Resident and Fellow Participation Does Not Affect Short-Term Postoperative Complications After Distal Radius Fracture Fixation

Abstract

Abstract Background Complications after open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) for distal radius fractures (DRF) are well documented, but the impact of trainee involvement on postoperative outcomes has not been studied. Questions Does trainee involvement affect postoperative complication rates and length of hospital stay? Methods The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program was queried from 2006 to 2012 for patients undergoing DRF ORIF. A 1:1 propensity score matched resident/fellow involved cases to attending-only cases. Demographics, length of stay, and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression was used to evaluate independent predictors of adverse events and to evaluate cases with and without trainee involvement. Results Overall, 3,003 patients underwent DRF ORIF from 2006 to 2012. After matching, 1,150 cases (50% with resident/fellow involvement) were included. The overall rate of adverse events was 4.4% (46/1,050). There were no significant differences in the short-term complication rate in trainee-involved (2.3%) versus attending-only cases (3.9%) (p = 0.461). For ORIF of DRF, there were no significant differences, between attending-only cases and resident/fellow-involved cases, with regard to short-term major complications (p = 0.720) or minor complications (p = 0.374). Length of hospital stay was similar between cohorts (1.22 vs. 0.98 days) (p = 0.723). On multivariate analysis, trainee involvement was not an independent predictor of minor, major, or any complication after DRF fixation after controlling for multiple independent factors (all p > 0.364). Discussion Trainee participation in DRF ORIF is not associated with increased risk of short-term (30 days) medical or surgical postoperative complications. Level of Evidence This is a Level IV case–control study.