Researchers Studied Whether Gender Plays a Role in Surgical Skills and Outcomes
A surgeon's sex appears to have little to do with the results of a surgery.
A Canadian study determined that patients operated on by girls than did patients whose surgeons were men, had no longer complications or difficulties after surgery.
Surgical skills and results
"Our findings have important implications for supporting sex equality and diversity in a traditionally male-dominated profession," the study authors wrote.
One of the conclusions in a current South African American research were that more girls in surgery doesn't necessarily translate into better integration, which women are considered to face more challenges in carving out a successful career in operation.
The current investigation researchers, led by Dr Raj Satkunasivam formerly at the University of Toronto, investigated whether gender plays a part in skills and results.
The group analysed the link between surgeons' sex and the results of 25 common surgical procedures within an approximate span.
No Substantial differences
The researchers compared the results of over 104 000 procedures performed by 774 surgeons using the outcomes of the surgeries Two 540 male surgeons that had been the exact same age and had the same level of expertise. Age, sex, income and other health problems also matched the patients that had the procedures.
At the first few months following surgery, patients operated on by women had death rates that were lower than those treated by male surgeons, the research found. The difference could be related to closer adherence to communication and patient-centred care or guidelines, the study authors suggested.
However, there were no substantial differences in complications or readmission rates among the patients treated by women and those operated on by guys, according to the report printed in BMJ.
The researchers found no differences in results among patients who had emergency surgery and did not select their surgeons.
The study noted that their findings do not establish cause and effect, and do not suggest that a surgeon should be preferred by patients based on gender.
