The impact of laparoendoscopic surgery on the training of surgical residents

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is an accepted part of the training of surgical residents at present. Further procedures performed by residents include laparoscopic appendectomy, herniorrhaphy and others. This report analyzes the first 22 months of operative laparoscopy in Bakes Surgical Hospital and the impact on the training of residents. From September 1993 through May 1995 four residents performed 179 laparoscopic operations. Their operative experience has been shifted especially towards laparoscopic cholecystectomy but education in open cholecystectomy and open biliary tract procedures has not been jeopardized. It may be concluded that surgical residents can master essential laparoscopic operations without additional complications in a manner standard for training of other procedures.