Trends in Reported Resident Surgical Experience in Hysterectomy

Abstract

Study ObjectiveTo compare differences in trends in reported surgical experience of residents in obstetrics and gynecology in the United States insofar as abdominal, vaginal, and laparoscopic hysterectomy. DesignRetrospective analysis of the national case log reports from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) for obstetrics and gynecology cases logged as “surgeon” from 2002 to 2012 (Canadian Task Force classification III). SettingAGCME-accredited residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology. ParticipantsEleven thousand five hundred and eight graduating residents in obstetrics and gynecology (n = 11 508). Measurements and Main ResultsSince 2008, when the ACGME began reporting the 4-year cumulative hysterectomy case load statistics for graduating residents in obstetrics and gynecology, there has been no significant change in the mean (SD) number of hysterectomies performed by residents from 118.1 (38.0) cases in 2008–2009 to 116.1 (31.0) cases in 2011–2012 (p = .16; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.78 to 4.78). During the past decade, however, the total number of reported abdominal hysterectomies consistently decreased from 89.1 (34.2) cases in 2002–2003 to 59.1 (21.0) cases in 2011–2012 (28% decrease; p <.001; 95% CI, 27.7–32.3). The number of vaginal hysterectomies also trended down from 34.9 (19.2) cases to 19.4 (9.0) cases (40% decrease; p <.001; 95% CI, 14.3–16.7). The ACGME did not report the number of laparoscopic hysterectomies performed by residents until 2008–2009, when residents reported performing 23.4 (17.0) cases. From 2008 to 2012, this number increased to 38.5 (20.0) cases (72% increase; p <.001; 95% CI, 13.6–16.6). The proportion of reported laparoscopic hysterectomies performed with robotic assistance was not separately reported. ConclusionsAlthough the overall number of hysterectomies reported by residents has remained stable since 2008, the predominant modes of hysterectomy during the past decade have changed substantially, with laparoscopic hysterectomy comprising an increasingly large proportion of resident experience. As laparoscopic hysterectomy has become more common, reported cases of abdominal and vaginal hysterectomies have decreased. Additional statistics on the percentage of laparoscopic hysterectomies performed using robotic assistance would be valuable to additionally analyze the effect of this new technology on resident training.