[Comparison of Surgical Outcome of Laparoscopic Sacrocolpopexy between the Novice and Experienced Surgeon in Laparoscopic Surgery].

Abstract

We retrospectively analyzed the safety and surgical outcomes of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC) by the novice surgeon (performed ＜5 laparoscopic surgery). Between November 2017 and December 2020, there were 15 cases in which the novice surgeon performed part of LSC, 8 cases in which the novice performed all of LSC, and 50 cases in which the experienced surgeon (performed ＞100 laparoscopic surgery) performed all of LSC. We compared surgical outcome of the 50 cases operated by the experienced surgeon and 23 cases operated by the novice. The laparoscopic time was longer when performed by the novice than by the experienced surgeon (median 208 minutes vs 189 minutes, p＝0.039). Cases of pelvic organ prolapse quantification system (POP-Q) stage 4 were operated more often by the experienced surgeon than by the novice (28% vs 4.8%, p＝0.027). There were no significant differences in the complications and recurrence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP-Q≧2). The LSC process was divided into five steps. The laparoscopic time of all steps was longer when performed by the novice than by the experienced surgeon except the step of lifting up the sigmoid colon and hysterectomy. As the number of cases performed by the novice increased, the laparoscopic time of all steps decreased. The short-term surgical outcomes for cases operated by the novice and experienced surgeon were comparable when the novice avoided cases of POP-Q stage 4. LSC has been said to be difficult, but in this study, even novice surgeons in laparoscopic surgery may be able to perform LSC by accumulating cases. Although this study is not generalizable due to limitations, we believe it will inspire many young doctors to perform LSC.