Laparoscopy-to-laparotomy quotient in obstetrics and gynecology residency programs

Abstract

Laparoscopic skills are indispensable to the practice of present-day gynecologists. Hence, we investigated the share of minimal invasive surgery in the training of obstetricians and gynecologists. Information on resident experience from 197 obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) residency programs was obtained from the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Over a period of 4 years, an OBGYN resident performs--as surgeon or assistant--on average 190 abdominal procedures including 111 abdominal hysterectomies as well as 53 vaginal hysterectomies and 95 operative laparoscopic procedures with or without hysterectomy. The average laparoscopy-tolaparotomy quotient (LPQ) is 0.54, and the average vaginal-to-abdominal hysterectomy quotient (VAQ) is 0.50. More attention to minimal invasive surgery is needed in OBGYN residency programs.