To evaluate the learning curve of the simplified fluoroscopic biplanar (0-90º) puncture technique for percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
We prospectively evaluated patients with renal stones treated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy by a single institution's fellows employing the simplified bi-planar (0-90º) fluoroscopic puncture technique for renal access. The learning curve was assessed with the fluoroscopic screening time and the percutaneous renal puncture time. Data obtained were compared to a subset of patients operated by a senior surgeon.
Eighty-nine patients were included in the study. Forty patients were operated by fellow-1, 39 by fellow-2, and 10 patients by the senior surgeon. Demographic data of all patients between groups were homogeneous, with no difference in gender (p = 0.432), age (p = 0.92), stone volume (p = 0.78), puncture laterality (p = 0.755), and body mass index (p = 0.365). The mean puncture time was 7.5, 4, and 3.1 min for fellow-1, fellow-2, and expert, respectively. The mean fluoroscopic screening time for the puncture was 10, 11, and 5.1 s for fellow-1, fellow-2, and the expert, respectively. Stone cases, both fellows needed to complete 10 procedures to match the senior surgeon in the mean puncture time (p = 0.046); meanwhile, the fluoroscopic screening time was equal even before to complete 10 procedures.
This study suggests that with the simplified biplanar (0-90º) puncture technique, the fluoroscopic screening time used in the learning process is brief. A novice fellow could require to complete ten cases to flatten the learning curve treating complex stone cases, and a flat learning curve is seen since the beginning when treating simple renal stones.
World journal of urology. 2021 Mar 23 [Epub ahead of print]
B O Manzo, J E Torres, J D Cabrera, E Lozada, E Emiliani, F Sepulveda, C Morales, I Morales, H M Sanchez
Endourology Deparment, Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad Del BajíoLeon, Boulevard Campestre #306 Int 410, CP: 37160, León, Gto, Mexico. ., Endourology Deparment, Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad Del BajíoLeon, Boulevard Campestre #306 Int 410, CP: 37160, León, Gto, Mexico., Department of Clinical Research, HRAEB, Leon, Gto, Mexico., Urology Department, Fundación Puigvert, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain., Universidade Federal Da Bahia and Hospital da Mulher da Bahia, Salvador, Brazil., Urology Department, Hospital Parroquial, San Bernardo and Universidad de Los Andes, Santiago, Chile.