±0.36g/min for case numbers 31-40 (p=0.003 and p=0.002).
The mean value of FMA decreased from a mean of 6.7±1.5 for the first 10 procedures to a mean of 2.8±1.2 for case numbers 31-40 (p<0.01). The senior urologist had a mean operative efficiency and enucleation efficiency equivalent to those of the senior resident after 40 cases. There was significant improvement in 3, 6 and 12 month’s parameter compared with preoperative values (p<0.001).
Conclusions: PKERP can be performed safely and efficiently even during the initial learning curve of the surgeon when closely mentored. Further well-designed trials with several surgeons are needed to confirm the results.
Keywords: Prostate; Transurethral Resection of Prostate
