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Trends in Gender Disparities in Surgical Experience: A National Clinical Database Study
Chie Tanaka1, Hiroyuki Yamamoto2, Sachiyo Nomura3,4
1Department of Surgery (Gastrointestinal Surgery) Nagoya University Hospital Nagoya Japan.
Annals of Gastroenterological Surgery
|January 5, 2026
Summary
Gender disparities in Japanese gastrointestinal surgery are decreasing, particularly in medium-difficulty procedures. However, significant gaps persist in high-difficulty surgeries, requiring further targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Surgical outcomes
- Health equity
Background:
- Previous research highlighted gender disparities in surgical procedures performed by male and female surgeons in Japan.
- The Japanese Society of Gastrointestinal Surgery implemented measures in 2021 to address gender inequality in the field.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze changes in surgical experience gender disparity among Japanese gastrointestinal surgeons.
- To evaluate the impact of implemented measures on gender equality in surgical procedures.
Main Methods:
- A nationwide retrospective study was conducted using the National Clinical Database.
- The number of operations per surgeon was calculated for 2015, 2019, and 2023.
- Comparisons of surgical experience were made between male and female gastrointestinal surgeons.
Main Results:
- No significant gender differences were found in low-difficulty surgeries.
- Female surgeons showed an improving trend in medium-difficulty surgeries, though disparities persist.
- Male surgeons performed more high-difficulty surgeries (e.g., low anterior resection, pancreaticoduodenectomy) than female surgeons, with this disparity remaining constant.
Conclusions:
- Initiatives by the Japanese Society of Gastrointestinal Surgery have positively impacted gender disparities in surgical case numbers.
- High-difficulty surgeries represent a key area for future interventions to achieve greater gender equity in gastrointestinal surgery.
