Usefulness of structured‐cadaveric training for trans‐anal pelvic exenteration

Purpose Structured training using cadaveric simulation is useful for trans‐anal surgery; however, no studies have examined the effectiveness of cadaveric training for advanced trans‐anal surgery including pelvic exenteration (PE). Methods Twelve colorectal surgeons attended a total of 10 cadaveric simulation training courses between 2016 and 2021 and completed a questionnaire at the end of the program. We divided 14 consecutive patients who underwent trans‐anal PE between 2015 and 2021 into two groups: pre‐training group and post‐training group, and compared the clinico‐pathological features between the groups. Results The median length of clinical experience of the surgeons was 12 years. There was high score agreement among the surgeons that the course was useful for recognition of anatomical and layer structure, training for trans‐anal total mesorectal excision and trans‐anal PE, and reducing complications specific to the trans‐anal approach. Compared with the pre‐training group, patients in the post‐training group had a higher rate of two‐team surgery (77.8% vs 0%, P = .021), and shorter time to specimen removal (273 vs 423 min, P = .045). Conclusions Structured‐cadaveric training has potential use as a technical step‐up in advanced trans‐anal surgery that might contribute to better short‐term outcomes in the clinical setting.