Patients are just as safe when a surgeon-in-training takes part in an operation, according to a study conducted by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and published in the Annals of Surgery.
The study examined data on more than 60,000 surgeries performed in the United States between 2005 and 2007. Researchers found that when residents were involved, under 6 percent of patients had major complications such as severe bleeding or serious post-surgery infection. The rate was the same for surgeries where a resident was not involved.
"This shows that resident participation [in surgery] is safe," said Ravi Kiran, MD, the lead researcher on the study and a colorectal surgeon at Cleveland Clinic.
The odds of minor complications, specifically skin infection at the surgery site, were slightly higher with resident involvement. On average, procedures with residents took a little longer — 122 minutes versus 97 minutes. Dr. Kiran noted that longer surgery times tend to be associated with a higher risk of skin infection, according to other studies.
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The study examined data on more than 60,000 surgeries performed in the United States between 2005 and 2007. Researchers found that when residents were involved, under 6 percent of patients had major complications such as severe bleeding or serious post-surgery infection. The rate was the same for surgeries where a resident was not involved.
"This shows that resident participation [in surgery] is safe," said Ravi Kiran, MD, the lead researcher on the study and a colorectal surgeon at Cleveland Clinic.
The odds of minor complications, specifically skin infection at the surgery site, were slightly higher with resident involvement. On average, procedures with residents took a little longer — 122 minutes versus 97 minutes. Dr. Kiran noted that longer surgery times tend to be associated with a higher risk of skin infection, according to other studies.
Related Articles on Surgical Quality:
Patient Safety Tool: Adverse Event Disclosure Guide
The Case Against Home Laundered Scrubs
FDA Approves 2012-2013 Influenza Vaccine
