Laparoscopic colon resection early in the learning curve: what is the appropriate setting?

Introduction: Laparoscopic colon resection (LCR) is a safe and effective treatment of benign and malignant colonic lesions. There is little question that a steep learning curve exists for surgeons to become skilled and proficient at LCR. Because of this steep learning curve, debate exists regarding the appropriate hospital setting for LCR.

Defining the learning curve for laparoscopic splenectomy for immune thrombocytopenia purpura.

Background: The current study was undertaken to define the learning curve for laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) in patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

Methods: The data of 50 patients who underwent LS for ITP between March 1996 and February 2003 were reviewed. Patients were divided into sequential groups of 10.