An Objective Assessment of the Surgical Trainee in an Urban Trauma Unit in South Africa: A Pilot Study

Spence, Richard T.; Zargaran, Eiman; Hameed, Morad; Nicol, Andrew; Navsaria, Pradeep

doi:10.1007/s00268-016-3503-4

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…In addition, there needs to be some modelling to take account of individual trainee experience and skill as this will also undoubtedly impact on outcome. 15 Further work must focus on the use of preoperative scores designed to identify these high risk patients preoperatively and to ensure that there is specialist involvement early in the operative management of these patients.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is direct consultant supervision of all trauma laparotomies necessary?

Weale¹,

Kong

Blodgett

et al. 2018

S. Afr. j. surg.

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Introduction: This study examines the nature of trauma laparotomies performed primarily by trainees and those performed under the direct supervision of a consultant. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was undertaken at the Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service (PMTS), South Africa. All patients who underwent a trauma laparotomy were included. Admission physiology, organ injury and outcome were assessed. Statistical comparison using STATA was performed. Chi-squared analysis was used for categorical variables and unpaired T-test for physiology. Results: A total of 562 patients for trauma laparotomy were identified. Ninety percent (506/562) were male and the mean age was 30 years. The in hospital mortality was 7% (40/562). A consultant was present at 35% of cases (197/562). Consultantlead operations were found to have a higher rate of mortality 16% vs 2% (32/197 vs 8/365: p < 0.001) and ICU 45% vs 25% (89/197 vs 91/365: p < 0.001) than trainee only. Significant differences in many parameters of admission physiology were identified. Consultant-lead procedures had a higher lactate (3.7 vs 2.9: p 0.0043), respiratory rate (RR) (22 vs 20: p 0.0005), heart rate (HR) (102 vs 96: p 0.0035) and a lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) (115 vs 122: p 0.0001) diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (69 vs 73: p 0.0350) pH (7.34 vs 7.36: p 0.0216) base excess (BE, mEq/L) (-4.1 vs-2.5: p 0.0036) and bicarbonate (HCO 3 , mEq/L) (21.3 vs 22.5: p 0.0043) than trainee only procedures. Consultants were more likely to be called in for a gunshot than a stab wound (p < 0.001). Of the solid organ injuries, consultants are more likely to be called in for cases with liver injury 23% vs 16% (45/197 vs 58/365: p 0.005) and pancreatic injury 15% vs 3% (30/197 vs 11/365: p < 0.001). Conclusion: Trainees can safely undertake a subset of trauma laparotomies. However, patients with deranged physiology and complex hepatobiliary injuries should be operated on directly by a consultant.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%