Observational studyBMC surgery2026
Defining the learning curve of laparoscopic adrenalectomy: a single-center experience.
Observational study in BMC surgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
11 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundLaparoscopic adrenalectomy has become the standard approach for most benign adrenal lesions. However, the number of cases required for a surgeon to achieve proficiency remains debated, as learning curves vary according to patient characteristics, lesion factors, and surgeon experience. This study aims to evaluate learning curve for laparoscopic adrenalectomy and identified factors influencing operative duration in a single-surgeon experience.
methodsThis is a retrospective observational cohort study that evaluated 70 consecutive unilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomies performed via the lateral transperitoneal approach. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and perioperative variables were collected. Univariate analysis was followed by multivariable linear regression to determine factors associated with operative duration. The learning curve was assessed using moving average smoothing, Cumulative Sum Control Chart, and segmented regression of operative duration against case sequence. A second segmented analysis was performed on the multivariable model incorporating preoperative and intraoperative factors associated with operative duration.
resultsThe cohort had a mean age of 46 ± 15.8 years, with 71.4% being females. The median surgery duration was 120 min (IQR: 67.5) with a mean of 123 ± 53.7 min. On multivariable analysis, larger tumor size (P = 0.01) and greater intraoperative blood loss (P < 0.001) were independently associated with longer operative durations. Learning curve analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in operative duration (P = 0.01) with a breakpoint at 23 cases. A secondary multivariable model incorporating both preoperative and intraoperative factors identified a later breakpoint at 32.7 cases, reflecting the combined influence of experience and operative conditions.
conclusionA learning curve was observed, with operative duration improving after approximately 23 cases. A secondary multivariable model identified a later model-based breakpoint at around 33 cases. These findings should be interpreted as cohort-specific estimates and suggest that learning-curve interpretation in laparoscopic adrenalectomy should consider both accumulated experience and operative factors that influence surgical performance.
Indexed as
Identifiers
42888389What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.