Educational system for acquiring appropriate laparoscopic colorectal surgical skills: analysis in a Japanese high-volume cancer center.

BACKGROUND

Acquiring appropriate laparoscopic technique is necessary to safely perform laparoscopic surgery. The Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System of the Japanese Society of Endoscopic Surgery, which was established to improve the quality of laparoscopic surgery in Japan, provides training to become an expert laparoscopic surgeon. In this study, we describe our educational system, in a Japanese highest volume cancer center, and evaluate the system according to the pass rate for the Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System examination.

METHODS

We assessed 14 residents who trained for more than 2 years from 2012 to 2018 in our department. All teaching surgeons, qualified by the Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System, participated in all surgeries as supervisors. For the first 3 months, trainees learned as the scopist, then as the first assistant for 3 months, and then by performing laparoscopic surgery as an operator during ileocecal resection or sigmoidectomy. Trainees apply for this training in their second year of residency or later. All laparoscopic procedures in our department are standardized in detail.

RESULTS

The cumulative pass rate was 75% (12/16), and 87% (12/14) of the trainees eventually passed, while the general pass rate was approximately 30%. On average, those who passed in their second or third year had experienced 94 procedures as the surgeon, 177 as the first assistant, and 199 as the scopist. The number of laparoscopic procedures and the learning curves did not differ between successful and failed applicants.

CONCLUSIONS

Through our educational system, residents successfully acquired laparoscopic skills with a much higher pass rate in the Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System examination than the general standard. Laparoscopic practice under supervision by experienced surgeons with standardized procedures and accurate understanding of the relevant anatomy is very helpful to achieving appropriate laparoscopic technique.