The presence of residents during orthopedic operation exerts no negative influence on outcome

Abstract

Background: Operative procedural training is a key component of orthopedic surgery residency. It is unclear how and whether residents participation in orthopedic surgical procedures impacts on post-operative outcomes.

Sources of data: A systematic search was performed to identify articles in which the presence of a resident in the operating room was certified, and was compared with interventions without the presence of residents.

Areas of agreement: There is a likely beneficial role of residents in the operating room, and there is only a weak association between the presence of a resident and a worse outcome for orthopedic surgical patients.

Areas of controversy: Most of the studies were undertaken in USA, and this represents a limit from the point of view of comparison with other academic and clinical realities.

Growing point: The data provide support for continued and perhaps increased involvement of resident in orthopedic surgery.

Areas of research: To clarify the role of residents on clinically relevant outcomes in orthopedic patients, appropriately powered randomized control trials should be planned.

Keywords: orthopedic; outcomes; resident; surgery.