794 A Systematic Review Measuring and Reporting the Surgical Learning Curve in Early Phase Studies of Surgical Innovation

Community learning is a key component for the progression of surgical innovation, which is itself crucial to advancing surgical practice. Assessment of learning curve’s (LCs) allow rigorous evaluation of new surgical procedures/devices and their introduction into clinical practice. The Idea–Development–Exploration–Assessment–Long-term (IDEAL) framework provides recommendations for the evaluation of new surgical procedures and devices throughout the stages of innovation. This study aimed to identify the current reporting practice of LCs in IDEAL studies. Method A systematic review was conducted to identify author-reported IDEAL/IDEAL-D studies of any IDEAL stage and surgical specialty. LC outcomes were extracted including information relating to surgeons’ experience and training, and methods for measuring and assessing the LC. Results Searches yielded 1411 publications, of which 59 studies met the eligibility criteria. Of these, 31 (53%) reported information on the LC, with only 3 (5%) studies measuring or reporting on LC in detail. 21 (36%) studies reported training for surgeons and 16 (27%) reported support or performance monitoring. Conclusions Despite IDEAL recommendations, reporting the LC was found to be rare in the included studies. Reporting of the LC in future studies is recommended to facilitate robust evaluation of new surgical procedures and devices.