Influence of fellowship educational experience on practice patterns for adrenalectomy: A survey of recent AAES fellowship graduates

BackgroundCurrent practice patterns for adrenalectomy among endocrine surgeons is a limited area of study. Here we survey relatively junior endocrine surgeons regarding educational experiences in adrenalectomy and correlate these with current practice.MethodsAn electronic survey was sent to recent AAES-accredited fellowships graduates (2014–2019), querying adrenalectomy volume and approaches during fellowship and current practice patterns.ResultsMost graduates (63.2%) performed >20 adrenalectomies in fellowship. Exposure was greatest to open (94.1%) and laparoscopic transabdominal (92.6%) adrenalectomy, followed by retroperitoneoscopic (86.7%). The majority (73.5%) of respondents stated their current practice patterns are the same as their exposure during training. Preoperative diagnosis, side of lesion, and patient comorbidities were all ranked as significant predictors affecting choice of approach (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe large majority of AAES fellowship graduates receive high-volume adrenalectomy experience in several approaches. The technique to which a trainee was exposed to most frequently was the greatest predictor for preferential approach in current practice.