title: Comparing results of residents and attending surgeons to determine whether laparoscopic colectomy is safe.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was undertaken to compare the technical success and outcomes of laparoscopic colectomy performed by resident surgeons (RS) and attending surgeons (AS).
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of 451 consecutive laparoscopic colectomies performed by 2 surgeons either with or without a general surgery resident. Data reviewed included demographics, diagnoses, operative data, and outcomes. Comparison was made between patients operated on by RS under attending surgeon supervision, and patients operated on by AS alone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 451 patients, 324 were operated on by RS and 127 by AS. The mean age and preoperative diagnoses were similar between groups. Operative time was significantly longer in the RS group (155 minutes vs. 128 minutes, P < .05). Blood loss was slightly higher in RS groups but was not statistically significant (191 mL vs. 174 mL, P = .31). The incidence of conversion to an open procedure, postoperative complications, and length of stay were similar between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Supervised RS can safely perform laparoscopic colectomy with results similar to AS. RS take longer to perform the procedure than AS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Abington Memorial Hospital, Abington, PA 19001, USA.
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Mehall
authors.forename: Sahir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shroff
authors.forename: Steven A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Fassler
authors.forename: Steven G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Harper
authors.forename: Joseph H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Nejman
authors.forename: D Mark
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Zebley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods*; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010414:Pennsylvania; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors