2025 Volume 61 Issue 1 Pages 50-56
Purpose: In this report, we discuss in detail the first Pediatric Surgery Summer Seminar in Hokkaido, which was held in collaboration across university boundaries.
Methods: The seminar was aimed at medical students and junior residents interested in pediatric surgery. Morning lecture sessions included lectures on the introduction to pediatric surgery facilities. Afternoon sessions provided hands-on training in laparoscopic suturing and ligation, intestinal anastomosis, da Vinci simulation, and echo-guided internal jugular vein puncture. Surveys were conducted at each station to assess pre-seminar expectations and post-seminar satisfaction levels.
Results: Sixteen participants (11 medical students and 5 junior residents) completed the surveys, yielding a 100% response rate. Interest in the introduction to pediatric surgery facilities increased from “high expectations” with 2 participants pre-seminar to “high satisfaction” with 12 participants post-seminar. Expectations for laparoscopic suturing and ligation, as well as intestinal anastomosis, increased from “high expectations” with 11 participants pre-seminar to “high satisfaction” with all 16 participants post-seminar. Interest in pediatric surgery increased from “very interested” with 6 participants pre-seminar to “very interested” with 10 participants post-seminar.
Conclusions: The seminar not only increased the interest and curiosity of medical students and junior residents in pediatric surgery but also strengthened collaboration among pediatric surgeons. Long-term career surveys are being planned to determine the impact of this seminar on participants’ decisions to specialize in pediatric surgery.
