Laparoscopic Colorectal Training Gap in Colorectal and Surgical Residents

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Colorectal Surgery Training

Background:

• Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is a safe and beneficial procedure.
• Surgical proficiency is linked to case volume.
• Current training paradigms for residents require examination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate laparoscopic colorectal surgery training for general surgery and colon and rectal surgery residents.
• To determine if residents are meeting case volume requirements for proficiency.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) operative statistics.
• Review of American Board of Colorectal Surgeons (ABCRS) operative data.
• Comparison of case volumes between graduating general surgery and colon and rectal surgery residents.

Main Results:

• General surgery residents performed an average of 21.6 laparoscopic colorectal operations.
• Colon and rectal surgery residents performed an average of 81.9 laparoscopic colorectal operations in 2014.
• A significant disparity in case volume exists between the two residency programs.

Conclusions:

• A notable gap in laparoscopic colorectal surgery training exists between general surgery and colon and rectal surgery residencies.
• General surgery residents do not achieve the necessary case volume for proficiency.
• This discrepancy highlights a structural issue in surgical residency training.