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Oral Presentations resident in the two groups: 5.2 vs. 12.1 (p⬍.01). There was also a significant decrease in the average time of the procedure between the two groups, 181.8 min vs. 165.2 min (p⬍.01). In evaluating only the first two cases of each resident in each group, the average time decreased from 225.6 min to 193.2 min (p⬍.01). There were no significant differences in blood loss, change in hematocrit, length of hospital stay, and surgical or postoperative complications. Conclusion: During the initial two years of performing LSH at our institution, the residents had little previous experience and did relatively few cases as compared to those in the past two years. The decrease in average operative time demonstrates increased surgical competence that comes with increase experience, both in exposure to the procedure throughout residency and in number of cases performed. The importance of exposure throughout residence is demonstrated in the decrease in average operative time of the first two procedures performed by each senior resident where the impact of the total number of cases performed is eliminated. This supports the role for junior residents’ involvement in more advanced laparoscopy even if in a supportive role only. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2005 (4:21 PM– 4:27 PM) Open Communications 2—Education 59 Survey of Formal Surgical Training Among Ob/Gyn Residency Programs Skiadas CC. Boston, Massachusetts Study Objective: To assess 1) the current methods of surgical teaching and evaluation of skills among obstetricsgynecology (Ob/Gyn) resident training programs in the U.S. and 2) whether the increasing presence of minimally invasive surgeries (MIS) and the limitations of the 80 hour work week have influenced the implementation of formal surgical training. Design: A survey was e-mailed to the program directors or residency coordinators of all 243 U.S. Ob/Gyn Residency Programs. The questionnaire inquired how residents were taught abdominal, vaginal, and MIS surgical skills, and how their skills were assessed. Setting: All Ob/Gyn Programs in the U.S. participating in the National Residency Matching Program listed in the American Medical Association (AMA) database. Measurements and Main Results: Seventy of 243 programs responded to the survey, representing a 29.1% response rate. Among the responding programs, 66.2% report having formal surgical curricula and 61.9% have a curriculum specifically designed for MIS training, most of which are initiated in the first year of residency. Only 25.3% of responding programs report having formal assessments of their residents’ surgical skills. Eighty and two-tenths percent of the

S25 programs report of some form of proficiency training outside of the operating room (OR) prior to the resident’s first laparoscopic surgery and 77.4% report that the 80 hour work week influenced their decision to formalize their residency’s surgical training program. Conclusion: Although most Ob/Gyn residency programs still teach surgical skills via the OR and didactic lectures, there appears to be a trend towards formal surgical training and assessment. The limitations of an 80-hour work week have influenced this trend. Furthermore, there appears to be an increasing focus on surgical training outside of the OR, i.e., in simulator labs, possibly attributable to the rising presence of MIS. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2005 (4:27 PM– 4:33 PM) Open Communications 2—Education 60 Acquisition of Endovascular Skills for ObstetricianGynecologists McLucas B. Los Angeles, California Study Objective: To identify the necessary skills to be acquired by gynecologists wishing to perform uterine artery embolization (UAE). Many will be outside the range of surgical skills learned in residency. Design: This is an article review. Intervention: Uterine Artery Embolization. Measurements and Main Results: Use of the C-Arm image intensifier, familiarity with arteriotomy, the pelvic arterial anatomy, catheter choice and manipulation, micron particle choice and manipulation, and prevention, recognition, and treatment of complications. Conclusion: The aforementioned skills are required to ensure successful Uterine Artery Embolizations. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2005 (4:33 PM– 4:39 PM) Open Communications 2—Education 61 Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy with a New Method to Prevent Postoperative Prolapse Demmel M, Nouri K. Wolfsberg, Austria; LKH Wolfsberg, Wolfsberg, Kaernten, Austria Study Objective: To report successful laparoscopic management of supracervical hysterectomy with a new method to prevent after operation prolapse problems. Design: Retrospective analysis of 280 patients who had laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy during the years 1997 throughout 2005 (ongoing) with this method by the same surgeon group using the same surgical protocol. Setting: Department of obstetrics and gynecology /LKH Wolfsberg, a university affiliated community hospital. Patients: Two hundred eighty patients with mean age of 50.25 with different indications for hysterectomy. The case

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patient is 50 years old and the indication of the operation is uterine myomatosis. Intervention: Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy with joining the rest of cervix, Lig. sacrouterinum both sides, part of peritoneum, and lig. rotundum both sides with ohne extracorporeal node. Measurements and Main Results: All patients were controlled on day 7th after operation. The long term control is still going on. Conclusion: Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy is an effective, low-morbidity operation for the patients with the prolapse prophylaxis with this method. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2005 (4:39 PM– 4:45 PM) Open Communications 2—Education 62 Enhancing Pre-Operative Patient Understanding in Gynecological Laparoscopic Surgery Lenart MB, Fawcett S, Kingston A, Abbott JA, Vancaillie TG. Royal Hospital for Women Randwick, NSW, Australia Study Objective: To enhance patient understanding of pre, post-operative preparation for laparoscopic gynecological surgery. Design: Prospective pre-operative qualitative research questionnaire. Setting: Department of Endo-Gynaecology Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney. Patients: Patients presenting for elective gynecological surgery. Intervention: Questionnaire. Measurements and Main Results: A majority of women (56%) did not prefer in house education. Eighty-five percent preferred an information DVD as the most suitable mode of information delivery due to their ability to review it on multiple occasions. Conclusion: These data suggest that the current preparation of patients for theatre is inadequate. Written information seems to be misinterpreted and misunderstood. Patients prefer not to attend in house sessions for tour of facilities and explanations. An audio -visual information package may be a cost effective method for providing pre-operative information for patients attending for gynecological surgery.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2005 (4:45 PM– 4:51 PM) Open Communications 2—Education 63 Hysteroscopic Morcellation Versus Conventional Resectoscopy, a Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Both Techniques in the Hands of Ob/Gyn Residents in Training Jansen FW, van Dongen H, Emanuel MH. Leiden University Medical Ctr, RC, Leiden, Netherlands; Leiden University Medical Ctr, RC Leiden, Netherlands; Spaarne Hospital, Haarlem, NH, Netherlands Study Objective: The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to compare the learning curve of residents in training for both techniques. Intervention: The hysteroscopic morcellator is a device similar to an arthroscopic surgery blade inserted into a 9 mm hysteroscope. The major advantages are: the use of saline solution instead of the electrolyte-free solutions used in monopolar high-frequency resectoscopy and the ease of removal of the tissue fragments through the instrument. Sixty patients with endometrial polyps and/or submucous myomas type 0 were recruited and randomized in two groups after informed consent. In group A patients were treated by residents with the new hysteroscopic morcellator and in group B patients were treated by residents with conventional resectoscopy. Measurements and Main Results: Primary outcome measures were the assessment of the ease of use and performance measured by operating time, fluid deficit, number of instrumentation insertions and subjective surgeon satisfaction scores of the residents and their trainers. Secondary outcome measures were complications in terms of performance, bleeding and TUR-syndrome. The preliminary results of the comparison of outcome measures in both groups will be presented. Conclusion: The new technique of hysteroscopic morcellation for the removal of endometrial polyps and submucous myomas may offer a safe and effective alternative to conventional resectoscopy with a shorter learning curve as it seems easier to perform. Additionally, the implementation of hysteroscopic surgery into daily gynecologic practice, which is a matter of concern, may accelerate with this new introduced technique. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2005 (4:51 PM– 4:57 PM) Open Communications 2—Education 64 Abnormal Uterine Bleeding and Quality of Life Measures after Microwave Endometrial Ablation Nieves A, Sobolewski C, Filip S, Lukes A. Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina Study Objective: To assess improvement in abnormal uterine bleeding and quality of life measures after microwave endometrial ablations performed at Duke University.