Survey of training in minimal access surgery in the West Midlands region of the UK

Abstract

Objective To assess the status of trainees in the West Midlands, UK, their minimal access surgery (MAS) operative experience, level of supervision, complications experienced, and mode of training in MAS. Design Postal survey utilizing a structured questionnaire. Setting Gynaecology units throughout the West Midlands. Subjects A total of 167 gynaecology trainees. Main outcome measures Types of complications related to level of supervision and mode of training. Results The response rate was 72% (n = 120). Only 25% of these trainees had attended a formal training course. Of the trainees, 36% and 26% had encountered laparoscopic and hysteroscopic complications, respectively, in their total experience. Bowel injury was four times more likely to have been caused by those who were unsupervised and almost three times more likely to have been caused by those who had not been on a formal training course (P < 0.005). Conclusion This study supports the strong link between supervision, appropriate training and complications in MAS and stresses the crucial role of the supervisor and the need for formal training.