Assessing the safety and learning curve of a neurosurgical trainee in performing a microvascular decompression (MVD)

Purpose: MVD is complex procedure when done safely can be effective in managing Trigeminal Neuralgia. Here we assess the safety and learning curve of a surgical trainee in performing a MVD. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who have undergone MVD by the trainee (07/2014-07/2017) and by the senior neurosurgeon (03/2011-04/2015). Data such as surgery time, length of stay, outcomes and complications were collected. Results: Out of the 18 cases of MVD were performed by the trainee, 10 were supervisor trainer unscrubbed (STU) or performed (P) and 8 were supervisor trainer scrubbed (STS). Mean surgical time was 2:30 hrs and mean length of stay was 6.33 days. The mean outcome score was 2.33/3 with 89% cases a positive outcome. The complication rate was 16.7%, of which one had meningitis, one had CSF leak and one developed a pseudomeningocele. The trainee's surgery time, outcomes and complication rates were comparable to trainer and the literature. There was a statistically significant correlation between number MVD performed and operative time (R = -0.50, p < .05), intervals between MVDs and complication rates (R = 0.64, p < .05), and interval between MVDs and outcome scores (R = -0.66, p < .05). We estimate the time between cases should be below 40 days. Conclusions: Training a trainee is safe and does not add much burden to the hospital. A trainee will benefit the most if they have the same supervisor at least for the first eight cases and that each case should be done within 40 days of each other.