Survey Results Following the Establishment of Educational Program in Multi-Organ Procurement with Simulation Using Large Animals

Abstract

Introduction To maximize the organ utility, multi-organ retrieval of five organs including the heart, lung, liver, pancreas, and kidney, has become routine in most cases of organ procurement in Japan. Multi-organ procurement however is not an easy procedure, which requires special technique and training. Therefore, the educational program for multi-organ procurement for young transplant surgeons has been established since 2014. We report the survey results over the last 3 years. Materials and Methods From 2014 to 2016, 305 young surgeons participated in the one-day training program for organ procurement of five organs; the heart, lung, liver, pancreas, and kidney. This annual program is consisted of lectures and examination in the morning and on-site or video demonstration of multi-organ procurement and simulation by trainees using pigs in the afternoon. Survey was conducted after completion of the program. Seventy-nine of 99 trainees (80%) in 2014 (G1), 104 of 105 (99%) in 2015 (G2), and 102 of 102 (100%) in 2016 G3) responded to the survey. Results of survey for 3 years as well as the comparison among 3 years with chi-square analysis in regard with each question were reported. Results Survey showed that 56% of trainees was between 5 to 15 years after graduation. Ninety seven percent were male. The trainees were divided into 20% for heart, 21% for lung, 37% for liver, and 23% for pancreas. Eighty two percent attended first time, and 58% experienced an operator. Ninety seven percent thought that the program was useful, 88% obtained confidence for operation, and 94% learned cooperation with other teams. Although 77% in G1 thought duration for the simulation of operation was too short. this complaint decreased to 24% in G2 and 13% in G3 after making duration of the simulation longer (P=0.0001). At the same time, although 48% in G1 thought that extent of the operating room was too smal, the complaint decreased to 8% in G2, 5% in G3 (p=0.0001) after making the program into twice in a year. Ninety nine percent thought that this educational program was meaningful and should be continued at least once or twice a year (89%). Conclusion The novel educational program for multi-organ procurement from deceased donor was established in Japan, which seems to contribute to bring up young surgeons to perform the exact performance in multi-organ procurement.