title: Prospective Analysis of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomies Based on Postgraduate Resident Level.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few studies have attempted to ascertain the safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC) based on resident postgraduate year. We hypothesize that there is no difference in complications based on resident level in LC.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively gathered data from 200 LC. Residents were classified as surgeon chief (SC), surgeon junior (SJ), or teaching assistant (TA/SJ). Outcomes included surgical complications and operative time based on resident level or ambulatory status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average operating time was 65.17, 69.38, and 63.91 minutes for SC, SJ, and TA/SJ, respectively. Average operative time in the elective group was 62 versus 70.67 minutes in the emergent group (P=0.037). Five, 2, and 6 major complications occurred in the TA/SJ, and SC groups, respectively, (P=0.937). Major complications occurred in 9 of 97 emergent and 4 of 70 elective cases (P=0.396).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With respect to time and morbidity in LC, we found all level of residents to be safe.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center, St Paterson, NJ.
authors.forename: Sahil P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Parikh
authors.forename: Emily C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Szczech
authors.forename: Roberto C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moskowitz
authors.forename: Jamshed
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zuberi
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sori
authors.forename: Osama
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Elsawy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D005705:Gallbladder Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D061646:Operative Time; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome