Learning curve of single-direction anatomical right upper lobectomy by 3D uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopy in elderly patients
Objective To explore the learning curve of single-direction anatomical right upper lobectomy by 3D unipor-tal video-assisted thoracoscopy in elderly patients.Methods The clinical data of 53 elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer admitted from January 2021 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.CUSUM analysis was used to analyze the learning curve of single-direction anatomical right upper lobectomy by 3D uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopy.Results The average operation time was(155.15±31.13)min(100~230 min).The cut-off value of the learning curve was 23,which indicated that the surgeon needed to undergo at least 23 surgeries to gradually master the technique.The 53 patients were divid-ed into group A and group B according to the cut-off value of the learning curve.The group A had significantly longer opera-tion time,greater intraoperative blood loss,and longer postoperative hospital stay than those of the group B,and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).There were no significant differences between the two groups in the number of lymph nodes dissection,postoperative incision pain score(24 h and 48 h after surgery),drainage volume 24 h after surgery,thoracic tube retention time,and postoperative complications(all P>0.05).Conclusion It may require accumulating ap-proximately 23 surgical experiences to cross the learning curve to achieve skilled operation.