MIS Fellowship: Overview
In July 2003, the Washington University Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Surgery (WUFMIS) — a one-year clinical fellowship — was established. Dr. L. Michael Brunt serves as fellowship director. WUFMIS participates in the Fellowship Council Match Program.
The fellowship includes both clinical surgical training and a clinical research component. The fellow works with four attending physicians who have significant practices in minimally invasive upper gastrointestinal (GI) and abdominal surgery: L. Michael Brunt, M.D.; J. Christopher Eagon, M.D.; Brent Matthews, M.D.; and James Fleshman, M.D. Operative care is provided at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and the affiliated Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital in St. Louis County. On average, the fellow is involved in surgical procedures three-and-a-half days a week, serves in the clinic one half day a week and works on research projects one day a week. A representative case log is shown below. The fellow works during the first month of the fellowship to develop a clinical research program. The remainder of the year is then available for carrying out planned research projects as well as pursuing other academic interests.
Case
|
Yearly Total
|
Percentage
|
Lap gastric bypass
|
48
|
22%
|
Lap Nissen
|
27
|
12%
|
Lap paraesophageal hernia
|
15
|
7%
|
Lap Heller myotomy
|
9
|
4%
|
Lap gastric resection
|
6
|
3%
|
Lap appy
|
6
|
3%
|
Lap incisional hernia
|
15
|
7%
|
Lap adrenal
|
12
|
5%
|
Lap CBDE
|
6
|
3%
|
Other advanced lap
|
3
|
1%
|
TOTAL ADVANCED LAP
|
147
|
67%
|
Lap chole
|
27
|
12%
|
Lap inguinal hernia
|
6
|
3%
|
Other basic lap
|
6
|
3%
|
TOTAL BASIC LAP
|
39
|
18%
|
TOTAL LAP
|
186
|
85%
|
Open cases
|
33
|
15%
|
TOTAL CASES
|
219
|
|
The application process is open from June through November. Prospective fellows with questions may contact Fellowship Director L. Michael Brunt, M.D.