Robert Marx, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, is the co-author of a study examining the learning curve for surgeons performing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, according to a hospital news release.
Dr. Marx and his colleagues analyzed data from the New York State Department of Health, including all hospital and surgery center procedures in New York from 1997-2006 from surgeons who performed their first ACL surgery in 1997 or later. The data included 12,778 surgeries.
The study found that:
• Patients within the first 10 cases were around five times more likely to undergo a second ACL reconstruction than if the patient had been the surgeon's 150th case or later.
• Patients who were cases 11-60 cases were 3.7 times more likely to have a second ACL reconstruction.
• Patients who were 61-120 cases were three times more likely to have a second ACL reconstruction.
• Patient who were 121-150 cases were 1.4 times more likely to have a second ACL reconstruction.
The study also reported that undergoing a fellowship in orthopedic surgery didn't make the learning curve less steep.
Related Articles on Orthopedic Surgery:
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The study found that:
• Patients within the first 10 cases were around five times more likely to undergo a second ACL reconstruction than if the patient had been the surgeon's 150th case or later.
• Patients who were cases 11-60 cases were 3.7 times more likely to have a second ACL reconstruction.
• Patients who were 61-120 cases were three times more likely to have a second ACL reconstruction.
• Patient who were 121-150 cases were 1.4 times more likely to have a second ACL reconstruction.
The study also reported that undergoing a fellowship in orthopedic surgery didn't make the learning curve less steep.
Related Articles on Orthopedic Surgery:
Portland Trail Blazers' Greg Oden Undergoes Knee Surgery in Colorado
Dr. Richard Steadman Performs Knee Surgery on Detroit Tigers' Victor Martinez
Dr. Robert Marx on Capsular Meniscal Repair for Female Athletes