Effective operative training in hernia repair for junior surgery residents

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Operative skills are essential components of surgical education and can be acquired only through personal experience and training. Increasing financial constraints and working-time limitations bring the needed extra-time for surgical training into sharp focus. New strategies to reduce operative time without deteriorating the surgical education are needed. The aim of this study was to analyze if the use of a self-gripping mesh in open hernia repair performed by junior surgery residents can reduce operative time compared to the use of classically fixed meshes. METHODS: Sixty-five patients with open hernia repair performed by junior surgical residents (experience <10 open hernia repairs) guided by a senior surgeon were enrolled to this study. Comparing the use of a classically fixed mesh (Ultrapo™, Ethicon, Norderstedt, Germany) with a new self-gripping mesh (Parietex ProGrip™ Mesh, Covidien, Co. Dublin, Ireland) we analyzed the needed operative time. RESULT: Using the new self-gripping mesh in surgical training, the operative time and costs needed for open inguinal hernia repair decreased significantly without influencing the results. CONCLUSION: Changing one step of a specific operation using a new device in open hernia repair can reduce the operation time and costs significantly.