title: Declining Operative Experience for Junior-Level Residents: Is This an Unintended Consequence of Minimally Invasive Surgery?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Our group has previously demonstrated an upward shift from junior to senior resident participation in common general surgery operations, traditionally performed by junior-level residents. The objective of this study was to evaluate if this trend would correct over time. We hypothesized that junior resident case volume would improve.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of essential laparoscopic and open general surgery procedures (appendectomy, inguinal herniorrhaphy, cholecystectomy, and partial colectomy) was chosen for analysis. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant Use Files were queried for these procedures between 2005 and 2012. Cases were stratified by participating resident post-graduate year with "junior resident" defined as post-graduate year1-3. Logistic regression was performed to determine change in junior resident participation for each type of procedure over time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 185,335 cases were included in the study. For 3 of the operations we considered, the prevalence of laparoscopic surgery increased from 2005-2012 (all p < 0.001). Cholecystectomy was an exception, which showed an unchanged proportion of cases performed laparoscopically across the study period (p = 0.119). Junior resident participation decreased by 4.5%/y (p < 0.001) for laparoscopic procedures and by 6.2%/y (p < 0.001) for open procedures. The proportion of laparoscopic surgeries performed by junior-level residents decreased for appendectomy by 2.6%/y (p < 0.001) and cholecystectomy by 6.1%/y (p < 0.001), whereas it was unchanged for inguinal herniorrhaphy (p = 0.75) and increased for partial colectomy by 3.9%/y (p = 0.003). A decline in junior resident participation was seen for all open surgeries, with appendectomy decreasing by 9.4%/y (p < 0.001), cholecystectomy by 4.1%/y (p < 0.002), inguinal herniorrhaphy by 10%/y (p < 0.001) and partial colectomy by 2.9%/y (p < 0.004).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Along with the proliferation of laparoscopy for common general surgical procedures there has been a concomitant reduction in the participation of junior-level residents. As previously thought, familiarity with laparoscopy has not translated to redistribution of basic operations from senior to junior residents. This trend has significant implications for general surgery resident education.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.
authors.forename: Matthew G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Mullen
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.
authors.forename: Elise P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Salerno
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.
authors.forename: Alex D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Michaels
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.
authors.forename: Traci L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Hedrick
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, Health System Old Medical School, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.
authors.forename: Min-Woong
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Sohn
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.
authors.forename: Philip W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.
authors.forename: Bruce D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Schirmer
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia. Electronic address: cmf2x@virginia.edu.
authors.forename: Charles M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Friel
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States
keywords: Medical Knowledge; Patient Care; Practice-Based Learning and Improvement; education; junior resident; laparoscopy; operative volume; residency training; surgery; surgical residency