Efficacy of a Novel Surgical Manikin for Simulating Emergency Surgical Procedures.

The practical component of the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS®) course typically includes a TraumaMan® manikin. This manikin is expensive; hence, a low-cost alternative (SurgeMan®) was developed in Brazil. Our primary objective was to compare user satisfaction among SurgeMan, TraumaMan, and porcine models during the course. Our secondary objective was to determine the user satisfaction scores for SurgeMan. This study included 36 ATLS students and nine instructors (4:1 ratio). Tube thoracostomy, cricothyroidotomy, pericardiocentesis, and diagnostic peritoneal lavage were performed on all the three models. The participants then rated their satisfaction both after each activity and after the course. The porcine and TraumaMan models fared better than SurgeMan for all skills except pericardiocentesis. In the absence of ethical or financial constraints, 58 per cent of the students and 66 per cent of the instructors indicated preference for the porcine model. When ethical and financial factors were considered, no preference was evident among the students, whereas 66 per cent of instructors preferred SurgeMan over the others. The students gave all three models an overall adequacy rating of >80 per cent; the instructors gave only the animal models an adequacy rating of <80 per cent. Although the users were more satisfied with TraumaMan than with SurgeMan, both were considered acceptable for the ATLS course.

Comparison of anterior gastric wall and greater gastric curvature invaginations for weight loss in rats.

BACKGROUND: Many bariatric endoscopic or surgical procedures performed today reduce gastric capacity and/or induce an early sensation of gastric satiety, alone or in combination with a distal enteric intervention. A form of prosthetic wrap of the folded stomach was used in the past for treating obesity with a high rate of prosthesis-related reintervention. Nissen gastric fundoplication used in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease induces a small but significant weight loss without gastric stapling, partitioning, or prosthesis-related morbidity. We recently reported greater gastric curvature invagination without stapling, partitioning or prosthesis use, for weight loss in rats. We now compare anterior gastric wall and greater gastric curvature invaginations for weight loss. The anterior invagination would be technically easier, should it be tested in humans. METHODS: 20 rats were randomized in 2 groups. The anterior gastric wall of 10 rats was invaginated in the first group (AGW). The greater gastric curvature of 10 rats was invaginated in the second group (GGC). All animals were weighed weekly for 4 weeks. They were then autopsied on the 28th day. RESULTS: The mean body weight of the GGC group became statistically less than the AGW group at 21 days. The mean weight of the peritesticular fat pad and the mean gastric volume were not statistically different at 28 days (autopsy). CONCLUSION: Greater gastric curvature invagination significantly reduces body weight compared to anterior gastric wall invagination at 21 days.

Evaluation of the mortality rate caused by different periods of selective portal vein occlusion in rats / Avaliação da mortalidade causada por diferentes períodos de oclusão seletiva da veia porta em ratos

Mortality from acute selective portal vein occlusion (SPVO) is a matter of concern for surgeons during the management of traumatic portal vein injury. However, mortality rates related to different periods of SPVO remains undetermined. PURPOSE: To determine the mortality rates resulting from different periods of acute SPVO in rats. METHODS: Wistar male rats were randomized into 8 experimental, and 8 control groups. Experimental animals underwent SPVO during 15 to 75 minutes, and control groups underwent sham procedures. All surviving animals were followed up to 14 days for assessment of mortality rate. RESULTS: Death rates varied from 0 percent in the 15 min SPVO group, to 100 percent with 65 and 75 minutes of SPVO. A strongly positive correlation was observed between mortality rates and SPVO periods (p 30 min) of SPVO.

A mortalidade da oclusão seletiva da veia porta (OSVP) preocupa os cirurgiões durante o tratamento de lesão traumática da veia porta. Entretanto, as taxas de mortalidade decorrentes de diferentes períodos de OSVP não estão determinadas. OBJETIVO: Determinar a mortalidade Decorrente de diferentes períodos de oclusão seletiva da veia porta (OSVP) em ratos. MÉTODOS: Ratos Wistar machos foram randomizados em 8 grupos experimentais e 8 controles. Os experimentais foram submetidos a OSVP por períodos de 15 a 75 minutos, seguidos de observação até o óbito, e os sobreviventes até 14 dias. Os grupos controles receberam idênticos procedimentos, exceto a OSVP. RESULTADOS: A mortalidade, a partir do momento da oclusão, aumentou progressivamente, de 0 por cento no grupo de 15min, atingindo 100 por cento nos grupos de 65min e 75min de OSVP. Houve alta correlação positiva entre mortalidade e duração da OSVP (p 30 minutos).

Evaluation of the mortality rate caused by different periods of selective portal vein occlusion in rats

Mortality from acute selective portal vein occlusion (SPVO) is a matter of concern for surgeons during the management of traumatic portal vein injury. However, mortality rates related to different periods of SPVO remains undetermined. PURPOSE: To determine the mortality rates resulting from different periods of acute SPVO in rats. METHODS: Wistar male rats were randomized into 8 experimental, and 8 control groups. Experimental animals underwent SPVO during 15 to 75 minutes, and control groups underwent sham procedures. All surviving animals were followed up to 14 days for assessment of mortality rate. RESULTS: Death rates varied from 0 percent in the 15 min SPVO group, to 100 percent with 65 and 75 minutes of SPVO. A strongly positive correlation was observed between mortality rates and SPVO periods (p<0.001) with either linear or quadratic regression analysis tests. All deaths in the 20min and 25min SPVO groups occurred after 75 min from the moment of clamping (or after 60 min from unclamping); death from 30 or more min SPVO occurred predominantly within 75 min from clamping moment (or within 60 min from unclamping). (Exact Fisher test, p=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: The mortality from SPVO in rats increases with longer duration of SPVO; with deaths occurring later for short periods (< 25 min) of SPVO and earlier for longer periods (> 30 min) of SPVO.

A mortalidade da oclusão seletiva da veia porta (OSVP) preocupa os cirurgiões durante o tratamento de lesão traumática da veia porta. Entretanto, as taxas de mortalidade decorrentes de diferentes períodos de OSVP não estão determinadas. OBJETIVO: Determinar a mortalidade Decorrente de diferentes períodos de oclusão seletiva da veia porta (OSVP) em ratos. MÉTODOS: Ratos Wistar machos foram randomizados em 8 grupos experimentais e 8 controles. Os experimentais foram submetidos a OSVP por períodos de 15 a 75 minutos, seguidos de observação até o óbito, e os sobreviventes até 14 dias. Os grupos controles receberam idênticos procedimentos, exceto a OSVP. RESULTADOS: A mortalidade, a partir do momento da oclusão, aumentou progressivamente, de 0 por cento no grupo de 15min, atingindo 100 por cento nos grupos de 65min e 75min de OSVP. Houve alta correlação positiva entre mortalidade e duração da OSVP (p<0.001; tanto em teste de Regressão linear quanto quadrática). Os óbitos decorrentes de 20 e 25 min de OSVP ocorreram após 75min do clampeamento (ou após 60 min do desclampeamento); os decorrentes de 30min ou mais ocorreram predominantemente antes de decorridos 75 min do clampeamento (ou 60 min do desclampeamento). (Teste exato de Fisher, p<0.05). CONCLUSÕES: A mortalidade da OSVP em ratos aumenta com a maior duração da oclusão; os óbitos ocorrem mais tardiamente após oclusões breves (< 25 min), e mais precocemente nas oclusões mais prolongadas (> 30 minutos).

Evaluation of the mortality rate caused by different periods of selective portal vein occlusion in rats.

UNLABELLED: Mortality from acute selective portal vein occlusion (SPVO) is a matter of concern for surgeons during the management of traumatic portal vein injury. However, mortality rates related to different periods of SPVO remains undetermined. PURPOSE: To determine the mortality rates resulting from different periods of acute SPVO in rats. METHODS: Wistar male rats were randomized into 8 experimental, and 8 control groups. Experimental animals underwent SPVO during 15 to 75 minutes, and control groups underwent sham procedures. All surviving animals were followed up to 14 days for assessment of mortality rate. RESULTS: Death rates varied from 0% in the 15 min SPVO group, to 100% with 65 and 75 minutes of SPVO. A strongly positive correlation was observed between mortality rates and SPVO periods (p<0.001) with either linear or quadratic regression analysis tests. All deaths in the 20 min and 25 min SPVO groups occurred after 75 min from the moment of clamping (or after 60 min from unclamping); death from 30 or more min SPVO occurred predominantly within 75 min from clamping moment (or within 60 min from unclamping). (Exact Fisher test, p=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: The mortality from SPVO in rats increases with longer duration of SPVO; with deaths occurring later for short periods (or= 30 min) of SPVO.

Isolated right atrial appendage (RAA) rupture in blunt trauma--a case report and an anatomic study comparing RAA and right atrium (RA) wall thickness.

BACKGROUND: Heart chambers rupture in blunt trauma is uncommon and is associated with a high mortality. The determinant factors, and the incidence of isolated heart chambers rupture remains undetermined. Isolated rupture of the right atrium appendage (RAA) is very rare, with 8 cases reported in the reviewed literature. The thin wall of the RAA has been presumed to render this chamber more prone to rupture in blunt trauma. OBJECTIVE: To report a case of isolated RAA rupture in blunt trauma, and to compare right atrium (RA) and RAA wall thickness in a necropsy study. METHODS: The thickness of RA and RAA wall of hearts from cadavers of fatal penetrating head trauma victims was measured. Our case of isolated RAA rupture is presented. The main findings of the 8 cases reported in the literature, and the findings of our case, were organized in a table. RESULT: The comparison of the data showed that wall thickness of the RAA (0.53 +/- 0.33 mm) was significantly thinner than that of RA (1.11 +/- 0.42 mm) (p < 0.05). COMMENTS: In all these 9 cases of isolated RAA rupture, cardiac tamponade occurred, RAA rupture was diagnosed intraoperatively and sutured, and the patients survived. Main mechanisms hypothesized for heart chamber rupture include mechanical compression coincident with phases of cardiac cycle, leading to high hydrostatic pressure inside the chamber. Published series include numerous cases of RA rupture, and only a few cases of RAA rupture. CONCLUSION: Thus, our data suggests that wall thickness is not a determinant factor for RA or RAA rupture in blunt trauma.

Evaluation of gastric greater curvature invagination for weight loss in rats.

BACKGROUND: Many bariatric endocopic or surgical procedures performed today reduce gastric capacity and/or induce an early sensation of satiety, alone or in combination with a distal enteric intervention. A form of prosthetic gastric wrap was used in the past for treating obesity with a high rate of reintervention. Nissen gastric fundoplication used in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease induces a small but significant weight loss. We report the effect of gastric greater curvature invagination on weight in rats. METHODS: 30 rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. 10 rats in the first group (sham) were anesthesized and weighed. The rats from the second group (lap) were in addition submitted to a laparotomy plus visceral manipulation. In the third group (inv), invagination of the greater curvature of the stomach was added. All animals were weighed on the 7th and 21st days. They were then autopsied on the 21st day. RESULTS: The mean body weight of the invagination group became statistically less than the laparotomy and sham groups at 7 and 21 days. The mean weight of the peritesticular fat pad from the inv group was also significantly less than from the sham group but not different from the lap group. CONCLUSION: Gastric greater curvature invagination significantly decreases weight in rats.

Enxerto aorto-femoral por via laparoscópica: modelo experimental / Laparoscopic aortofemoral bypass: experimental model

OBJETIVO: Verificar a exeqüibilidade de enxerto aorto-femoral por via laparoscópica. MÉTODO: Operamos porco de 75 kg sob anestesia geral. Empregando a técnica do avental (apron) de Dion, expusemos a aorta por laparoscopia. Brevemente, em decúbito dorsal horizontal, dissecamos um "avental" do peritônio parietal esquerdo. A dissecção prosseguiu com rotação medial do cólon esquerdo. O avental, posteriormente fixo à linha mediana, serviu de anteparo às alças intestinais. Pinçamos a aorta e realizamos enxerto aorto-femoral com o tempo abdominal totalmente laparoscópico. RESULTADO: O enxerto foi realizado com sucesso, e o fluxo sangüíneo na prótese foi demonstrado através da incisão femoral. CONCLUSÃO: O enxerto aorto-femoral experimental laparoscópico é exeqüível através da exposição com a técnica do avental.

Síndrome de Ogilvie associada ao hérpes zóster / Ogilvie's syndrome associated with hespes zoster

Sir Heneage Ogilvie descresveu, em 1948, a síndrome que leva o seu nome. Desde então muitos casos foram relatados na literatura e várias denominações utilizadas, sendo a pseudo-obstrução aguda do cólon a mais empregada em nosso meio. Apresenta baixa prevalência, resolução geralmente espontânea, mas pode ter complicações graves, como necrose e perfuração de ceco. O caso aqui apresentado mostra o aparecimento da pseudo-obstrução aguda do cólon simultaneamente ao herpes zóster em uma paciente previamente hígida, que não apresentava outro fator predisponente ao desenvolvimento de síndrome de Ogilvie. Além disso, a melhora da dilatação do cólon coincidiu com a resolução das lesões de pele. Estes fatos, reforçados por outros casos relatados na literatura, sugerem a participação do herpes zóster na etiologia da síndrome de Ogilvie