Qualitative impact of the endovascular era on vascular surgeons' comfort level and enjoyment with open and endovascular AAA repairs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the qualitative impact of training in the endovascular era (post-2000) on vascular surgeons' comfort level and enjoyment with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repairs.


METHODS
A sample of vascular surgeons (n = 1754) were sent a survey pertaining to their fellowship training and practice of AAA repair. The influence of training- and practice-related variables on qualitative outcomes was assessed.


RESULTS
A total of 382 (22%) surgeons completed the survey. Surgeons who performed more endovascular aneurysm repairs (EVARs) than open AAA repairs were more likely to enjoy EVAR (P < .001). Those completing fellowship after 2000 reported a higher level of procedure-related comfort with EVAR (P = .001) compared to those completing fellowship before 2000. Conversely, surgeons completing fellowship before 2000 reported a higher level of procedure-related comfort with open AAA repair (P = .001).


CONCLUSIONS
The advent of EVAR has changed fellowship training of AAA repair and has translated into changes in both practice patterns and comfort level.
Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Brant W
BW
Ullery
Derek P
DP
Nathan
Benjamin M
BM
Jackson
Grace J
GJ
Wang
Ronald M
RM
Fairman
Edward Y
EY
Woo
D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000193:education*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000193:education*; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome