The study aimed to examine the learning curve and perioperative complications for laparoscopic pectopexy (LP). A total of 60 women with stage II-IV apical prolapse who underwent LP were dichotomized into groups: LSH(+) with concomitant laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH), LSH(-) after previous supracervical/total hysterectomy. Operative time, estimated blood loss and hospitalization length were evaluated with cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis and the Kwiatkowski-Phillips-Schmidt-Shin (KPSS) test, separately for two surgeons (A and B). Intraoperative and perioperative complications according to the Clavien-Dindo (C-D) classification were analyzed. Mean operative time, change in hemoglobin level, and postoperative hospital stay were 143.5 ± 23.1 min-1.5 ± 0.5g/dL and 2.5 ± 0.9 days, respectively. LSH during pectopexy was associated with longer operative time (p = 0.01) but not with higher intraoperative bleeding or prolonged hospital stay. Severe complications rate was low (1.7%) with one bowel injury in LSH(-) (C-D grade IIIb). No C-D grade II, IV and V complications were found. Conversion to open pectopexy, return to the operating room or blood transfusion were not required. The KPSS test showed that a steady operative time for Surgeon A was achieved after 28 procedures. A proficiency for laparoscopic pectopexy based on CUSUM analysis was observed after 38-40 procedures.
Keywords: Clavien-Dindo; apical prolapse; cumulative sum; laparoscopy; pectopexy; pelvic organ prolapse.