Learning curve for electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy-guided microwave ablation: a cumulative sum analysis.

BACKGROUND

Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) transbronchial microwave ablation (MWA) has showed its potential in treating pulmonary nodules. However, the learning curve of this technique remains unclear. This study aimed to analyze the learning curve of ENB-guided MWA for treating pulmonary nodules.

METHODS

Clinical data of patients who had received ENB-guided MWA for treating pulmonary nodules operated by two beginner operators were retrospectively collected. The learning curve of two operators was analyzed using cumulative sum method. The operation time, success rate, and complication rate were analyzed.

RESULTS

For operation time, the change points of the two operators were at the 33rd and 40th cases, respectively. For operation success rate, the first change points representing the reversal of the trend were at the 22nd and 13th cases, the second change points representing achieving the acceptable true failure rate were at the 48th and 55th cases for two operators, respectively. Complication rate was not significantly different from the acceptable complication rate.

CONCLUSIONS

ENB-guided MWA for treating pulmonary nodules is a safe and relatively easy-to-learn technique, indicating the potential for popularization in clinical practice. Though limits exists and further multi-center studies with more operators are needed to verify the results.