[Surgeons learn how to learn. Study of 76,499 herniorrhaphies performed between 1993 and 1997 registered by the chamber of physicians in Westfalia-Lippe].

Introduction: New techniques require "new" surgeons who are able to apply them safely. The bushfire-like employment of laparoscopic cholecystectomy confronted a community of surgeons totally inexperienced in that technique. Thus, the collective learning curve was paralleled by a temporary increase of postoperative complications.