Learning Curve of a Low-Volume Veterinary Surgeon for Laparoscopic Salpingectomy in Asiatic Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus) = Learning Curve of a Low-Volume Veterinary Surgeon for Laparoscopic Salpingectomy in Asiatic Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus)

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The aim of this study was to analyze the learning curve of a low-volume veterinary surgeon for laparoscopic salpingectomy of Asiatic black bear. A total of 66 Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) were presented for sterilization using laparoscopic salpingectomy. These 66 bears were divided into three groups of 22 bears according to the order of surgery (A, B, and C groups, 22 bears per group). One veterinarian performed laparoscopic salpingectomy. There was no significant difference in age, body weight, or crown-rump length between groups. The hazard of completion for salpingectomy by 5 minutes was higher (p < 0.0001) in B and C groups than A group, whereas the hazard was not significant different between B and C groups. The factor that affected the hazard of completing salpingectomy by 5 minutes was heart rate, not age or weight. Operation time was 12.61 ± 8.04 minutes for group A, 5.35 ± 4.38 minutes for group B, and 2.80 ± 1.16 minutes for group C. The operation time for salpingectomy shortened over time. However, significant difference in operation time was present only between groups A and C (p = 0.001). The operation time for laparoscopic salpingectomy decreased rapidly for the first 7 bears (p < 0.05). It then decreased gradually until the 66th case. Operation time of laparoscopic salpingectomy was significantly decreased and stabilized after 33 cases (p < 0.05). As a result, the number of bears required for a low-volume veterinary surgeon to be proficient in laparoscopic salpingectomy is 33 or more.