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Impact of a learning curve model in kidney transplantation on functional outcome and surgical complications in a small volume centre: does size really matter?

  • Urology - Original Paper
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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate surgical complications and functional results of deceased-donor renal transplantations (DDRT) in a small centre dependent on the surgeons level of experience and to derive a leaning-curve model for DDRT.

Methods

Three hundred and ninety-two recipients underwent DDRT at the Department of Urology, Bonn University. Operative procedures were performed by 18 various urological surgeons grouped in 5 levels of experience (LOE). Perioperative data, complications and graft survival after 12 months were recorded depending on LOEs.

Results

Operative time and warm ischaemia time significantly decreased after an experience of 40 DDRT. Complication rates and graft function after 12 months did not differ between all LOEs.

Conclusions

Kidney transplantation in a small centre is a safe and effective procedure even if performed by surgeons under education. As a crucial finding, a surgeon climbing his learning curve becomes faster but not necessarily better.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Bonn University, Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25, 53105, Bonn, Germany

    Guido Fechner, Ilja Seifert, Stefan Hauser & Stefan C. Müller

Authors
  1. Guido Fechner
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  2. Ilja Seifert
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  3. Stefan Hauser
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  4. Stefan C. Müller
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Guido Fechner.

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Fechner, G., Seifert, I., Hauser, S. et al. Impact of a learning curve model in kidney transplantation on functional outcome and surgical complications in a small volume centre: does size really matter?. Int Urol Nephrol 44, 1411–1415 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-012-0254-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-012-0254-5

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