Outcomes of elective gonadectomy procedures performed on dogs and cats by veterinary students and shelter veterinarians in a shelter environment

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To determine complication rates for elective gonadectomy procedures performed by veterinary students on dogs and cats in an animal shelter, characterize these complications, and compare rates with those for shelter-employed veterinarians (SEVs). DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS 10,073 dogs and cats for which gonadectomy was performed by a veterinary student (n = 3,048 surgeries) or SEV (7,025 surgeries) at an urban animal shelter over a 16-month period. PROCEDURES Electronic medical records for included dogs and cats were reviewed and data collected regarding patient signalment, duration of gonadectomy, surgeon type (student or SEV), and types of surgical complications recorded (including death or euthanasia) during the period from anesthetic induction to 72 hours after surgery. Complication and mortality rates were compared between veterinary students and SEVs. RESULTS No significant differences were identified between students and SEVs regarding rates of overall complications for both species, minor complications for both species, major complications for both species, and overall complications for dogs or cats specifically. The most common complications were self-limiting, with no long-term consequences, for both students and SEVs. Differences in mortality rates between students and SEVs could not be definitively determined owing to low numbers of nonsurviving patients. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE With judicious case selection and as a part of a surgical training program, complication rates for veterinary student–performed gonadectomy procedures for dogs and cats were no different from those for SEV-performed gonadectomy procedures. We believe such information regarding patient outcomes will allow shelter staff to make informed decisions and help them in discussions with stakeholders who may have concerns about student participation.

Impact of the Surgical Environment on the Incidence, Timing, and Severity of Complications Associated With Oromaxillofacial Oncologic Surgery in Dogs

“…This is a potential limitation of the data described in this report as the cases reported to have been performed primarily by a resident-intraining likely had differing levels of faculty supervision. There are various reports in the veterinary literature addressing the difference in surgical complications related to the experience of the clinician (31)(32)(33). These reports generally support the finding described here that the complication rate following surgical procedures is not significantly increased when performed by resident-in-training veterinarians.…”

A Qualitative Analysis of Clinical Year Veterinary Student Journal Entries for a Shelter Medicine Rotation

“…Traditionally, universities have focused their shelter medicine educational research on surgical skills gained on rotation. While there is validated benefit in these surgical experiences ( 28 , 31 , 39 ), this study indicates that there are more experiences in shelter medicine education that students find deeply fruitful which warrant further investigation. This is especially evident considering students spend roughly 1/3 of their time on the rotation performing surgery, yet it was the 19th most common mention in our journal entries.…”

“…Research has shown that experiences in shelter medicine can increase perceived self-confidence and preparedness for real-world challenges in the field post-graduation ( 31 ) and increase self-confidence in various shelter medicine themes ( 29 ). These experiences have also been shown to increase student rating of their ability to perform six shelter medicine tasks as well as ovariohysterectomy/ovariectomy (OVH/OE) and castration surgeries ( 31 ), and decreased surgery time ( 28 , 38 ) without a significant increase in complication rates ( 39 ). This finding of decreased surgery time without a significant increase in complication rates is further corroborated by studies in human medicine that have shown no difference between trainees and more-experienced surgeons in postoperative complication rates when careful patient selection and close supervision of trainees is applied ( 40 – 42 ).…”

What's the evidence? A review of current instruction and assessment in veterinary surgical education

“…33,48 Shelter medicine programs pose little risk to the animals; a recent study demonstrated that the risk of complications for cats and dogs undergoing sterilization procedures in a shelter setting was similar between student surgeons and employed veterinarians. 50 Shelter medicine programs also offer the potential for high volume experience; one program reported that fourth-year students averaged 65 sterilization surgeries over a 2-week period with a notable decrease in surgical time. 48 The shelter surgery program added an average of 9000 small animal cases annually.…”

“…Students gain valuable experience in numerous core competencies that prepare them for their career, making them better prepared to meet employer expectations 33,48 . Shelter medicine programs pose little risk to the animals; a recent study demonstrated that the risk of complications for cats and dogs undergoing sterilization procedures in a shelter setting was similar between student surgeons and employed veterinarians 50 …”