A comparative study of learning curves among general surgery residents for intraoperative ultrasound-guided breast-conserving surgery.

Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) followed by radiotherapy is preferred for early-stage breast cancer because its survival rate is equivalent to that of mastectomy. Achieving negative surgical margins in BCS is crucial to minimize the risk of recurrence. Intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) enhances surgical accuracy, but its efficacy is operator dependent. This study aimed to compare the success of achieving negative margins using IOUS between an experienced breast surgeon and general surgical residents and to evaluate the learning curve for the residents. A prospective study involving 96 patients with BCS who underwent IOUS guidance was conducted. Both the breast surgeon and residents assessed the surgical margins using IOUS, with the breast surgeon making the final margin adequacy decision. Permanent histopathological analysis was used to confirm the status of the margins and was considered the gold standard for comparison. The breast surgeon accurately assessed the margin status in all 96 cases (100% accuracy), with 93 negative and three positive margins. All of these were ductal carcinomas in situ. Initially, the residents demonstrated low accuracy rates in predicting margin positivity using intraoperative ultrasonography. However, the learning curves of the three residents demonstrated that, with an average 12th case onwards, a significant improvement in the cumulative accuracy rates was observed, which reached the level of the breast surgeon. IOUS is an effective tool for accurately predicting the margin status in BCS, with an acceptable learning curve for novice surgeons. Training and experience are pivotal for optimizing surgical outcomes. These findings support the integration of IOUS training into surgical education programs to enhance proficiency and improve patient outcomes.

Formación en cirugía mamaria en España / Training in breast surgery in Spain

La cirugía de la mama forma parte fundamental en la formación y competencia de la cirugía general en España, constituyendo un «área frontera» asumida eficientemente por cirujanos y ginecólogos. El objetivo fundamental del proceso formativo está constituido por el tratamiento quirúrgico del cáncer de mama, que incluye la cirugía conservadora y las técnicas oncoplásticas y reconstructivas. En este artículo, se realiza un análisis de la situación actual de la formación en cirugía mamaria en nuestro país y se plantean esquemáticamente los posibles objetivos de los diversos programas formativos, para optimizar el acceso y la capacitación de los residentes y cirujanos en esta área teniendo en cuenta el RD 639/2014 y la normativa europea. Resulta prioritario concretar el nivel de formación que se pretende alcanzar, en relación con el grupo de profesionales a quien va dirigido, teniendo en cuenta su ámbito competencial: residente de cirugía, formación continuada y especial dedicación a esta área

Breast surgery is a key part of training and competency in general surgery in Spain and is a "frontier area" that can be efficiently managed by general surgeons and gynecologists. The main objective of the training process consists of the surgical treatment of breast cancer, including conservative surgery, oncoplastic and reconstructive techniques. This article analyses the current status of breast surgery training in Spain and schematically proposes potential targets of the different training programs, to improve access and training for surgeons and residents in this area, taking into account the RD 639/2014 and European regulation. The priority is to specify the level of training that should be achieved, in relation to the group of professionals involved, considering their area of competency: surgery resident, educational programs, and surgeons with special dedication to this area