Surgical Case Volume in Canadian Urology Residency: A Comparison of Trends in Open and Minimally Invasive Surgical Experience

Abstract

MIS constitutes an increasingly significant component of surgical volume in Canadian urology residencies with a reciprocal decrease in exposure to open surgery. These trends necessitate ongoing evaluation to maintain the integrity of postgraduate urologic training.

Organ procurement surgery as a means of increasing open surgical experience during urology residency

“…Of particular interest, many urology index cases (donor, radical, and simple nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy, radical prostatectomy, radical cystectomy, adrenalectomy, pyeloplasty, and nephroureterectomy) have substantive overlap with procurement surgeries. 1,2 This could fill the developing void of open surgical experience in many of the cases increasingly being performed with MIS techniques. There are several limitations to our study.…”

“…1 With the wide acceptance of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and the introduction of more conservative treatment options that had in the past required open surgery, the proportion of open surgical cases during Canadian urologic residency has declined. 2 The steady drop in open surgical volume raises concerns about the proficiency among graduating urology residents, yet the effect remains unknown. 3 MIS techniques have supplanted the open approach for many urologic procedures, including nephrectomy.…”

The Changing Scenario of Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Training

“…Changing trends in procedural distribution and volume have been investigated in other residencies, such as urology; general surgery, including general surgery residents' experience in operative trauma; pediatric surgery; and open abdominal procedures. [2][3][4][5][6] We are not aware of any studies that have investigated the longitudinal changes in obstetric procedures performed by ob-gyn residents. Several factors may affect the procedural volume of residents.…”

Male Urethral, Penile, and Incontinence Surgery: Is Resident Exposure Adequate?

“…In fact, an increasing focus has been placed upon examining current residency training regimens and case volumes in urology programs. 13 Substitutes have been proposed, including extending residencies or alternative sources of training, including fellowships (e.g., Society of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons, Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine, & Urogenital Reconstruction) and residency rotations on transplantation surgical services. [14][15] …”