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The Gap in Laparoscopic Colorectal Experience Between Colon and Rectal and General Surgery Residency Training Programs

  • Original Contributions
  • Published:
Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Abstract

Purpose

In this article, we review the laparoscopic experience of general surgery and colorectal residency training programs in the United States during the past 5 and 12 years, respectively. The purpose of this study was to determine whether an adequate experience was being provided, and at what level of training, to safely and effectively perform advanced laparoscopy.

Methods

General Surgery Operative Reports from the training years 2000 to 2004 were obtained from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Similarly, colorectal operative performance logs from the training years 1994 to 2005 were obtained from the American Board of Colon and Rectal Surgery.

Results

From 2000 to 2004, basic and advanced laparoscopic cases (as designated by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education) have increased from 10.1 to 12.2 percent and 2.1 to 3.7 percent, respectively. Within this period, the number of laparoscopic colon cases/resident/career has increased from 1.8 to 4.6. The percentage of cases performed laparoscopically increased from 3.9 to 22.5 percent from 1993–1994 to 2004–2005 training years. From 1993 to 2001, the average number of laparoscopic cases/resident increased from 6.3 to 16.1. In 2004, the average number of cases/resident increased to 45.3. Of this number, 30 were colon, 9.4 were rectal, and the remaining 5.9 were miscellaneous colorectal procedures.

Conclusions

Learning curves for laparoscopic colectomy are reported in the range of 20 to 60 cases. Based on the most recent data reviewed, colon and rectal resident experience is trending toward this threshold. Recent general surgery graduates may be lacking the appropriate volume to reach proficiency in laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orlando Regional Healthcare, Orlando, Florida, USA

    Paul Charron M.D.

  2. Colon and Rectal Clinic of Orlando, 110 West Underwood Street, Orlando, Florida, 32806, USA

    Robert Campbell M.D., Samuel DeJesus M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.S.C.R.S., Joseph Gallagher M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.S.C.R.S., Paul Williamson M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.S.C.R.S. & Andrea Ferrara M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.S.C.R.S.

Authors
  1. Paul Charron M.D.
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  2. Robert Campbell M.D.
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  3. Samuel DeJesus M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.S.C.R.S.
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  4. Joseph Gallagher M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.S.C.R.S.
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  5. Paul Williamson M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.S.C.R.S.
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  6. Andrea Ferrara M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.S.C.R.S.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andrea Ferrara M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.S.C.R.S..

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Charron, P., Campbell, R., DeJesus, S. et al. The Gap in Laparoscopic Colorectal Experience Between Colon and Rectal and General Surgery Residency Training Programs. Dis Colon Rectum 50, 2023–2031 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10350-007-9059-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10350-007-9059-5

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