Evaluation of the Single-Port Laparoscopic Right Hemicolectomy Learning Curve

Background: The use of single-port laparoscopy has gained popularity within recent years. Part of the appeal in learning this approach is that it draws heavily from concepts mastered through conventional laparoscopy. Various studies have shown the efficacy and feasibility of the single-port laparoscopic approach, but there are few that examine the learning curve in adopting this new technique. Objective: Our goal was to better define the learning curve in performing a single-port laparoscopic right hemicolectomy. Design: A review of prospectively gathered operative data was performed to analyze the results of single-port laparoscopic right hemicolectomies performed within our institution by experienced laparoscopic surgeons. The first 100 cases were divided into quintiles. Comparisons were made among the cohorts regarding patient demographics, operative time, length of stay, conversions, and complications. Results: There was no difference among quintiles with regard to age, sex, BMI, or ASA class. Operative time, conversions, length of stay, and number of complications did not significantly vary among each group of patients. There was a significant difference in estimated blood loss and length of stay between the fifth cohort and the others due to one patient’s poor outcome. Conclusions: The single-port laparoscopic right hemicolectomy learning curve for surgeons already skilled in laparoscopy is short. There are few differences in various outcome measures among groups at any stage in the learning curve. The skills utilized to perform conventional laparoscopic colorectal surgery readily translate to the single-port approach and result in proficiency from nearly the start.