Advanced glycation end products accumulate in the reproductive tract of men with diabetes.

Light microscopic studies comparing sperm parameters show little association between diabetes and male fertility. However, with the introduction of new analytical techniques, evidence is now emerging of previously undetectable effects of diabetes on sperm function. Specifically, a recent study has found a significantly higher sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation in diabetic men. As advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are important instigators of oxidative stress and cell dysfunction in numerous diabetic complications, we hypothesized that these compounds could also be present in the male reproductive tract. The presence and localization of the most prominent AGE, carboxymethyl-lysine (CML), in the human testis, epididymis and sperm was determined by immunohistochemistry. Parallel ELISA and Western blot analyses were performed to ascertain the amount of CML in seminal plasma and sperm from 13 diabetic and nine non-diabetic subjects. CML immunoreactivity was found throughout the seminiferous epithelium, the nuclei of spermatogonia and spermatocytes, in the basal and principle cells cytoplasm and nuclei of the caput epididymis and on most sperm tails, mid pieces and all cytoplasmic droplets. The acrosomal cap, especially the equatorial band, was prominently stained in diabetic samples only. The amount of CML was significantly higher (p = 0.004) in sperm from non-diabetic men. Considering the known detrimental actions of AGEs in other organs, the presence, location and quantity of CML, particularly the increased expression found in diabetic men, suggest that these compounds may play a hitherto unrecognized role in male infertility.

Computer-assisted learning versus a lecture and feedback seminar for teaching a basic surgical technical skill.

BACKGROUND: Rapid improvements in computer technology allow us to consider the use of computer-assisted learning (CAL) for teaching technical skills in surgical training. The objective of this study was to compare in a prospective, randomized fashion, CAL with a lecture and feedback seminar (LFS) for the purpose of teaching a basic surgical skill. METHODS: Freshman medical students were randomly assigned to spend 1 hour in either a CAL or LFS session. Both sessions were designed to teach them to tie a two-handed square knot. Students in both groups were given knot tying boards and those in the CAL group were asked to interact with the CAL program. Students in the LFS group were given a slide presentation and were given individualized feedback as they practiced this skill. At the end of the session the students were videotaped tying two complete knots. The tapes were independently analyzed, in a blinded fashion, by three surgeons. The total time for the task was recorded, the knots were evaluated for squareness, and each subject was scored for the quality of performance. RESULTS: Data from 82 subjects were available for the final analysis. Comparison of the two groups demonstrated no significant difference between the proportion of subjects who were able to tie a square knot. There was no difference between the average time required to perform the task. The CAL group had significantly lower quality of performance (t = 5.37, P <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: CAL and LFS were equally effective in conveying the cognitive information associated with this skill. However, the significantly lower performance score demonstrates that the students in the CAL group did not attain a proficiency in this skill equal to the students in the LFS group. Comments by the students suggest that the lack of feedback in this model of CAL was the significant difference between these two educational methods.

Role of highly selective vagotomy and duodenoplasty in the treatment of postbulbar duodenal obstruction.

The indications for highly selective vagotomy have expanded in recent years, with the technique being applied to selected cases of perforation and bleeding. Its use in obstruction is controversial, but two options are available for managing the stenotic pylorus or duodenum: dilatation or duodenoplasty. The latter choice requires that the stenosis be located in the postbulbar area. Since 1981, we have managed 15 patients with postbulbar stenosis by means of highly selective vagotomy and duodenoplasty. All patients had a previous history of ulcer disease, and vomiting was a consistent symptom. All patients were referred for surgery, 10 by a gastroenterologist. There was no operative mortality or procedure-related morbidity. Two patients have been lost to follow-up. Both were classified as Visick I and had normal endoscopic results at their last visit. The remaining 13 patients have all been followed very recently. Twelve patients (92%) are currently classified as Visick I or II. One patient (Visick IV), who was essentially asymptomatic, was found to have a recurrent ulcer on endoscopy. Endoscopic (11 patients) or radiographic (1 patient) patency of the duodenoplasty has been demonstrated in 12 patients. Highly selective vagotomy and duodenoplasty should be a surgical consideration when the pathologic anatomy of the duodenum lends itself to that choice.

The impact of external feedback on computer-assisted learning for surgical technical skill training.

BACKGROUND: Computer-assisted learning (CAL) offers a number of potential advantages for surgical technical skills teaching. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of individualized external feedback on surgical skill acquisition when a CAL package is used for instruction. METHODS: Freshman and sophomore students participated in a 1-hour CAL session designed to teach them how to tie a two-handed square knot. One group received individualized external feedback during the session and the other group did not. Subjects were videotaped performing the skill before and after the session. The tapes were independently analyzed, in blinded fashion, by three surgeons. Three measures were obtained: the total time for the task, whether or not the knot was square, and the general quality of the performance using a rating scale. RESULTS: Data from 105 subjects were available for final analysis. For both groups there were significant increases in the proportion of knots that were square when the posttest performance was compared with the pretest performance but there was no difference between groups on this measure. Comparison of the performance scores demonstrated that both groups had a significant improvement after the session but the performance scores were significantly better in the group that had received feedback. CONCLUSIONS: Novices in both groups using CAL showed improvement in two of the outcomes measured, suggesting that subjects in both groups attained some degree of competence with this skill. The higher posttest performance score for the group receiving feedback demonstrates that external feedback results in a higher level of mastery when CAL is used to teach surgical technical skills.

A virtual reality module for intravenous catheter placement.

BACKGROUND: Virtual reality (VR) is a potential tool for technical skills training. We tested the validity and instructional effectiveness of a prototype VR module for learning intravenous (i.v.) catheter placement. METHODS: First-year medical students (n = 37), third-year medical students (n = 14), and surgical residents (n = 9) attempted two pretest i.v.s into each other, used the VR module for 12 minutes, and subsequently attempted two posttest i.v.s. Success or failure were recorded for each attempt. For each successful attempt, time and global rating of i.v. insertion were also recorded. RESULTS: The pretest success rate was significantly different between groups (chi square = 28.71, P <0.01). VR success rate was not significantly different between groups (F(2,57) = 1.47, ns). Although there was improvement in all groups during VR training (F(2,114) = 44.16, P <0.01), this did not result in improvement in posttest performance. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences between groups were observed in performance of i.v. insertion in physical reality. However, no significant difference was observed in performance in VR. Thus, performance in VR demonstrated neither construct nor concurrent validity. While performance improved in VR, transfer of skill from VR to physical reality was not observed. Additional development and testing of VR as a training tool is warranted before its widespread use can be recommended.

Gastrostomy: operative or nonoperative?

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is clearly better than operative gastrostomy performed under general anesthesia. Whether or not PEG offers any significant advantage over operative gastrostomy performed using local anesthesia remains to be proved. Operative gastrotomy performed with local anesthesia seems comparable to nonoperative techniques.

Evolving uses of laparoscopy in children.

As the technology evolves, the number of procedures that can be performed laparoscopically will continue to expand (Table 3). The impact on the field of pediatric surgery, which encompasses surgical oncology, gastrointestinal surgery, trauma, and gynecologic surgery, will be significant. There are several hurdles for the pediatric surgeon to overcome before beginning operative laparoscopy. The acquisition of the initial instrumentation is expensive, and the credentialing process may be time-consuming. And there remains a healthy suspicion on the part of many pediatric surgeons that these techniques represent a fad. We believe that operative laparoscopy has advantages and disadvantages. Some of the procedures require more time and are frequently tedious, thus trying the patience of the surgeon. It is difficult for experienced surgeons to subject themselves electively to the learning curve associated with a new procedure. While the benefits are mostly in the postoperative period, we believe exposure is vastly improved in obese patients. Patients appear to have less pain and postoperative ileus, and they may return to unrestricted activity sooner. We are still discovering which laparoscopic procedures can be done safely to the patient's advantage. Solving the dilemma of what procedures should be performed using laparoscopic techniques will require extensive experience and study, and minimally invasive surgery will be a subject of controversy and debate for many years. It is difficult to imagine that open cholecystectomy would once again become the standard. We predict that we will see a continued expansion in the types of procedures to be performed using minimal-access techniques. And in the future, we may have to justify our opening of a patient's abdomen when the procedure could have been performed laparoscopically, as is now the case for cholecystectomy in some areas of the country.

A comparison of a new two-layer anatomic repair to the traditional shouldice herniorrhaphy.

Since 1976, the Shouldice repair has been the herniorrhaphy of choice at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, Augusta, Georgia. The authors previously reported their experience with this technique, and their recurrence rate of 1.8 per cent was consistent with the experience of the Shouldice clinic. It is often difficult to obtain adequate tissue for a four-layer repair in patients with recurrent hernias or in those patients with large direct or indirect inguinal hernias. In these instances, a two-layer running closure similar to the Shouldice was performed, but the shelving edge of the inguinal ligament was sewn to the conjoined area in one layer and then the fascia of the internal oblique to the inguinal ligament in the second layer. To obtain an estimate of the recurrence rate with this modification, the authors reviewed their herniorrhaphy experience from 1984 to 1988. During this period, 420 herniorrhaphies were performed. Two hundred twenty-six patients were available for follow-up. Of this group, 154 patients had a traditional four-layer Shouldice repair; there were two recurrences in this group (1.2%). Seventy-two patients underwent the described two-layer repair; there were no documented recurrences in this group. Based on this experience, the authors believe that the described running two-layer herniorrhaphy is a valuable alternative when the tissue is inadequate to allow a traditional Shouldice repair. This procedure has now become the authors' method of choice for the majority of repairs.

A prospective, randomized comparison of traditional and laparoscopic inguinal exploration in children.

The indications for routine exploration of the asymptomatic contralateral groin during pediatric herniorrhaphy remain controversial. Laparoscopy through the open hernia sac has been described as an alternative to this traditional approach and appears to offer some advantages. In deciding whether this technique should be introduced into our clinical practice, we sought to discover whether there was a significant time difference between these two methods and if there were unique complications associated with this approach. We elected to answer this question in a prospective, randomized study. A total of 18 patients completed the study. There were no significant complications in either group. The average total surgical procedure time in the laparoscopy group was 47.5 minutes versus 41 minutes in the traditional group, which is not a statistically significant difference. We conclude from this prospective, randomized pilot study that laparoscopic exploration can be introduced into a pediatric surgical practice without a significant time penalty, and we currently offer it as a reasonable and safe alternative to our patients.

A prospective study of patient-controlled analgesia. Impact on overall hospital course.

Previous studies have shown that patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) provides effective pain control in the postoperative patient. To determine the impact of PCA technology on the overall hospital course, we designed a randomized controlled study comparing patients receiving analgesia using PCA infusion (Abbott Lifecare, Abbott Laboratories; Chicago, IL) with patients receiving analgesia by traditional intramuscular or intravenous methods. All patients had undergone elective cholecystectomy. Sixty-nine patients completed the study, 35 received traditional postoperative analgesia, and 34 received analgesia using the PCA infuser. Comparison of both groups demonstrated no significant difference in postoperative bowel activity with both groups receiving liquids on the first postoperative day. There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to postoperative length of stay (3.4 days for PCA vs 3.6 days for traditional). Patients demonstrated a wide range of analgesic requirement in the first 24 hours but the average of the total analgesic required was higher in the PCA group (average, 29.5 mg) than the traditional group (22.8 mg). Urinary complications occurred more commonly in the group of patients receiving traditional analgesia than in the group of patients receiving analgesia with the PCA device. When compared with patients receiving analgesia by traditional methods, patients receiving the PCA infusion required more analgesia with fewer urinary complications and similar postoperative length of stay.

A comparison of laparoscopic and traditional open splenectomy in childhood.

This study aimed to determine whether laparoscopic splenectomy is more advantageous than open splenectomy in pediatric patients. Data from 61 patients treated between June 1983 and September 1994 were reviewed. Length of hospitalization, hospital costs, operating time, and postoperative complications were evaluated. Forty-seven patients had open splenectomy. Nineteen of these underwent concomitant procedures. Fourteen patients had laparoscopic splenectomy, and four had concomitant cholecystectomy. The data show a trend toward a 1-day reduction in hospital stay associated with laparoscopic splenectomy (P < .02). Operating time was 83% longer for the laparoscopic approach (P < .001), and operating costs were almost $3,000 more (P < .001) than for open splenectomy. The total hospital cost also was greater for laparoscopic procedures (P < .1), primarily reflective of a more than $3,000 difference for splenectomy alone (P < .02). Two of the fourteen laparoscopic patients (14%) had complications. One patient with Evan's syndrome had pneumonia that required antibiotics. Another patient required conversion to an open procedure because of poorly controlled hemorrhage from a short gastric vessel. Twelve of the open splenectomy patients (25%) had complications: atelectasis (3), fever (4), wound infection (2), pneumonia (1), laryngospasm (1), and pancreatitis (1). The authors conclude that laparoscopic splenectomy is a safe but currently more expensive alternative to open splenectomy, primarily because of the use of disposable instruments. Benefits include a shorter hospital stay, no greater risk of postoperative complications, and subjective improvement in the cosmetic result. Disadvantages include increased operating time and cost. Evaluation of larger series will be needed to determine the significance of the difference in complication rates between the two procedures.

A "smart needle" to facilitate difficult vascular access in pediatric patients.

A new Doppler probe inside a needle was evaluated in a group of infants and children to assess its suitability for subclavian venous access. While the efficient use of this device required learning a new technique, we found the device useful to accurately locate the subclavian vein and differentiate it from the artery in all patients weighing more than 3 kg. This device will be most helpful in cases of difficult access, eg, scar from previous access, obesity, or edema.

The status of pediatric surgical rotations by residents in pediatrics.

A variety of forces are reshaping the traditional relationship between physicians and their patients. One consequence of this reform movement will be increased responsibility of the pediatrician to evaluate children with surgical diseases. Pediatricians also will be encouraged to do more of the minor surgical procedures themselves. It is not clear how academic pediatric surgeons should adapt to these changes to assure that the general pediatrician is equipped with the skills to handle this increased responsibility. One obvious solution would be to have the pediatrician in training rotate on the pediatric surgery service. The authors have considered these issues at their institution, and thus became interested in learning the status of pediatric surgical rotations by pediatric house staff in this country. A survey was distributed to the 221 accredited pediatric training programs in this country, and 143 individuals responded. Only thirty-five of these programs require a rotation on pediatric surgery. Eighty-six programs offer it as an elective, but only a minority of house staff takes it. The most disturbing aspect of the survey was the 28 of the programs had required a pediatric surgical rotation in the past but had eliminated it. The most common reasons given for this action were the poor educational content of the rotation and the labor requirements of the pediatric service. Based on the survey, the authors believe that it is unlikely that mandatory rotations on pediatric surgery will be begun in pediatric training curriculums. If pediatric surgeons wish to be involved in training pediatricians, they will need to address the educational content of their electives to meet the changing educational needs of the pediatricians.

Bilateral ovarian fibromas in children.

The case of bilateral ovarian fibromas occurring in an 8-year-old black girl is reported. These lesions occur rarely in premenarchal females and may be a manifestation of Nevoid Basal Cell Syndrome. Calcifications are reported to occur rarely in ovarian fibromas but seem to occur frequently in fibromas in children. Management is guided by the benignity of the lesion and consists of surgical excision of the fibroma. Preservation of normal ovarian tissue is recommended with the acknowledged risk of recurrence of the fibroma.

Sarcomas of the flexor fossae in children: is amputation necessary?

Successful management of sarcomas of the extremities in children implies not only achievement of local control but also satisfactory function and maintenance of the growth potential. The popliteal and antecubital fossae, because of their complex neurovascular anatomy, all of which is essential, make resection with satisfactory margins difficult. We reviewed our experience with 14 patients (3 to 20 years old; median, 13 years) with soft tissue sarcomas arising in the popliteal (11 patients) or antecubital (3 patients) fossae. There were four rhabdomyosarcomas (3 alveolar, 1 embryonal) and 10 other sarcomas, the most frequent being synovial sarcoma (5 patients). Chemotherapy was given to all patients with rhabdomyosarcomas. The one patient presenting with metastatic disease was treated, after biopsy of the primary, by chemotherapy and radiation and survived 21 months. In three patients, the primary management was an above-the-knee amputation and two of three survived (3 and 43 months). In 10 patients a wide local excision of the primary tumor was performed. Radiation therapy was administered to five, either as external beam (3 patients) or as brachytherapy (2 patients). In this group, there were no local recurrences. Four patients remain free of disease (4 months to 18 years) and one developed pulmonary metastasis. Among the five non-irradiated patients, three developed local recurrences, requiring above-the-knee amputation for disease. The fourth patient relapsed in the lung and only one of the five is free of disease at 36 months. Of the 8 patients not treated with amputation, one acquired a leg length discrepancy, which required correction, and one has a minimal extension deficit of the knee.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Laparoscopic splenectomy in childhood.

The authors describe their technique for laparoscopic splenectomy in childhood. Five ports, including one 12-mm port for an endoscopic stapler, are placed. With the patient in the supine position, the short gastric vessels are divided between clips. The patient is then placed in the lateral decubitus position for mobilization of the splenic flexure of the colon, division of the posterolateral ligamentous attachments, and en masse transection of the splenic hilum using the EndoGIA stapler. The freed spleen is placed in a nylon reinforced Lap Sac, which is exteriorized at the neck. The spleen is morcellated and the sac removed. Concomitant cholecystectomy is performed in patients with hereditary spherocytosis who have cholelithiasis or sludge. The procedure has been performed without complication in six patients who had hematologic disorders. For another patient, the procedure was converted to an open splenectomy to achieve better hemostasis.

Primary malignancy of the salivary gland in children.

Seventeen pediatric patients with a major salivary gland malignancy (16 parotid, 1 submaxillary) were reviewed. Eight patients presented with carcinoma. The usual presentation was a mass over the affected gland. Six patients had localized disease, which was treated by excision. This was accomplished by either a total or subtotal parotidectomy or resection of the submaxillary gland. Two patients received adjuvant radiation therapy. All six patients with localized carcinoma are alive, without evidence of disease. Two patients presented with metastatic disease and died of the disease despite treatment with multiagent chemotherapy, and in one case, radiation therapy. Nine patients had rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). The usual presentation was a mass at the angle of the mandible. Five patients had involvement of one or more cranial nerves, and two had concomitant cervical adenopathy. Eight patients had a biopsy and then were treated according to an existing prospective institutional protocol. The ninth patient initially underwent a superficial parotidectomy. Seven patients received radiation therapy. In one patient, rapid progression of the disease precluded this treatment. Seven patients died of progressive local and distant disease 2 months to 2 years (median, 6 months) from the time of diagnosis. Two patients are alive, without evidence of disease, 3 and 7 years after presentation. We conclude that carcinoma should be managed with complete excision. For RMS of the salivary gland, a biopsy should be performed, and treatment should consist of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Breast malignancy in children.

In 25 years, 18 patients with breast cancer were treated at St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 16 were female and 2 were male. The patients presented with primary malignancy (2), metastatic disease (13), or secondary malignancy (3). One of the females with primary breast malignancy had alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. She was treated with wide excision and is currently receiving chemotherapy. The other patient presented with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the right breast. After biopsy, she was treated with chemotherapy. Of 13 patients with metastatic disease, the primary lesion was rhabdomyosarcoma in nine. One patient each had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, neuroblastoma, and signet-cell adenocarcinoma. All patients with metastatic disease to the breast died of the disease. Three females presented with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast after treatment for Hodgkin's disease. Two underwent mastectomy and are alive without evidence of disease. One patient refused therapy and died of the second malignancy. We conclude that (1) breast malignancies had three distinctly different presentations in our patients, (2) the breasts of pediatric oncology patients should be carefully and routinely examined for metastatic disease, and (3) metastatic disease in the breast of a child is a manifestation of disseminated disease and is associated with an extremely poor prognosis.

Indications for hemiscrotectomy in the management of genitourinary tumors in children.

In the last 30 years at St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 10 boys have undergone hemiscrotectomy for primary testicular tumors or paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma. Indications for this procedure were scrotal contamination and positive or uncertain surgical margins. Residual tumor was found in only one specimen. There were four complications in the study group. Two patients had complications directly attributable to the hemiscrotectomy, and in one patient this caused a delay in treatment. Preoperative imaging was performed in three patients. This has not been helpful in evaluating residual masses and is not indicated. Based on the authors' experience and a review of the literature, there are a number of indications for hemiscrotectomy in the management of genitourinary tumors in children. Controversies regarding some of these indications should be discussed with the families of these patients during preoperative counseling.

Exposure to fumes in typical New Zealand welding operations.

Sixteen welders, welding under typical New Zealand conditions, had ambient air within their welding helmets sampled and analysed for ozone, nitrogen oxides, fluoride, carbon monoxide, aluminium, chromium, iron, nickel, zinc and total dust. Postshift urinary metals were also analysed, and a respiratory questionnaire completed for each welder. Levels above the New Zealand Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) were found for nitrogen dioxide in four welders (two TIG, one MMA and one plasma cutter), and for total chromium in one plasma cutter, who also had a nickel level of 24% of the WES. Dust levels were highest in the plasma cutters, with one reaching 8.67 mg/m3 (WES = 5 mg/m3). Urinary levels however did not indicate excessive short or long term uptake. Where efficient fume extraction was in use, levels of air contaminants were lower than with natural ventilation. Respiratory symptoms were reported by 67% of welders, 38% meeting criteria for chronic bronchitis (relative risk = 2.0). Smoking welders reported more symptoms than nonsmoking welders.