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Trainee surgery in teaching hospitals: is there a cost?
L Martin1, L Delbridge, J Martin
1Department of Surgery, University of Sydney, Royal North Shore Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery
|March 1, 1989
Summary
Surgical trainees can perform thyroidectomies safely, with complication rates similar to consultants. However, trainee involvement increases operative time and hospital resource use.
Area of Science:
- Surgery
- Endocrinology
- Medical Education
Background:
- Thyroidectomy is a common surgical procedure.
- Supervised training is essential for surgical residents.
- Assessing the impact of trainee involvement on surgical outcomes is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the morbidity rates and operative outcomes of thyroidectomy performed by surgical trainees versus consultants.
- To determine if trainee involvement increases complication rates or length of hospital stay.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 2858 thyroidectomy cases performed between January 1977 and December 1986.
- Comparison of complication rates, operative times, and bed stay between consultant-led and trainee-involved procedures.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in specific complication rates (13.8% for consultants vs. 13.1% for trainees).
- Significant increase in operative time (127 minutes for consultants vs. 146 minutes for trainees, a 15% increase).
- No significant difference in bed stay duration.
Conclusions:
- Surgical trainees can be safely trained in thyroidectomy under supervision without compromising patient safety.
- Trainee involvement in thyroidectomy leads to increased operative time and resource utilization, impacting hospital efficiency.