Learning curve impacts outcomes in gallstone surgery

Surgical outcomes and operation times improve significantly with experience in laparoscopic cholecystectomies.

• Mean operation time drops from 111 minutes to 75 minutes after 800 procedures.
• Complication rates are significantly lower with an assistant present, from 7.0% to 4.7% during the initial 50 procedures (p=0.007).

Surgeons should prioritize mentorship and assistance during early cases to enhance patient safety and outcomes.

• The advantage of having an assistant remains significant up to 250 procedures.