[Investigation of laparoscopic bimanual technic education with laparoscopic training box]. / Kétkezes technika elsajátításának vizsgálata laparoszkópos training boxon.

INTRODUCTION: In some surgical wards residents start to do laparoscopic operations using both hands, while in other places they only use their dominant hand, and only start to use both hands later. There are no data at the moment about which method is more effective. METHODS: We divided 20 students with no laparoscopic experience into 2 groups: one group practised one hand at a time (1K), the other group used both hands (2K) during the 5 days. On the last day both groups had to do every exercise with one hand and two hands as well, then they had to do 3 new exercises, which needed both hands. We measured the time taken, and gave points for the videos taken inside the training box based on OSATS. For statistical analysis we used t-tests, p < 0.05 being significant. RESULTS: On the first day, there was no significant difference between the 1K and 2K groups considering the time taken (518/500 s) and the OSATS points (87/84; 54/55 points). Both groups improved in the mean time and points (1K: 52%, 77% 2K: 50%, 70%) as well, but there was no significant difference between them. In the case of new exercises on the last day, there was no difference between mean time (1K: 425 s, 2K: 411 s) and points (53/59 and 56/52), but there was a significant difference considering the points given for bimanuality. CONCLUSION: Based on our study, we cannot exactly state that the bimanuality needed for expert laparoscopic surgery would be easier to learn with immediately practising with both hands.

Training With Curved Laparoscopic Instruments in Single-Port Setting Improves Performance Using Straight Instruments: A Prospective Randomized Simulation Study.

OBJECTIVE: Lately single-port surgery is becoming a widespread procedure, but it is more difficult than conventional laparoscopy owing to the lack of triangulation. Although, these operations are also possible with standard laparoscopic instruments, curved instruments are being developed. The aims of the study were to identify the effect of training on a box trainer in single-port setting on the quality of acquired skills, and transferred with the straight and curved instruments for the basic laparoscopic tasks, and highlight the importance of a special laparoscopic training curriculum. DESIGN: A prospective study on a box trainer in single-port setting was conducted using 2 groups. Each group performed 2 tasks on the box trainer in single-port setting. Group-S used conventional straight laparoscopic instruments, and Group-C used curved laparoscopic instruments. Learning curves were obtained by daily measurements recorded in 7-day sessions. On the last day, the 2 groups changed instruments between each other. SETTING: 1st Department of Surgery, Semmelweis University of Medicine from Budapest, Hungary, a university teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: In all, 20 fifth-year medical students were randomized into 2 groups. None of them had any laparoscopic or endoscopic experience. Participation was voluntary. RESULTS: Although Group-S performed all tasks significantly faster than Group-C on the first day, the difference proved to be nonsignificant on the last day. All participants achieved significantly shorter task completion time on the last day than on the first day, regardless of the instrument they used. Group-S showed improvement of 63.5%, and Group-C 69.0% improvement by the end of the session. After swapping the instruments, Group-S reached significantly higher task completion time with curved instruments, whereas Group-C showed further progression of 8.9% with straight instruments. CONCLUSIONS: Training with curved instruments in a single-port setting allows for a better acquisition of skills in a shorter period. For this reason, there is a need for proficiency-based conventional, but also for a single-port, laparoscopic training curriculum in general surgery residency education.

[The role of laparoscopy in cholecystectomy in patients 80 years old and older]. / A laparoszkópia szerepe a 80 évesnél idosebb betegek epekövességének megoldásában.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of cholelithiasis increases with age, however, there is still little data about the outcomes of cholecystectomy in patients with age of 80 and above. Population ageing presents tremendous challenges for surgeons. AIM: The aim of the authors was to compare emergency and elective cholecystectomies performed in these elderly patients. METHOD: This retrospective study was based on the analysis of operation type, conversion rate, complications, mortality, length of hospital stay of all patients over 80 who underwent cholecystectomy in the last 6 years at the 1st Department of Surgery, Semmelweis University. RESULTS: 69 elective and 51 emergency operations were performed. In the emergency group pancreatitis was found in 9.8%, liver abscess in 14%, and common bile duct stones in 27% of the patients on admission. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy could be performed in 84% of patients in the elective group, while in 17.7% of patients in the emergency group. The length of stay at the intensive care unit was 9.1 and 1 days, while the total length of hospital stay was 12 and 3.6 days for the elective and emergency groups, respectively. In the emergency group mortality was 20% and reoperation was performed in 16% of patients, while at the elective group none of these occurred. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is safe as elective surgery for patients with age of 80 and above. For this reason the authors recommend elective cholecystectomy in this age group.

[Measuring residents' and specialists' laparoscopic technique with the MENTOR® training box]. / Rezidensek és szakorvosok laparoscopos technikájának felmérése MENTOR® tréningboksz segítségével.

INTRODUCTION: Operating room is not the ideal place to acquire laparoscopic skills since patients can be put at risk and it is also relatively expensive. Using training boxes seems to be a more appropriate way of teaching and learning the technique, but there is little data about measuring the technique of experienced specialists and comparing their results with residents. METHODS: At the 1st Department of Surgery, Semmelweis University we tested 30 residents and 25 specialists in general surgery and urology on MENTOR® training box. Before training, all participants completed a questionnaire on professional experience, previous usage of training boxes, virtual simulators, and video games, and whether they played a musical instrument earlier. Subjects were asked to complete in a defined time limit 3 of the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery tasks (which is required for American surgical residents for surgical board examination), and 3 tasks decided by us. Linear regression analysis (ANOVA table) was used to evaluate the data. RESULTS: 16% of the specialists and 6.66% of the residents completed all tasks within time limit. Statistically significant correlation (p < 0.05) was demonstrated between the number of previous laparoscopic surgeries and task completion time, while there were no significant correlations between other factors, which may influence laparoscopic technique and task completion time. CONCLUSIONS: Training boxes are suitable for developing eye-hand coordination and bimanuality, as well as for learning instrument handling. Nonetheless, residents acquire most of their laparoscopic surgical skills on patients in Hungary, yet. For this reason there is a need for organized training opportunities.