Identifying the need for and content of an advanced laparoscopic skills curriculum: results of a national survey

BackgroundA recent survey of fellowship directors suggested significant deficits in the technical laparoscopic skills of graduated general surgery residents. Our aim was to define the need for and possible content of a simulation-based curriculum in advanced laparoscopic skills (ALS).MethodsAn anonymous online survey was distributed to all Fellowship Council program directors (PDs), current fellows, and recent fellowship graduates. The survey was designed to assess the perceived need for, possible content of, and implementation challenges to an ALS curriculum. Recently developed simulation-based advanced laparoscopic tasks included off-angle camera work and restricted space suturing. Images and descriptions of these tasks were evaluated by respondents, and suggestions for modifications or improvements solicited via free text response.ResultsOf 186 respondents (response rate: 64%), 40% were current fellows, 22% were fellowship graduates, and 37% were PDs. Respondents primarily self-identified as minimally invasive and/or bariatric surgeons (78%) and hepatobiliary surgeons (12%). Most respondents (73%) identified a need for an ALS curriculum. All 3 respondent groups cited laparoscopic needle positioning and suturing (78%) and bimanual coordination during dissection and retraction (72%) as the skills in most need of improvement. In addition, most of the responding PDs identified “lack of familiarity with anatomy and procedure” (74% of PDs) and “lack of proficiency at laparoscopic bowel anastomosis” (59% of PDs) as problem areas. Respondents felt that successful implementation of an ALS curriculum depended on both overall feasibility and the ability for repeated practice and should not be dependent on cost. Thematic analysis of free responses revealed the following priorities for possible ALS skills and tasks: (1) difficult dissections and exposures, (2) forehand and/or backhand and suturing under tension, (3) nondominant hand drills, (4) working with an off-set camera, and (5) suturing and handling fragile tissue with properties similar to peritoneum or bowel.ConclusionsWe present survey results identifying several specific ALS set deficits among graduating general surgery residents, including advanced suturing, bimanual coordination, and managing difficult anatomy. Next, the results of this needs assessment will be used to develop an advanced laparoscopic curriculum for residents entering minimally invasive surgery fellowships and careers.