Pediatric Surgery Training Program

Program Instructor Masato Sato

1. Program Objectives and Features

Pediatric surgery is one of the subjects required for obtaining a surgical specialty (including gastrointestinal surgery, respiratory surgery, cardiovascular surgery, breast surgery, and pediatric surgery).

In pediatric surgery, the initial training course aims to teach postgraduate trainees the basic pre- and post-operative management methods for patients with surgical diseases, as well as to understand the pathology of pediatric-specific surgical diseases and master their surgical and management techniques. In addition, the course aims to provide experience as a first assistant in minor surgeries (day surgery) such as inguinal hernias, and to acquire the basics of surgical techniques.

In addition, because there are many emergency surgical cases in pediatric surgery, students will experience a series of treatments together with supervising physicians, from diagnosis to surgical indications, surgery, postoperative management, and outpatient consultations.

2. Guidance system

As a general rule, daily instruction is provided by staff who are certified as instructors (specialists) by the Japanese Society of Pediatric Surgery. Residents are responsible for hospitalized patients, deepening their specialized knowledge of individual diseases while also preparing case reports to submit to their instructors. Residents also gain experience in pre- and post-operative management of outpatients undergoing same-day surgery alongside pediatric surgery residents, and this experience forms part of their clinical experience, right up to outpatient visits. Based on this, training instructors meet with residents once a month to discuss their progress and any issues.

3. Specific goals to achieve

<1> Basic examination and testing methods

1. Patient interview and examination
2. Assistance with various examinations (gastrointestinal fluoroscopy, cystography, esophageal pH monitor, gastrointestinal manometry, abdominal ultrasound, CT, MRI, etc.)
3. Infusion and blood sampling
4. Recording medical records, etc.

<2> Basic treatment method

1. Formulation of treatment plans (scheduled surgery/emergency surgery)
2. Wound treatment, postoperative drainage management, etc.
3. Acquire basic techniques and understand surgical techniques
   Participated in minor surgeries as the first assistant
   Participates as a second assistant in other surgeries (including endoscopic surgery)
4. Pre- and post-operative management, etc.

4. Weekly Schedule

• Emergency surgery is performed as needed
• Pediatric surgery team rounds are conducted daily
• Joint conference with pediatrics

5. Evaluation Method

The trainees' level of achievement is evaluated by the training instructor who supervised them during their pediatric surgery training.
The evaluation criteria are (1) self-evaluation by the trainee, (2) reports on cases in their care, and (3) an interview with the trainee supervising physician in which they are evaluated on medical experience and knowledge, such as clinical experience, knowledge, and attitude, as well as the personality traits desired in a pediatric surgeon.