OBJECTIVETo explore the learning curve for middle pancreatectomy by comparing the outcomes of middle pancreatectomy operated by a single treatment group at different stages.

METHODSA total of 48 patients received middle pancreatectomy by single treatment group between January 2006 and April 2014 at our hospital. These 48 cases were divided into 10 stages (5 cases in each) according to the operation sequence. The operation time, blood loss, surgical complications, rate of negative margin and postoperative hospital stay were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference among the 10 stages in respect to surgical complications, rate of negative margin and postoperative hospital stay (P>0.05). The median operation time and blood loss in the first stage was 375 min and 530 ml, respectively. The median operation time and blood loss in the second stage was 280 min and 330 ml, respectively. There were significant differences between these two stages and the other later stages in median operation time and blood loss (P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference among the stages 3 to 10 in the median operation time and blood loss (P>0.05 for all).

CONCLUSIONAfter 10-15 cases of middle pancreatectomy, a surgeon can be skilled and experienced in this surgical procedure with few surgical complications.