Adrenalectomy outcomes are superior with the participation of residents and fellows

Assessing textbook outcomes following major liver surgery in association with obesity at a referral academic center

INTRODUCTION

Outcomes of major surgeries in tertiary educational hospitals have been complicated by the referral of high-risk patients and the participation of trainees in surgical procedures. We analyzed outcomes of major hepatectomies in a tertiary academic setting emphasizing the role of training and obesity on textbook outcomes (TO).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

971 adult patients who underwent open major hepatectomy (Mesohepatectomy [n = 111], hemihepatectomy [n = 610], and extended hepatectomy [n = 250]) were evaluated. A TO was defined as: a negative resection margin, no grade B/C bile leak, no major complications, no in-hospital mortality, and no 30-day readmission. TOs were compared following operations performed by senior surgeons and those performed by junior surgeons under the supervision of senior surgeons and between patients with and without obesity.

RESULTS

TO was achieved in 70.1% of patients overall (78.4% in mesohepatectomy, 73.1% in hemihepatectomy, and 59.2% in extended hepatectomy). The rate of TO was similar following operations performed by and supervised by a senior surgeon (69.3% vs 71.0%, p = 0.570). The rate of TO was significantly lower in patients with obesity (41.5% vs 74.6%, p < 0.001). Factors including increased age (odds ratio [OR] for 10-year increase = 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.73-0.96, p = 0.009), obesity (OR = 0.25, 95%CI: 0.16-0.37, p < 0.001), biliodigestive anastomosis (OR = 0.27, 95%CI: 0.19-0.40, p < 0.001), and portal vein resection (OR = 0.49, 95%CI: 0.28-0.87, p = 0.014) lower the rate of TO.

CONCLUSION

Promising outcomes are possible after major hepatectomy in an academic setting. Obese patients and those undergoing more complex surgeries had a higher risk of poor postoperative outcomes.

The Association of Trainee Involvement in Radical Cystectomy With Perioperative and Oncologic Outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of trainee involvement in surgery on perioperative and oncological outcomes of patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed the records of patients undergoing RC for urothelial carcinoma between 2000 and 2015 at our institution. Trainee level was categorized as fellow, chief, senior and junior residents. Demographic, perioperative and oncological outcomes were recorded and compared between the groups. Specifically, operative time, 30-day complications, severe complications (Clavien III-V) and oncological outcomes (overall, cancer-specific and recurrence-free survival) were assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 895 patients were included for study. On multivariable analysis, operative times were 30-40 minutes longer in procedures assisted by junior residents as compared to more senior trainees. Notably, trainee level was not associated with overall or severe complications on multivariable analyses. Similarly, trainee level was not associated with oncologic outcomes.

CONCLUSION

While cases assisted by junior residents had longer operative times, complication rates and oncological outcomes were comparable across trainee groups. Trainee level does not appear to have an impact on perioperative and oncological outcomes of RC for urothelial carcinoma.

Effect of Resident and Fellow Involvement on Outcomes of Sarcoma Surgery: A NSQIP Database Cross-Sectional Study

Background

The complexity of sarcoma surgery often justifies surgical assistants of higher levels of academic training: senior residents, fellows, or co-surgeons. The association between the level of training of assistants and outcomes of these procedures has yet to be studied.

Methods

The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes comprising the “core” procedures for musculoskeletal oncology fellowships were gathered. After CPTs primarily capturing nononcologic procedures were excluded, the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was used to find procedures with these CPTs. The severity of complications was assessed using the Severity Weighting of Postoperative Adverse Events in Orthopedic Surgery (SWORD) score. Resident/fellow presence was analyzed both as a binary variable and stratified by level of training.

Results

In 159 cases meeting inclusion criteria, higher-level assistants were associated with increased rate of any complication (p=0.006) and greater need for transfusion (p=0.001) but also tended to be used in cases of longer duration (p=0.001) and with higher total work relative value units (wRVUs) (p=0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that while higher-wRVU procedures persisted as an independent predictor of increased complications (OR 1.028 per RVU unit, p=0.002), neither the presence nor level of training of assistants had an independent effect on complication rates. Other independent predictors of 30-day complications were treatment comorbidity (OR 3.433, p=0.010) and lower extremity location of the tumor (OR 4.393, p=0.006). Severity of complications did not differ between any of the groups on either univariate or multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Trainees of higher levels of academic training tend to be present for longer, higher-complexity musculoskeletal oncology cases, but the overall severity of complications from these do not significantly differ from lower-risk cases without trainees. Orthopedic oncologists may reassure patients that the presence of trainees and co-surgeons is not only safe but it may also help reduce the severity of complications in more complex procedures.

Influence of fellowship educational experience on practice patterns for adrenalectomy: A survey of recent AAES fellowship graduates

BACKGROUND

Current practice patterns for adrenalectomy among endocrine surgeons is a limited area of study. Here we survey relatively junior endocrine surgeons regarding educational experiences in adrenalectomy and correlate these with current practice.

METHODS

An electronic survey was sent to recent AAES-accredited fellowships graduates (2014-2019), querying adrenalectomy volume and approaches during fellowship and current practice patterns.

RESULTS

Most graduates (63.2%) performed >20 adrenalectomies in fellowship. Exposure was greatest to open (94.1%) and laparoscopic transabdominal (92.6%) adrenalectomy, followed by retroperitoneoscopic (86.7%). The majority (73.5%) of respondents stated their current practice patterns are the same as their exposure during training. Preoperative diagnosis, side of lesion, and patient comorbidities were all ranked as significant predictors affecting choice of approach (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The large majority of AAES fellowship graduates receive high-volume adrenalectomy experience in several approaches. The technique to which a trainee was exposed to most frequently was the greatest predictor for preferential approach in current practice.

Trainee-led emergency laparotomy operating

Background

To achieve completion of training in general surgery, trainees are required to demonstrate competency in common procedures performed at emergency laparotomy. The aim of this study was to describe the patterns of trainee-led emergency laparotomy operating and the association between postoperative outcomes.

Methods

Data on all patients who had an emergency laparotomy between December 2013 and November 2017 were extracted from the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit database. Patients were grouped by grade of operating surgeon: trainee (specialty registrar) or consultant (including post-Certificate of Completion of Training fellows). Trends in trainee operating by deanery, hospital size and time of day of surgery were investigated. Univariable and adjusted regression analyses were performed for the outcomes 90-day mortality and return to theatre, with analysis of patients in operative subgroups segmental colectomy, Hartmann's procedure, adhesiolysis and repair of perforated peptic ulcer disease.

Results

The study cohort included 87 367 patients. The 90-day mortality rate was 15·1 per cent in the consultant group compared with 11·0 per cent in the trainee group. There were no increased odds of death by 90 days or of return to theatre across any of the operative groups when the operation was performed with a trainee listed as the most senior surgeon in theatre. Trainees were more likely to operate independently in high-volume centres (highest- versus lowest-volume centres: odds ratio (OR) 2·11, 95 per cent c.i. 1·91 to 2·33) and at night (00.00 to 07.59 versus 08.00 to 11.59 hours; OR 3·20, 2·95 to 3·48).

Conclusion

There is significant variation in trainee-led operating in emergency laparotomy by geographical area, hospital size and by time of day. However, this does not appear to influence mortality or return to theatre.

Training in endocrine surgery

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

In Europe, the Division of Endocrine Surgery (DES) determines the number of operations (thyroid, neck dissection, parathyroids, adrenals, neuroendocrine tumors of the gastro-entero-pancreatic tract (GEP-NETs)) to be required for the European Board of Surgery Qualification in (neck) endocrine surgery. However, it is the national surgical boards that determine how surgical training is delivered in their respective countries. There is a lack of knowledge on the current situation concerning the training of surgical residents and fellows with regard to (neck) endocrine surgery in Europe.

METHODS

A survey was sent out to all 28 current national delegates of the DES. One questionnaire was addressing the training of surgical residents while the other was addressing the training of fellows in endocrine surgery. Particular focus was put on the numbers of operations considered appropriate.

RESULTS

For most of the operations, the overall number as defined by national surgical boards matched quite well the views of the national delegates even though differences exist between countries. In addition, the current numbers required for the EBSQ exam are well within this range for thyroid and parathyroid procedures but below for neck dissections as well as operations on the adrenals and GEP-NETs.

CONCLUSIONS

Training in endocrine surgery should be performed in units that perform a minimum of 100 thyroid, 50 parathyroid, 15 adrenal, and/or 10 GEP-NET operations yearly. Fellows should be expected to have been the performing surgeon of a minimum of 50 thyroid operations, 10 (central or lateral) lymph node dissections, 15 parathyroid, 5 adrenal, and 5 GEP-NET operations.

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy - is it safe in hands of residents in training?

Background

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) has become the “gold standard” for treating most adrenal tumors in the past decade. However, it is still considered a relatively complicated procedure requiring experience from surgeon. The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety of laparoscopic adrenalectomy performed by residents who are undergoing training in general surgery.

Methods

A prospectively collected database containing all 300 transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomies performed in II Department of General Surgery JU MC, Krakow between January 2013 and March 2018 was retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups; patients operated on by residents (group 1, 54 operations) and by attending general surgeons (group 2, 246 operations). We compared the course of the operation and patient hospitalization in these two groups. If the operation was completed by a different person than the one who started the procedure, we refer to this as “operator conversion”.

Results

We found no differences in demographic factors or comorbidities between the two groups. The mean operative time was similar in the residents’ and the specialists’ groups (p = 0.5761). Median blood loss did not differ between the groups (p = 0.4325). The overall ratio of intraoperative adverse events was similar in both groups (p = 0.8643). The difference in the ratio of perioperative complications between the groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.6442). The average mean hospital stay after surgery was 2 days for both groups. We identified 25 cases (8.33%) of operator conversion; the difference in operator conversions between two groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.1741).

Conclusions

Laparoscopic transperitoneal adrenalectomy performed by a supervised resident is a safe procedure. The course of the operation and patient hospitalization did not differ importantly when comparing procedures performed by residents and attending surgeons. Liberal use of operator conversions from resident to attending surgeon and from a surgeon to a senior surgeon provides reasonable safety and prevents complications. In high-volume centers performing minimally invasive techniques, closed supervision allows residents to safely perform LA.

The Effect of the Level of Training of the First Assistant on the Outcomes of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Surgery

BACKGROUND

At academic medical centers, residents and fellows play an integral role as surgical first assistants in spinal deformity surgery. However, limited data exist on whether the experience level of the surgical assistant affects outcomes.

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter, multisurgeon study comparing perioperative and postoperative outcomes after adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) surgery for the same 11 surgeons who performed cases that were assisted by residents compared with cases that were assisted by fellows. Blood loss, operative time, duration of hospitalization, complication rates, Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-22 questionnaire scores, and radiographic outcomes were compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

We evaluated outcomes for 347 surgical procedures; 118 cases were assisted by residents and 229 were assisted by fellows. Preoperative radiographic and demographic parameters were not different between the groups. The resident group had significantly more estimated blood loss than the fellow group (939 compared with 762 mL, p = 0.02). Otherwise, the perioperative characteristics were similar between the groups, including the volume of the autologous blood recovery system product that was transfused, the operative time, and the occurrence of intraoperative neuromonitoring changes. Postoperatively, the percentage correction of the Cobb angle, the number of levels that had been fused, the number of days until the discharge criteria had been met, and the rate of major complications were similar between the groups. At the 2-year follow-up, the overall and subdomain SRS-22 questionnaire scores were not different between the groups, except that patients in the resident-assisted group had slightly worse pain scores than those in the fellow-assisted group (4.3 compared with 4.5, p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The first assistant's level of training did not affect clinical or radiographic outcomes following AIS surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

See one, do one, but never teach one? An analysis of resident teaching assist cases under various levels of attending supervision

BACKGROUND

Surgical training has traditionally relied on increasing levels of resident autonomy. We sought to analyze the outcomes of senior resident teaching assist (TA) cases performed with a structured policy including varying levels of staff supervision.

METHODS

Retrospective review at a military medical center of TA cases from 2009 to 2014. The level of staff supervision included staff scrubbed (SS), staff present and not scrubbed (SP), or staff not present but available (NP). Operative variables were analyzed. An anonymous survey of residents and attendings at 6 military programs regarding experience and opinions on TA cases was distributed.

RESULTS

389 TA cases were identified. The majority (52%) were performed as NP. Operative times were shorter for NP cases (p < 0.05). Overall complication rate and length of stay were not different between groups (p > 0.05). Survey results demonstrated agreement amongst staff and residents that allowing selective NP was critical for achieving resident competence.

CONCLUSION

There were no identified adverse effects on intraoperative or postoperative complications. This practice is a critical component of training senior residents to transition to independent practice.

Put Me in the Game Coach! Resident Participation in High-risk Surgery in the Era of Big Data

BACKGROUND

With the emphasis on quality metrics guiding reimbursement, concerns have emerged regarding resident participation in patient care. This study aimed to evaluate whether resident participation in high-risk elective general surgery procedures is safe.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2005-2012) was used to identify patients undergoing one of five high-risk general surgery procedures. Resident and nonresident groups were created using a 2:1 propensity score match. Postoperative outcomes were calculated using univariate statistics and multivariable logistic regression for the two groups. Predictors of mortality and morbidity were identified using machine learning in the form of decision trees.

RESULTS

Twenty-five thousand three hundred sixty three patients met our inclusion criteria. Following matching, each group contained 500 patients and was comparable for matched characteristics. Thirty-day mortality was similar between the groups (2.4% versus 2.6%; P = 0.839). Deep surgical site infection (0% versus 1.6%; P = 0.005), urinary tract infection (5% versus 2.5%; P = 0.029), and operative time (275.6 min versus 250 min; P = 0.0064) were significantly higher with resident participation. Resident participation was not predictive of mortality or complications, while age, American society of anesthesiologists class, and functional status were leading predictors of both.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite growing time constraints and pressure to perform, surgical resident participation remains safe. Residents should be given active roles in the operating room, even in the most challenging cases.

The Presence of an Advanced Gastrointestinal (GI)/Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) Fellowship Program Does Not Impact Short-Term Patient Outcomes Following Fundoplication or Esophagomyotomy

INTRODUCTION

The current surgical landscape reflects a continual trend towards sub-specialization, evidenced by an increasing number of US surgeons who pursue fellowship training after residency. Despite this growing trend, however, the effect of advanced gastrointestinal (GI)/minimally invasive surgery (MIS) fellowship programs on patient outcomes following foregut/esophageal operations remains unclear. This study looks at two representative foregut surgeries (laparoscopic fundoplication and esophagomyotomy) performed in New York State (NYS), comparing hospitals which do and do not possess a GI/MIS fellowship program, to examine the effect of such a program on perioperative outcomes. We also aimed to identify any patient or hospital factors which might influence perioperative outcomes.

METHODS

The SPARCS database was examined for all patients who underwent a foregut procedure (specifically, either an esophagomyotomy or a laparoscopic fundoplication) between 2012 and 2014. We compared the following outcomes between institutions with and without a GI/MIS fellowship program: 30-day readmission, hospital length of stay (LOS), and development of any major complication.

RESULTS

There were 3175 foregut procedures recorded from 2012 to 2014. Just below one third (n = 1041; 32.8%) were performed in hospitals possessing a GI/MIS fellowship program. Among our entire included study population, 154 patients (4.85%) had a single 30-day readmission, with no observed difference in readmission between hospitals with and without a GI/MIS fellowship program, even after controlling for potential confounding factors (p = 0.6406 and p = 0.2511, respectively). Additionally, when controlling for potential confounders, the presence/absence of a GI/MIS fellowship program was found to have no association with risk of having a major complication (p = 0.1163) or LOS (p = 0.7562). Our study revealed that postoperative outcomes were significantly influenced by patient race and payment method. Asians and Medicare patients had the highest risk of suffering a severe complication (10.00 and 7.44%; p = 0.0311 and p = 0.0036, respectively)-with race retaining significance even after adjusting for potential confounders (p = 0.0276). Asians and uninsured patients demonstrated the highest readmission rates (15.00 and 12.50%; p = 0.0129 and p = 0.0012, respectively)-with both race and payment method retaining significance after adjustment (p = 0.0362 and p = 0.0257, respectively). Lastly, payment method was significantly associated with postoperative LOS (p < 0.0001), with Medicaid patients experiencing the longest LOS (mean 3.99 days) and those with commercial insurance experiencing the shortest (mean 1.66 days), a relationship which retained significance even after adjusting for potential confounders (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

The presence of a GI/MIS fellowship program does not impact short-term patient outcomes following laparoscopic fundoplication or esophagomyotomy (two representative foregut procedures). Presence of such a fellowship should not play a role in choosing a surgeon. Additionally, in these foregut procedures, patient race (particularly Asian race) and payment method were found to be independently associated with postoperative outcomes, including postoperative LOS.

Perioperative complications of adrenalectomy - 12 years of experience from a single center/teaching hospital and literature review

INTRODUCTION

The perioperative complication rate of adrenalectomy varies between 1.7% and 30.7% in the medical literature. This study presents outcomes of adrenalectomy in our center and tries to point out risk factors for perioperative problems.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed all patients who underwent adrenalectomy in our department from January 2004 to June 2015. Patient's sex, indication for procedure, tumor laterality, surgical approach and surgeon's case volume were taken into consideration as possible risk factors for complications.

RESULTS

There were 177 adrenalectomies performed on 170 patients. We reported 18 (10.2%) perioperative complications, 12 (6.8%) surgical and 6 (3.4%) medical. Laparotomy was a significant risk factor for medical (p < 0.01) and overall problems (p = 0.02). Operations more expansive than just adrenalectomy were associated with higher risk of medical complications (p = 0.01). Procedures performed by surgeons with higher volume were associated with smaller risk of medical complications (p < 0.01). Right and left adrenalectomies seem to be related to different kinds of risk - bleeding on the right, injury of surrounding structures on the left (p = 0.05). Patient's sex, indication for procedure, bilateral procedure and side of operation were not statistically significant risk factors for complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Adrenal glands are surrounded by various anatomic structures (colon, pancreas, spleen, diaphragm) that may be injured during adrenalectomy. Complications following a laparoscopic procedure may arise from the use of monopolar coagulation and the patient's position on the operating table. High insufflation pressure during retroperitoneoscopic procedures may cause subcutaneous emphysema.

Assessing the effort associated with teaching residents

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative resident education is an integral mission of academic medical centers and serves as the basis for training the next generation of surgeons. The actual effort associated with teaching residents is unknown as it pertains to additional operative time. Using a large validated multi-institutional dataset, this study aims to quantify the effect of having a resident present in common plastic surgery procedures on operative time. Future directions for developing standardized methods to record and report teaching time are proposed, which can help inform prospective studies.

STUDY DESIGN

The 2006-2012 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database was queried to identify seven isolated plastic surgical procedures that were categorized based on resident involvement and supervision. Linear regression models were used to calculate the difference in operative time with respect to resident participation while controlling for patient and operative factors.

RESULTS

Resident involvement was associated with longer operative times for muscle flap trunk procedures (53 min, 95% CI = [25, 80], p-value = 0.0002) and breast reconstruction procedures with a latissimus dorsi flap (55 min, 95% CI = [22, 88], p-value = 0.001). For six of the seven surgeries evaluated, resident involvement was associated with longer operative times, as compared to no resident involvement.

CONCLUSION

Resident involvement is associated with an increase in operative time for certain plastic surgery procedures. This finding underscores the need for a mechanism to quantify the time and effort that the attending surgeons allocate toward intraoperative resident education. Further study is also necessary to determine the causal impact on patient care.

Impact of Fellow Versus Resident Assistance on Outcomes Following Pancreatoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND

Participation by surgical trainees in complex procedures is key to their development as future practicing surgeons. The impact of surgical fellows versus general surgery resident assistance on outcomes in pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) has not been well studied. The purpose of this study was to determine differences in patient outcomes based on level of surgical trainee.

METHODS

Consecutive cases of PD (n = 254) were reviewed at a single high-volume institution over a 2-year period (July 2013-June 2015). Thirty-day outcomes were monitored through the American College of Surgeon's National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) and Quality In-Training Initiative. Patient outcomes were compared between PD assisted by general surgery residents versus hepatopancreatobiliary fellows.

RESULTS

The hepatopancreatobiliary surgery fellows and general surgery residents participated in 109 and 145 PDs, respectively. The incidence of each individual postoperative complication (renal, infectious, pancreatectomy-specific, and cardiopulmonary), total morbidity, mortality, and failure to rescue were the same between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient operative outcomes were the same between fellow- and resident-assisted PD. These results suggest that hepatopancreatobiliary surgery fellows and general surgery residents should be offered the same opportunities to participate in complex general surgery procedures.

Transumbilical laparoscopic appendectomy performed by residents is safe and feasible

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of single-incision transumbilical laparoscopy-assisted appendectomy performed by surgical residents and attending surgeons.

METHODS

We reviewed the clinical outcomes of 131 transumbilical laparoscopy-assisted appendectomies performed from January 2011 to June 2014. During the study period, 13 residents and 6 board-certified attending surgeons performed the procedures. For all operations performed by residents and attending surgeons, we reviewed and compared gender, age, BMI, body temperature, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein serum level, and the presence of a fecalith or abscess. Clinical outcomes including operative time, estimated blood loss, need for additional ports, conversion to open surgery, intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, and postoperative hospital stay were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The mean preoperative white blood cell count in the resident-operated group was significantly higher than in the attending-operated group (14.0 vs 10.8 ×10³ /mm³ , P = 0.007). There were no other significant differences in clinical variables between the two groups. Outcomes show that estimated blood loss was significantly higher (23.4 vs 9.8 mL, P = 0.031) and operative time tended to be longer (86.0 vs 72.0 min, P = 0.056) in the resident-operated group. No other significant differences were observed.

CONCLUSION

Transumbilical laparoscopy-assisted appendectomy performed by residents is feasible and safe. It is an acceptable as a part of routine surgical training.

Trainee participation and perioperative complications in benign hysterectomy: the effect of route of surgery

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative trainee involvement in hysterectomy is common. However, the effect of intraoperative trainee involvement on perioperative complications depending on surgical approach is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the effect of intraoperative trainee involvement on perioperative complication after vaginal, laparoscopic, and abdominal hysterectomy for benign disease.

METHODS

Patients undergoing laparoscopic, vaginal, or abdominal hysterectomy for benign disease from 2010 to 2012 were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Patients with and without trainee involvement were compared with regard to perioperative complications. Complications that occurred from the start of surgery to 30-days postoperatively were included. Perioperative complications were defined via the use of the validated Clavien-Dindo scale with ≥grade 3 complications defined as major and ≤grade 2 complications defined as minor. Major complications included myocardial infarction, pneumonia, venous thromboembolism, deep or organ space surgical-site infection, stroke, fascial dehiscence, unplanned return to the operating room, renal failure, cardiopulmonary arrest, sepsis, intubation greater than 48 hours, and death. Minor complications included urinary tract infection, blood transfusion, and superficial wound infection. To estimate the effect of trainee involvement depending on route of surgery, a stratified analysis was performed. Bivariable analysis and adjusted multivariable logistic regression were used.

RESULTS

We identified 22,499 patients, of whom 42.1% had trainee participation. Surgical approaches were vaginal (22.7%), abdominal (47.1%), and laparoscopic (30.2%). The rate of major complication was 3.2%, and minor complication was 7.2%. In bivariable analysis, trainee involvement was associated with major complications in vaginal hysterectomy (3.3% vs 2.3%, P = .03), but not laparoscopic (3.0% vs 2.9%, P = .78) or abdominal hysterectomy (4.4% vs 3.6%, P = .07). Trainee involvement was also associated with minor complication in vaginal (7.3% vs 5.4%, P = .007), laparoscopic (5.9% vs 4.3%, P < .001), and abdominal hysterectomy (14.1% vs 9.2%, P < .001). In a multivariable analysis in which we adjusted for age, body mass index, medical comorbidity, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, and surgical complexity, the association between trainee involvement in vaginal hysterectomy and major complication persisted (adjusted odds ratio 1.45, 95% confidence interval 1.03-2.04); however, when operative time was added to the model, there was no longer an association between trainee involvement and major complication (adjusted odds ratio 1.26, 95% confidence interval 0.89-1.80).

CONCLUSION

Surgical approach influences the relationship between trainee involvement and perioperative complication. Operative time is a key mediator of the relationship between trainee involvement and complication, and may be a modifiable risk factor.

Current issues in patient safety in surgery: a review

Current surgical safety guidelines and checklists are generic and are not specifically tailored to address patient issues and risk factors in surgical subspecialties. Patient safety in surgical subspecialties should be templated on general patient safety guidelines from other areas of medicine and mental health but include and develop specific processes dedicated for the care of the surgical patients. Safety redundant systems must be in place to decrease errors in surgery. Therefore, different surgical subspecialties should develop a specific curriculum in patient safety addressing training in academic centers and application of these guidelines in all practices. Clearly, redundant safety systems must be in place to decrease errors in surgery, in analogy to safety measures in other high-risk industries. Specific surgical subspecialties are encouraged to develop a specific patient safety curriculum that address training in academic centers and applicability to daily practice, with the goal of keeping our surgical patients safe in all disciplines. The present review article is designed to outline patient safety practices that should be adapted and followed to fit particular specialties.