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A Cadaveric Procedural Anatomy Course Enhances Operative Competence
Author(s) -
Sharma Gaurav,
Aycart Mario A.,
Houten Trudy,
Smink Douglas S.,
Askari Reza,
Gates Jonathan D.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.567.7
Subject(s) - medicine , confidence interval , cadaver , cadaveric spasm , surgery
Background Inadequate anatomy training has been cited as a major contributor to declines in surgical resident operative competence and confidence. We report the impact of a procedurallyoriented general surgery cadaveric dissection course on trainee operative confidence and competence. Methods After obtaining IRB approval, postgraduate year 2 and 3 general surgery residents were prospectively enrolled into two cohorts: (1) an intervention group (n=7) participating in an 8week procedurally‐oriented cadaver course, and (2) controls (n=7) given access to course materials without participation in cadaver dissection. At both the beginning and end, we utilized two evaluation instruments: (1) an oral examination based on the American Board of Surgery Certifying Examination using standardized templates, and (2) a questionnaire assessing operative confidence. Results There were no intergroup differences in baseline characteristics. Residents who took the anatomy course had significantly higher improvements in examination scores on common bile duct exploration (CBDE) (33%±8% v. 10%±7%, p=0.04), femoral endarterectomy (43%±5% v. 11%±7%, p=0.003), fasciotomies (55%±10% v. 22%±9%, p=0.04), inguinal hernia repair (20%±9% v. −14%±5%, p=0.005), superior mesenteric artery (SMA) embolectomy (38%±10% v. 2%±11%, p=0.04), and overall (31%±4% v. 8%±3%, p=0.0006) ( Figure 1.) In addition, they reported higher operative confidence on CBDE (p=0.008) and SMA embolectomy (p=0.02), and a trend towards higher overall operative confidence (p=0.06.) Conclusions We demonstrate that a replicable procedurally‐oriented cadaver course covering a wide range of essential general surgery procedures resulted in significant improvements in self‐reported operative confidence and competence as assessed by oral examination modeled on the American Board of Surgery's examination required for board certification. This work highlights the critical role that partnership between anatomists and clinicians can play in enhancing graduate medical education.