How does the number of training years in pediatric surgery affect appendectomy outcomes?
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov shows its articles on its own site.
Read the article on pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗Article · Jul 2023 · 1 min read
In brief
In brief
Retrospective analysis of 1,257 appendectomies performed by pediatric surgery trainees across five training years demonstrates that the procedure is safe from year one regardless of technique. While operative time decreases and laparoscopic approach increases with training progression, complication rates remain consistent across all experience levels.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Introduction: Appendectomy has traditionally been considered as a training operation for junior pediatric surgeons during their training period. However, with the increase of laparoscopic appendectomy, there has been a growing concern about the performance of this procedure by junior trainees. Our aim is to analyze intra-/postoperative appendectomy outcomes according to the number of training years during Pediatric Surgical residency training program.
Methods: A retrospective study was performed in patients who underwent appendectomy between 2018 and 2021 in our institution, who were divided into 5 groups according to the number of training years of the junior surgeon who performed the intervention (Y1-Y5). Demographics, complicated appendicitis rate, operation time, and postoperative complications were compared. A stratified analysis according to the technique performed (open/laparoscopic) was performed.
Results: A total of 1274 appendectomized patients were analyzed, of which 1257 (98.7%) were operated on by junior trainees (81 in Y1; 407 in Y2; 337 in Y3; 261 in Y4; and 171 in Y5) without demographic differences between groups. As the year of training increased, an elevation in complicated appendicitis rate was observed, although without statistically significant differences. However, laparoscopic/open appendectomies ratio increased with increasing year of training (p < 0.001). Operative time decreased significantly with increasing year of training (p < 0.001), both in open and laparoscopic appendectomies. There were no significant differences in postoperative complications, nor in the stratified analysis according to surgical technique.
Conclusion: Appendectomy performed by junior pediatric surgery trainees can be considered a safe procedure from the first year of training, regardless of the technique used.
DOI: 10.1007/s00383-023-05453-7