INTRODUCTION:

Laparoscopic skills are indispensable to the practice of present-day gynecologists. Hence, we investigated the share of minimal invasive surgery in the training of obstetricians and gynecologists.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Information on resident experience from 197 obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) residency programs was obtained from the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics.

RESULTS:

Over a period of 4 years, an OBGYN resident performs--as surgeon or assistant--on average 190 abdominal procedures including 111 abdominal hysterectomies as well as 53 vaginal hysterectomies and 95 operative laparoscopic procedures with or without hysterectomy. The average laparoscopy-tolaparotomy quotient (LPQ) is 0.54, and the average vaginal-to-abdominal hysterectomy quotient (VAQ) is 0.50.

CONCLUSION:

More attention to minimal invasive surgery is needed in OBGYN residency programs.