Dennis L. Fowler. M.D. and Nancy J. Hogle, B.S.N. Department of Surgery, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pa.

There is little documentation of the efficacy of training programs in laparoscopic surgery. To document the effect of our laparoscopic training curriculum for general surgery residents, we evaluated the knowledge and technical skills of general surgery residents before and after participating in the curriculum.

12 general surgery residents (4 each PGY1, PGY2, PGY3) were given a written test and a skills assessment at the beginning and end of the academic year. The written tests consisted of 15 true-false questions specifically designed for each level. The same skills assessment was used for all levels and consisted of 7 timed laparoscopic techniques. The results of the tests and skills assessment at the beginning of the year were compared to the results at the end of the year and analyzed for statistically significant differences using a paired samples t-test by post graduate year.

The mean of the skills assessment scores for all 12 residents was significantly better at the end of the year (697 vs. 1098, p<.001). The mean of the test scores of all 12 residents was better at the end of the year (11 vs. 11.67, p<.12O), but not statistically significantly so. The skills scores increased more in PGY1 (310 to 988, p<.026) and PGY2 (904 to 1357 p<.001) than in PGY3 (876 to 950, p<.350).

Implementation of a laparoscopic training curriculum results in significantly improved scores on timed skills assessment tasks. Written test scores improved after the curriculum, but not significantly. PGYI and PGY2 residents demonstrated more improvement in the skills assessment than PGY3 residents.



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