There is a need for a paradigm shift in laparoscopic surgical training: results of a nationwide survey among teaching hospitals in Switzerland.

Background: Surgical training curricula have changed little over the past decades. Current advances in surgical techniques, especially in minimally invasive surgery, as well as the rapidly changing socioeconomic environment pose a major challenge for the training of young surgeons. The aim of this survey was to provide a representative overview of the surgical training landscape in Switzerland focusing on laparoscopic surgical training: How do department chairs of teaching hospitals deal with the above challenges, and what should a future training curriculum look like?

Methods: This is a prospective, questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study among the heads of departments of all certified surgical teaching hospitals in Switzerland.

[Appendix somewhat different-Excerpts from the history, controversies of the present and view to the future].

If one could talk about a superstar in abdominal surgery, the appendix would definitely be qualified for this name. Much has already been said about the vermiform appendix. The potential to talk about the appendix is, however, by no means exhausted.