Key result
Colorectal surgeon experience of less than 5 years was not associated with a significant difference in 30-day complications (30.5% vs 35.1%) compared to greater than 5 years of experience.
Why the study?
Does surgeon experience (less than vs greater than 5 years) affect short-term patient outcomes in patients undergoing colorectal surgery?
Cohort (n=300)
Does surgeon experience (less than vs greater than 5 years) affect short-term patient outcomes in patients undergoing colorectal surgery?
Surgeon experience (less than vs greater than 5 years) does not significantly impact short-term patient outcomes after colorectal surgery.
Early-career colorectal surgeons show comparable short-term outcomes; leaves open optimal training thresholds and long-term effects.
Previous papers studying the effect of surgeon experience on patient outcomes after colorectal surgery are hampered by study design, variable measurements of outcome, and have shown conflicting results. The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program is a validated, risk-adjusted, outcomes-based program used to measure the quality of surgical care. Here, we sought to determine the association between colorectal surgeon experience and short-term patient outcomes using a colorectal surgery-specific National Surgical Quality Improvement Program methodology. We prospectively followed 300 patients operated on by eight colorectal surgeons. The median age was 46 years, male:female ratio was 163:137, and median body mass index was 23. Surgeons were divided into two groups: those with less (Group A) than or greater (Group B) than 5 years experience. Procedures were categorized into 137 (46%) major and 163 (54%) minor cases. Group A surgeons operated on 95 (32%) patients and Group B surgeons operated on 205 (68%) patients. Postoperatively, 101 (31%) patients had complications (Group A = 29; Group B = 72). Four (1%) patients had reoperations (Group A = 0; Group B = 4) and 24 (8%) were readmitted (Group A = 5; Group B = 19) within 30 days of surgery. This prospective study revealed no significant difference in short-term outcomes between colorectal surgeons with less than versus more than 5 years experience.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Ourian et al. (2010) conducted a cohort in Colorectal surgery (n=300). Surgeon experience < 5 years vs. Surgeon experience > 5 years was evaluated on 30-day complications. Colorectal surgeon experience of less than 5 years was not associated with a significant difference in 30-day complications (30.5% vs 35.1%) compared to greater than 5 years of experience.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: