The Learning Curve Study of Robotic Distal Gastrectomy: an Analysis of Outcomes of the First 67 Consecutive Cases at a High-Volume Gastric Center

Background Robotic distal gastrectomy (RDG) is performed increasingly; a sound understanding of the learning curve in robotic distal gastrectomy has taken on great importance Methods Data on the 67 RDG cases were collected from one surgeon with rich experience in laparoscopic gastrectomy. Cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis based on operative time was used to identify inflexion points. Results Thirty-five cases, on average, were needed to complete operation time-learning curve sufficiently. A reduction in surgical time was observed in the last 32 cases compared with the first 35 cases (185.3 ± 25.3 min vs. 225.1 ± 49 min, P < 0.01). Conclusions Surgeons with extensive laparoscopic experience can master robotic distal gastrectomy techniques after some training.