title: Have endovascular procedures negatively impacted general surgery training?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Technological advances in vascular surgery have changed the field dramatically over the past 10 years. Herein, we evaluate the impact of endovascular procedures on general surgery training.
  
  
  METHODS
  National operative data from the Residency Review Committee for Surgery were examined from 1997 through 2006. Total major vascular operations, traditional open vascular operations and endovascular procedures were evaluated for mean number of cases per graduating chief general surgery resident (GSR) and vascular surgery fellow (VSF).
  
  
  RESULTS
  As endovascular surgical therapies became widespread, GSR vascular case volume decreased 34% over 10 years, but VSF total cases increased 78%. GSR experience in open vascular operations decreased significantly, as evidenced by a 52% decrease (P < 0.0001) in elective open AAA repair. VSFs have also seen significant decreases in open vascular procedures. Experience in endovascular procedures has increased for both general surgery and vascular residents, but the increase has been much larger in absolute number for VSFs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GSR experience in open vascular procedures has significantly decreased as technology has advanced within the field. Unlike VSFs, this loss has not been replaced by direct experience with endovascular training. These data demonstrate the impact technology can have on how we currently train general surgeons. New educational paradigms may be necessary in which either vascular surgery as an essential component is abandoned or training in catheter-based interventions becomes required.
authors: Departments of Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
authors: Daniel J
authors: DJ
authors: Grabo
authors: Paul J
authors: PJ
authors: DiMuzio
authors: John C
authors: JC
authors: Kairys
authors: Stephen E
authors: SE
authors: McIlhenny
authors: Albert G
authors: AG
authors: Crawford
authors: Charles J
authors: CJ
authors: Yeo
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D013043:Specialties, Surgical / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education*
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