Urology Research & Practice
Editorial

The impact of laparoscopic fellowship programme on laparoscopic nephrectomy experience: a brief report

1.

İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Urology, İstanbul, Turkey

2.

Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Urology, Istanbul, Turkey

3.

Azerbaijan University, Department of Urology, Baku, Azerbaijan

4.

University of Heildelberg, SLK Klinikum Heilbronn, Department of Urology, Heilderberg, Germany

Urol Res Pract 2010; 36: 238-242
Read: 1275 Downloads: 946 Published: 25 July 2019

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the impact of 3-month laparoscopic fellowship programme (LFP) on the laparoscopy experience mainly related to laparoscopic nephrectomies. 

Materials and methods: Between September 2005 and June 2009, 131 patients underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy (LN). Groups 1 (n=87) and 2 (n=44) were defined as patients who underwent laparoscopic operation before and after LFP taken by the attending surgeon. All data were retrospectively reviewed. 

Results: There was no statistically significant difference in age, body mass index or ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) score between the two groups. Group 2 yielded a significantly shorter mean operative time (134.82±63.69 min vs. 110.75±36.68 min, p=0.028), lower estimated blood loss (283.56±412.97 mL vs. 115.68±123.54 mL, p<0.005), lower hematocrit drop (4.10±2.69% vs. 2.59±3.28%, p=0.006), and shorter hospital stay (3.94±2.52 days vs. 3.11±2.67 days, p<0.002). The incidence of retroperitoneal approach was higher in Group 2 compared to Group 1 (90.9% vs. 29.9%, p<0.005). Additionally, the rate of performing LN by trainee’s was significantly higher in Group 2 (3.4% vs. 20.5%, p=0.003). 

Conclusion: Since a mentor transfers his/her experience to a trainee in LFP, perioperative outcomes improve eventually. Therefore, it is worth attending to a LFP even if a surgeon has a laparoscopy experience. Moreover, LFP is an indispensable step encouraging interventions for more complicated laparoscopic cases.

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