Trainee surgery in teaching hospitals: is there a cost?

The morbidity rate for 2858 patients undergoing thyroidectomy over the 10 year period January 1977-December 1986 was examined and related to the involvement of a surgical trainee in the operative procedure. There was no overall difference in specific complication rates related to the surgical procedure, being 13.8% when the procedure was undertaken by a consultant, and 13.1% when a surgical trainee was involved in the procedure. There was a significant increase (P = 0.0025) in operative time increasing from 127 min for the consultant to 146 min when the trainee was involved (a 15% increase). There was no significant difference in bed stay for any of the groups. Surgical trainees can be safely taught operative skills under supervision without risk of increased complications. There is a cost, however, to the hospital system in terms of increased demands on time and operative facilities.