Resident training in colorectal laparoscopic surgery: A retrospective morbidity, mortality and survival analysis of 408 cases in our environment

Abstract

IntroductionColorectal cancer has a growing incidence in our society. However, the performance of laparoscopic interventions in this field is still not included in the National Training Program. Given the lack of references, our objective was to analyze the resident’s participation in laparoscopic colorectal surgery and its possible effect on morbidity and mortality and oncological prognosis. MethodsA retrospective longitudinal single-center study that included all laparoscopic colorectal surgical procedures performed by residents (R group) and by attending surgeons (A group) between 01/01/2009 and 12/31/2017, maintaining follow-up until 12/31/2018. Postoperative morbidity and mortality, overall survival (OS) and disease- free survival (DFS), as well as their relationship with the resident involvement as first surgeon were analyzed. Results408 patients were analyzed, of which 138 (33.8%) were operated by a supervised resident and 270 (66.2%) by the attending surgeon. No differences were detected in the rate of postoperative complications between both groups (OR: 1.536; 95% CI: 0.947–2.409; p = 0.081). Furthermore, resident participation had no influence on tumor recurrence rate (R Group: 14.2% vs. A Group: 16.9%; p = 0.588) or on overall (p = 0.562) or disease-free survival (p = 0.305). ConclusionResident involvement in laparoscopic colorectal surgery had no influence on morbidity and mortality or oncological prognosis in our center. Conducting prospective studies in this regard will provide greater knowledge, enabling a progressive improvement of the training program.