Optimal Timing of Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery (FES) Testing in General Surgery Residency: Early Is Better.

Background: Fundamentals of endoscopic surgery (FES) completion is mandatory for certification by the American Board of Surgery (ABS). As early simulation and competency assessment can bolster development of trainee proficiency, we sought to determine the optimal timing for FES examination by evaluating pass rates based on training level and previous endoscopic experience.

Methods: PGY2-5 residents at a university-based medical center who were novice to FES were assigned to complete FES training and testing.

Ten-year outcomes following ventral hernia repair: making the case for better post-market surveillance in the USA.

Background: We sought to identify the 10-year complication and recurrence rates and associated sociodemographic and operative characteristics associated with non-mesh versus mesh-based ventral hernia repairs (VHRs).

Methods: This was an IRB-approved (2020H0317) retrospective longitudinal study of patients undergoing mesh or non-mesh VHR from 2009-2019 at a single tertiary-care institution. The electronic medical record was used to collect sociodemographic, clinical, and intraoperative details, and early (≤ 30 days) and long-term (> 30-day) postoperative complications.