The Impact of Laparoscopy on the Volume of Open Cases in General Surgery Training

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of laparoscopy on the volume of open cases in general surgery residency training over the past 10 years.DesignThe Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) database (1999-2008), which records all cases (by Current Procedural Terminology code) performed by graduating general surgery trainees, was retrospectively analyzed.SettingACGME database (1999-2008).Main Outcome MeasuresTrends were compared regarding the average number of the most common laparoscopic and open procedures (colectomy, hernia, and appendectomy) performed by graduating general surgery trainees during the reporting period.ResultsAcross all procedures, an increase was noted in laparoscopic approaches with a reciprocal decrease in open cases. The number of open appendectomies decreased by 29% (30.7 to 21.7), whereas the number of laparoscopic appendectomies increased by 278% (8.5 to 32.1). Similarly, open inguinal hernia cases decreased by 12.5% (51.9 to 45.4) and open colectomy cases decreased by 10.4% (48 to 43). Conversely, laparoscopic hernia repair and laparoscopic colectomy increased by 87.5% (7.6 to 15.8) and 550% (2 to 13), respectively.ConclusionsIn addition to the limitations placed on residency training by other factors (including work hour restrictions), changing practice patterns within the field of general surgery have a significant impact on the exposure of residents to open surgery cases. This trend might have far-reaching implications with regard to the overall competency of graduating residents and raises concerns for the future direction of surgical education.