Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Performed by Residents: A Retrospective Study on 569 Patients

Abstract

Introduction . Aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed by residents. Materials and Methods . We retrospectively reviewed 569 elective laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Results . Duration of surgery was 84±39 min for residents versus 66±47 min for staff surgeons, P<0.001 . Rate of conversion was 3.2% for residents versus 2.7% for staff surgeons, P=0.7 . There was no difference in the rates of intraoperative and postoperative complications for residents (1.2% and 3.2%) versus staff surgeons (1.5% and 3.1%), P=0.7 and P=0.9 . Postoperative hospital stay was 3.3±1.8 days for residents versus 3.4±3.2 days for staff surgeons, P=0.6 . One death in patients operated by residents (1/246) and one in patients operated by staff surgeons (1/323) were found, P=0.8 . No difference in the time to return to normal daily activities between residents ( 11.3±4.2 days) and staff surgeons ( 10.8±5.6 days) was found, P=0.2 . Shorter duration of surgery when operating the senior residents ( 75±31 minutes) than the junior residents ( 87±27 minutes), P=0.003 . Conclusion . Laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed by residents is a safe procedure with results comparable to those of staff surgeons.