The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of resident involvement on surgical outcomes in laparoscopic compared to open procedures.

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program 2007–2012 was queried for open and laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (VHR), inguinal hernia repair (IHR), splenectomy, colectomy, or cholecystectomy (CCY). Multivariable regression analyses were performed to assess the impact of resident involvement on surgical outcomes.

In total, 88,337 VHR, 20,586 IHR, 59,254 colectomies, 3301 splenectomies, and 95,900 CCY were identified. Resident involvement was predictive for major complication during open VHR (AOR, 1.29; p < 0.001), but not during any other procedure. Resident participation significantly prolonged operative time for open, as well as laparoscopic VHR, IHR, colectomy, splenectomy, and CCY (all p < 0.01).

The results of this study suggest that resident participation has a similar impact on surgical outcomes during laparoscopic and open surgery, and is generally safe.

Resident teaching during laparoscopic surgery is prone to unique challenges, as the attending has less control over the procedure when the resident is in the surgeons’ operative position. The results of this study suggest that resident participation has a similar impact on surgical outcomes during laparoscopic and open surgery, and is generally safe. However, resident participation during open, as well as laparoscopic procedures significantly prolongs operative time and thereby cost.