OC-068 PORTUGUESE NATIONAL TRAINING IN HERNIA AND ABDOMINAL WALL SURGERY – THE RESIDENTS’ PERSPECTIVE

Abstract Abdominal Wall surgery is often considered the initial step in the training of General Surgery residents. However, that training is not standardized. The resident committee of the Portuguese Society of Hernia and Abdominal Wall (SPHPA) conducted a survey to the general surgery community, addressing training in inguinal and incisional hernia surgery. Its aim was to analyze the reality of training in abdominal wall surgery in Portugal. 100 answers were validated - 43 from specialists and 57 from residents; 56 from district hospitals and 44 from central hospitals. 57 had a formal unit dedicated to the abdominal wall in their institution. On the treatment of inguinal hernia, 99% responded that most corrections are open although 80% answered that laparoscopic corrections were performed in their institution. 65.7% answered that laparoscopic correction was reserved for specialists but 36% considered that it was appropriate to start perfoming it in the 3rd year of residency. As for incisional hernia, 90% answered that most procedures were open corrections, although 88% stated that laparoscopic corrections were also performed. 52% answered that residents operate laparoscopically and 19% only started in the specialty; 34% consider it appropriate to start this training in the 3rd year of residency. In conclusion, the abdominal wall is a focus of interest in General Surgery departments in Portugal, most of them having dedicated units. There is a disparity between the laparoscopic practice and the general opinion of when it should start, exposing the need for greater standardization of the surgical training.