BACKGROUND Resident satisfaction is a key performance metric for surgery programs; we studied factors influencing resident satisfaction in operative cases, and the concordance of faculty and resident perceptions on these factors. METHODS Resident and faculty were separately queried on satisfaction immediately following operative cases. Statistical significance of the associations between resident and faculty satisfaction and case-related factors were tested by Chi-square or Fisher's exact test. RESULTS Residents and faculty were very satisfied in 56/87 (64%) and 36/87 (41%) of cases respectively. Resident satisfaction was associated with their perceived role as surgeon (p < 0.04), performing >50% of the case (p < 0.01), autonomy (p < 0.03), and PGY year 4-5(p < 0.02). Faculty taking over the case was associated with both resident and faculty dissatisfaction. Faculty satisfaction was associated with resident preparation (p < 0.01), faculty perception of resident autonomy (p < 0.01), and faculty familiarity with resident's skills (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Resident and faculty satisfaction are associated with the resident's competent performance of the case, suggesting interventions to optimize resident preparation for a case or faculty's ability to facilitate resident autonomy will improve satisfaction with OR experience.