title: Learning thoracoscopic lobectomy in resident training.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thoracoscopic lobectomy is a safe and effective procedure; however, the ways by which to incorporate this technically demanding procedure into residency training is still unknown. We reported on the outcomes of thoracoscopic lobectomies performed by a single thoracic resident, who was simultaneously undergoing training for both open and thoracoscopic lobectomies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 2010, and May 2011, data from 87 consecutive thoracoscopic lobectomies that were performed by a trainee surgeon (B.-Y.W.) were prospectively obtained. Data were grouped into the first 30 and subsequent 57 cases. Patient characteristics, operative data, complications, and surgical pathology were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean operating time in group 2 was significantly lower compared with group 1 (264.0 ± 45.9 min in group 1 vs. 197.5 ± 57.7 min in group 2; p<0.001). There were no mortalities in both the groups and no significant differences in postoperative complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thoracoscopic lobectomy can be taught to a nonexperienced thoracic resident during an open procedure without compromising the safety of patients. It appears that surgical performance reaches a plateau after the completion of 30 cases.
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Changhua Christian Hospital, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chang-Lun
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia-Chuan
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Changhua Christian Hospital, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ching-Yuan
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Changhua Christian Hospital, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ching-Hsiung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Chung
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Changhua Christian Hospital, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Bing-Yen
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D059032:Learning Curve; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D061214:Patient Safety; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000193:education*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000193:education*; D013997:Time Factors