Proctored preceptorship model for learning eTEP repair for inguinal hernia for general surgery residents.

Background: Enhanced-view total extra-peritoneal (eTEP) inguinal hernia repair is a technically demanding procedure with a steep learning curve.

Aim: Examine the feasibility and effectiveness of an instructor approach to teaching residents how to perform laparoscopic eTEP independently following a dedicated course of individual teaching.

Methods: Prospective analysis of eTEP procedures performed by residents between March 2018 and September 2020. Six residents dispersed into three groups-Group A: two junior residents, Group B: two mid-level residents and Group C: two senior residents. All residents performed a unilateral IHR comprised of five core steps. Data reviewed for each procedure included the time of each step, total time and autonomy degree as assessment for every step: 1st degree-dependent (physical assistance), 2nd degree-partially dependent (vocal assistance) and 3rd degree-independent. Early and late procedures were divided at 50% of cases.

Results: Participants performed 44 procedures (220 steps). Late procedures presented with a significant improvement in all degrees of autonomy (1st degree p = 0.002, 2nd degree p = 0.007 and 3rd degree p < 0.0001) and in every step (Step 1 p = 0.015, Step 2 p = 0.006, Step 3 p < 0.0001, Step 4 p < 0.0001, Step 5 p = 0.002). There was no significant difference in surgery duration between early and late procedures (p = 0.32). At early procedures, junior residents needed significantly higher rates of physical intervention (1st degree) compared to the senior residents (p = 0.004). Conversely, there was no significant difference in 2nd degree of autonomy (p = 0.46), 3rd degree (p = 0.06) and surgery duration (p = 0.16). The last three procedures performed by all participants had no significant difference between the seniority groups in autonomy (1st degree p = 0.1, 2nd degree p = 0.18 and 3rd degree p = 0.1).

Conclusion: Dedicated course with an individual instructor's approach is effective in achieving competence, autonomy and confidence in performing eTEP in a short time.