Animal surgery: an adjunct to training in obstetrics and gynecology.

A resident in obstetrics and gynecology obtains adequate experience in basic gynecologic surgery during a 3-year training program, but the technical skill acquired in surgery of the bowel, bladder, ureters, and pelvic vessels is limited by the clinical material available. A program is described in which 3 animal models (dog, rabbit, cat) were used to expand the surgical skills of gynecology residents. The increased surgical competence and professional stimulation provided the residents by this program are shown to be both cost- and time-effective.