Variability in Surgical Case Volume Performed During ACGME-Accredited Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Fellowship Training

Abstract

Introduction Previous studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between case volume and outcomes in foot and ankle surgery. This study elucidates surgical case volume benchmarks for Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)–accredited orthopaedic foot and ankle fellowship training in the United States. Methods The ACGME provided case logs for orthopaedic residents and foot and ankle fellows (2018-2021). Variabilities in reported fellowship case volumes were defined as the fold-difference between 90th and 10th percentiles. Reported case volumes were compared between training cohorts with parametric tests. Results Case logs from 65 orthopaedic foot and ankle fellows and 3146 orthopaedic residents were included. Fellows reported 1.3- to 1.5-fold more foot and ankle cases during fellowship training than during residency training (P < .001). On average, orthopaedic foot and ankle fellows reported 405.4 cases and most were arthrodesis (17%), forefoot reconstruction (17%), mid/hindfoot reconstruction (13%), tendon repair/transfer (12%), and trauma ankle hindfoot (11%). Case categories with the highest variabilities were amputation (14.8-fold difference), infection/tumor (11.6-fold difference), arthroscopy (9.2-fold difference), and calcaneus (8.7-fold difference). Discussion Case volume benchmarks can assist trainees and faculty during orthopaedic foot and ankle training. More research is needed to determine case minimum requirements needed for autonomous practice in foot and ankle surgery. Level of Evidence: Level III