Impact of Surgeon Experience on Outcomes in Prostate Cancer Surgery; A Study of Learning Curves and Best Practices

Background: Prostate cancer is a significant health concern globally, and the success of radical prostatectomy, a standard treatment for localized prostate cancer, is heavily influenced by the surgeon's experience. Understanding the learning curves associated with this procedure is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the impact of surgeon experience on the outcomes of prostate cancer surgery, specifically examining the learning curves and identifying best practices to enhance surgical success. Method: A prospective study was conducted on 46 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Dhaka Central International Medical College Hospital between October 2020 and September 2022. The patients were divided into two groups based on the surgeon's experience: Group A (less experienced surgeons, <100 procedures) and Group B (experienced surgeons, ≥100 procedures). Surgical outcomes were analyzed and compared, including operative time, intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, and oncological outcomes. Results: The study found that patients in Group B (experienced surgeons) had significantly better outcomes than Group A. Operative time was reduced by 25% in Group B, and the rate of intraoperative complications was 12% in Group B compared to 28% in Group A. Additionally, Group B had lower rates of positive surgical margins (18% vs. 34%) and improved postoperative recovery, with a 22% reduction in hospital stay duration. Conclusions: Surgeon experience plays a crucial role in the success of prostate cancer surgery. Patients operated on by more experienced surgeons demonstrated better surgical and oncological outcomes.