A learning curve for laparoscopic liver resection: an effective training system and standardization of technique

Abstract

The incidence of laparoscopic liver resection (LHx) has been increased in the past decade. There have been some reports about some advantages of LHx, in both short and long-term outcomes after operation. The use of a minor LHx was regarded as a standard surgical practice, and some peri-operative complications hindered worldwide increase of LHx in the Second International Consensus Conference on LHx at Morioka. However, no suggestions were described in terms with how to provide the best teaching and training necessary to shorten the learning curve for inexperienced surgeons using a new surgical technique while continuing to maintain a low rate of morbidity from the very beginning. This study includes a literature review of published research which looked at a learning curve for LHx. As well, it proposes a new step-wise training method for inexperienced surgeons and standardization of a technique for LHx focusing especially on laparoscopic left hepatectomy (LLHx).