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.

Journal Article by Young N, Enochsson L (…) Sandblom G et 3 al. in Surg Endosc

© 2026. The Author(s).

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