Initial impact of a dedicated postgraduate laparoscopic mini-residency on clinical practice patterns

Background and Purpose: Laparoscopic surgical techniques are difficult to master, especially for surgeons who did not receive this type of training during their residencies. We have established a 5-day mentor-preceptor-proctor-guided postgraduate "mini-residency" (M-R) experience in minimally invasive surgery. The initial results from the first 16 participants in the laparoscopic M-R modules are presented. Participants and Methods: On the first and the last day of the M-R, all participants underwent surgical skills testing using an open-surgery, standard laparoscopic, and robot-assisted laparoscopic format. A written examination was also administered on the last day. The influence of M-R on the participants' practice pattern was then assessed by a follow-up questionnaire survey 1 to 7 months after their attendance. Results: Data from the first 16 participants were analyzed. Of note, the score was significantly improved for only one of the four tested laparoscopic skills (i.e., threading a suture through loops). Nonetheless, on the follow-up survey, of the 15 respondents, two laparoscopically naive participants had performed laparoscopic nephrectomy, and of the eight participants who had prior renal-ablative laparoscopic experience, four had performed advanced reconstructive laparoscopic cases. Conclusions: A 5-day dedicated postgraduate M-R in laparoscopy appears to be helpful for urologists wishing to incorporate this surgical approach into their practices. The "take rate" among participants is initially at the 40% level, similar to what has been previously reported after a I to 2-day hands-on didactic laparoscopy course.