title: Implementation of laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy--a single centre's experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to describe the learning curve of a single surgeon to achieve the ability to perform a complication-free and anatomically successful laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC).
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients, from the first LSC onwards (1996) were included. Outcome measures were operation time, number of laparotomies, complications and anatomical failures within 3 months. Learning curves were generated using moving average method (MOA) and cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis to assess changes in respectively operation time and failures (laparotomy, complication or anatomical failure).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 206 patients, 83% were completed by laparoscopy. The intra-operative and major respectively minor post-operative complication rates were 2.4% (n = 5), 4.4% (n = 9) and 12.6% (n = 26). CUSUM analysis showed adequate learning after 60 cases. MOA showed that operation time declined rapidly during the first 30 procedures reaching a steady state (175 min) after 90 cases. Complications remained unchanged throughout the series.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LSC was associated with a low complication rate but a long learning curve.
authors.affiliation: Pelvic Floor Unit, University Hospitals Leuven, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Filip
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Claerhout
authors.forename: Jan Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Roovers
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lewi
authors.forename: Jasper
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Verguts
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Ridder
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Deprest
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D053825:Suburethral Slings; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000601:surgery