How much colorectal surgery do general surgeons do?

Abstract

Surgical subspecialization has croded the traditional domain of the general surgeon. The purpose of this study was to assess the volume and distribution of colon and rectal cases performed by general surgeons. The American Board of Surgery database was queried to identify and categorize the number of colorectal cases performed yearly by "generalists" (general surgeons) recertified between 1995-1997. There were 2,434 general surgeons (those with a basic certificate only) recertified. The mean number of large bowel cases was 33 (range 0-243). Thirty-one cases represented the 70th percentile and 60 cases represented the 90th percentile. The mean number of anorectal cases was 12.3 (range 0-185). The 70th percentile was 15 cases, and the 90th percentile was 26 cases. Seventy-five percent of general surgeons perform > or = 17 large intestine cases each year, whereas, only 25% perform > 16 total anorectal cases. General surgeons perform a substantial number of colon resections and relatively few anorectal cases. It is unclear whether this is an issue of anorectal training in general surgery programs or referral patterns.