The Impact of Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms on Vascular Surgery Training in Open Aneurysm Repair

Background: Since the introduction of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in 1992, the number of open AAA repair (OAR) cases continue to decline. The consequence of reduced OAR cases raises valid concerns related to patient safety and the future training of vascular surgeons that need to be appropriately addressed. Our objective is to analyze trends in OAR and EVAR cases and to assess their implications on the quality of vascular surgery training. Methods: We analyzed the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) case log database for total clinical experience in OAR and EVAR for graduating vascular surgery fellows (VSFs) finishing 5 + 2 programs between 2002 and 2019 and vascular surgery integrated residents (VSRs) between 2013 and 2019. VSF case totals were calculated by combining average total cases of open and endovascular supra- and infrarenal AAA repair during fellowship years combined with total cases performed during their general surgery residency. VSR case totals included only the cases performed during the 5-year residency period. Isolated Iliac and thoracic aortic aneurysms were excluded from our analysis. Results: The average number of OAR cases per trainee has decreased by 60% (from 36.9 to 14.7) with a rate of 1.4 cases per year (P < 0.001) for VSF. Meanwhile, EVAR average cases have increased by 102% (from 22 to 44.4). However, there were 2 different trends exhibited with EVAR over the study period. Between 2002 and 2007, EVAR cases tended to increase by 5.9 cases per year (P < 0.001). Whereas, between 2007 and 2019, there was a slightly decreased trend in EVAR cases by 0.3 cases per year (P = 0.01). For VSR, while no significant trend was observed in the mean number of OAR cases (Coef. −0.3, P = 0.2) due to the limited time frame, the proportion of open cases was significantly lower compared to endovascular cases. Additionally, there were 2 different trends exhibited with EVAR over the study period. Between 2013 and 2015, EVAR cases tended to increase by 1.7 cases per year (P = 0.1). Whereas, between 2015 and 2019, there was a slightly decreased trend in EVAR cases by 0.2 cases per year (P = 0.007). Conclusions: A significant reduction in average OAR cases and an increase in EVAR cases were observed over the study period. Vascular surgery training programs may need to introduce further training programs in open surgical repair to ensure vascular surgery trainees have the required technical skills and expertize to perform such a high-risk procedure safely and independently.