The impact of a laparoscopic colorectal surgeon on the laparoscopic colectomy experience of a single academic center.

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a laparoscopic colorectal surgeon (LCRS) on the laparoscopic colectomy experience of a single academic center.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of case complexity, patient characteristics, operative and preparation time, and trends over time for the LCRS compared to two veteran laparoscopic surgeons (VLS).

RESULTS

The LCRS performed 48 of the procedures (83%) and the VLS 10 (17%) for a total of 58 laparoscopic colon cases. The LCRS handled a greater number of complex cases (p = 0.07). For less complex cases, overall operative time differed for the two groups (LCRS = 220 +/- 11 vs VLS = 152 +/- 15 min, p = 0.004). Overall hospital stay was 4.8 +/- 0.6 days (range, 2-33). Minor complications occurred in 12 cases (21%); major complications in occurred in seven cases (12%). Among procedures performed by the LCRS, comparison of the first 24 cases to the second 24 demonstrated that operative and preparation time decreased in the second cohort (all p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The addition of an LCRS had a significant impact on this center's experience with laparoscopic colectomies in terms of both volume and case complexity.