Collating evidence to support the validation of a simulated laparotomy incision and closure-training model.

BACKGROUND: It is essential to evaluate the functionality of surgical simulation models, in order to determine whether they perform as intended. In this study, we assessed the use of a simulated laparotomy incision and closure-training model by collating validity evidence to determine its utility as well as pre and post-test interval data. METHOD: This was a quantitative study design, informed by Messick's unified validity framework. In total, 93 participants (surgical trainees â€‹= â€‹80, experts â€‹= â€‹13) participated in this study. Evaluation of content validity and the models' relationships with other variables was conducted, along with a pre and post-test confidence assessment. RESULTS: The model was deemed realistic and useful as a teaching tool, providing strong content validity evidence. In assessment of relationships with other variables, the expert group out-performed the novice group conclusively. Pre and post-test evaluation reported a statistically significant increase in confidence levels. CONCLUSION: We present strong validity evidence of a novel laparotomy incision and closure simulation-training model.

[A new method of aponevrosis suturing after laparotomy in urgent abdominal surgery]. / Sposob ushivaniia aponevroza posle laparotomii v urgentnoi khirurgii.

OBJECTIVE: To improve the results of treatment of patients undergoing laparotomy by using of a new method of aponeurosis suturing after laparotomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Training process for a new method of aponeurosis suturing after laparotomy was organized on the patented medical simulator for learning the technique of laparotomy closure. The method was introduced into surgical practice later. The study involved 130 patients who underwent emergency abdominal surgery through median laparotomy. The main group consisted of 70 patients (laparotomy closure using the proposed method (RF patent No.2644846 dated 02/14/18). Interrupted sutures were applied for aponeurosis suturing in the control group. RESULTS: Duration of laparotomy closure was similar in both groups. Postoperative ventral hernias in 1 year after surgery occurred in 5 (8%) patients of the main group and in 11 (18%) patients of the control group. CONCLUSION: The proposed method of aponeurosis suturing after laparotomy is mastered by students and serves as effective method for prevention of postoperative ventral hernias and eventration.

Consenso para la apertura y cierre de laparotomía media supra-infraumbilical utilizando metodología Delphi / Midline laparotomy technique consensus using the Delphi method

INTRODUCCIÓN: Una de las vías de acceso a la cavidad abdominal es la laparotomía media, siendo uno de los riesgos más temidos las complicaciones postoperatorias, las cuales pueden disminuirse con difusión de una adecuada técnica quirúrgica. OBJETIVO: Generar un consenso de expertos con pasos clave para realizar una laparotomía media supra-infraumbilical, a través de la metodología Delphi. MATERIALES Y MÉTODO: Por medio de una revisión de la literatura se extrajo el detalle de 37 pasos considerados en el procedimiento, organizado en secciones de preparación, apertura y cierre, siendo evaluados por un grupo de cirujanos de 7 hospitales docentes de Chile, mediante una encuesta online. RESULTADOS: El consenso se alcanzó en dos rondas, con 28 de los 37 pasos extraídos de la literatura, considerados importantes o muy importantes para la enseñanza de la técnica. Discusión: De los 28 pasos identificados como importantes, existe un alto grado de acuerdo para la preparación y apertura de una laparotomía, a diferencia del cierre en el cual no se observa una preferencia clara entre el cierre en una o varias capas entre el peritoneo y la fascia, debiendo analizarse en cada caso específico. CONCLUSIÓN: La identificación de 28 pasos estandarizados constituye un aporte en los programas de formación de residentes y en el desarrollo de modelos de simulación adecuados para la replicación del procedimiento. El aprendizaje correcto de la técnica basado en evidencia es fundamental para disminuir el riesgo de complicaciones asociadas, especialmente en el postoperatorio.

INTRODUCTION: Traditionally, the main surgical technique to access the abdominal cavity has been midline incision laparotomy, being postoperative complications a main concern. Proper teaching-learning methods could help improving the success of this procedure. AIM: Establish an expert's consensus throughout the Delphi Methodology regarding the main steps that need to be considered in a midline laparotomy. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Literature review was conducted, 37 steps were identified and grouped in 3 sections; preparation of the skin, opening incision, and closure. These steps were evaluated online by surgeons of 7 teaching hospitals in Chile. RESULTS: Consensus was reached in two rounds, 28 of the 37 steps were identified as important or very important for the procedure. DISCUSSION: There is a high level of agreement in steps related to preparation of the skin and opening incision. However, there is not a consensus regarding closure of the peritoneum and fascia in one or more layers, being a case to case decision. CONCLUSIONS: Establishment of 28 standardized steps constitutes a contribution to resident teaching programs and the development of simulation materials as an active learning strategy. Satisfactory learning outcomes have a direct impact in the success of the procedure and a lower rate of complications.

Gas off, room lights on: Shedding light on the surgical resident's experience in open and laparoscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND: The operative experience of today's surgery residents is different than years past. Although overall volume remains stable, the composition is changing. As such, trends in open versus laparoscopic surgery for general surgery residents were examined. METHODS: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education national operative log reports from 1994 to 2018 were analyzed for the 15 operations recorded as both open and laparoscopic. Operative volume was examined for total major, surgeon chief, and surgeon junior cases. RESULTS: From 1994 to 2018, 26,258 residents graduated with 955.2 ± 31.7 total major cases. The 15 identified operations comprised 38.4% of this volume. During the 25-year study period, laparoscopic volume increased (+9.67 cases per year), whereas open volume decreased (-3.25 cases per year, P < .0001 for each). Similar trends were seen for both chief and surgeon junior cases (P < .05 for both). For 2 of the 4 core general surgery operations examined (hernia and proctocolectomy), the open approach was still the dominant approach, providing residents an opportunity to perform open surgery in an era of increasing minimally invasive approaches. CONCLUSION: For select procedures, the frequency of laparoscopy has surpassed open surgery for general surgery residents. These trends raise the concern that when necessary, general surgery graduates may not have adequate experience converting to open.

Cumulative sum analysis of learning curve for video-assisted mini-laparotomy partial nephrectomy in renal cell carcinoma.

Video-assisted mini-laparotomy surgery (VAMS), a hybrid of open and laparoscopic surgical techniques, is an important surgical approach in the field of partial nephrectomy. The learning curve for VAMS partial nephrectomy has not been studied to date; we therefore, evaluated this learning curve.We prospectively evaluated 20 consecutive patients who underwent VAMS partial nephrectomy performed by a single surgeon (YEY) between March 2015 and December 2016. The learning curve was evaluated using the cumulative sum method. The measure of surgical performance was composed of 3 parameters (total operation time [Op time], warm ischemic time [WIT], and estimated blood loss [EBL]).Among the 20 patients who underwent VAMS partial nephrectomy, the mean age was 54.6 years. The mean Op time and WIT were 172.5 and 28.8 minutes, respectively. The learning curve for the Op time, WIT, and EBL consisted of 3 unique phases: phase 1 (the first 7 cases), phase 2 (the next 5 to 7 cases), and phase 3 (all subsequent cases). Phase 1 represents the initial learning curve, and the phase 2 plateau represents the period of expert competency. Phase 3 represents when one is competent in VAMS partial nephrectomy.The learning curve for VAMS partial nephrectomy is relatively short and after a learning curve of approximately 7 cases, the surgeon became familiar with VAMS partial nephrectomy; after 12 to 14 cases, the surgeon became competent in this procedure.

Cumulative sum analysis of the learning curve for video-assisted minilaparotomy donor nephrectomy in healthy kidney donors.

Video-assisted minilaparotomy surgery (VAMS) is a hybrid of open and laparoscopic surgical techniques, so has advantages of both approaches. Here, we examined the learning curve for this procedure.We retrospectively evaluated 50 consecutive patients who underwent VAMS donor nephrectomy performed by a single surgeon (YEY) between March 2015 and March 2016. The learning curve was evaluated using the cumulative sum (CUSUM) method. Measures of surgical performance included total operation time, warm ischemic time, and estimated blood loss.The mean patient age, body mass index, and body surface area were 43.5 years, 23.8 kg/m, and 1.7 m, respectively. The mean operation time and warm ischemic time were 160.0 minutes and 124.4 seconds. The learning curve of total operation time was best modeled as a second-order polynomial with equation CUSUMOT (minutes) = -0.3802 × case number + 20.315 × case number - 41.333 (R = 0.7707). The curve included 3 unique phases: phase 1 (the initial 17 cases), which is the initial learning curve; phase 2 (the middle 23 cases), expert competence, and phase 3 (the subsequent cases), mastery. In terms of warm ischemic time and estimated blood loss, the initial learning was achieved after 16 cases and after 9 to 10 cases, one could achieve competency.The VAMS donor nephrectomy learning curve is shorter than for laparoscopic or robotic hand-assisted donor nephrectomy. Surgeons can become familiar with the procedure and perform it without complications after approximately 16 to 17 operations.

Evaluation of a method to assess digitally recorded surgical skills of novice veterinary students.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a method to assess surgical skills of veterinary students that is based on digital recording of their performance during closure of a celiotomy in canine cadavers. SAMPLE POPULATION: Second year veterinary students without prior experience with live animal or simulated surgical procedure (n = 19) METHODS: Each student completed a 3-layer closure of a celiotomy on a canine cadaver. Each procedure was digitally recorded with a single small wide-angle camera mounted to the overhead surgical light. The performance was scored by 2 of 5 trained raters who were unaware of the identity of the students. Scores were based on an 8-item rubric that was created to evaluate surgical skills that are required to close a celiotomy. The reliability of scores was tested with Cronbach's α, intraclass correlation, and a generalizability study. RESULTS: The internal consistency of the grading rubric, as measured by α, was .76. Interrater reliability, as measured by intraclass correlation, was 0.64. The generalizability coefficient was 0.56. CONCLUSION: Reliability measures of 0.60 and above have been suggested as adequate to assess low-stakes skills. The task-specific grading rubric used in this study to evaluate veterinary surgical skills captured by a single wide-angle camera mounted to an overhead surgical light produced scores with acceptable internal consistency, substantial interrater reliability, and marginal generalizability. IMPACT: Evaluation of veterinary students' surgical skills by using digital recordings with a validated rubric improves flexibility when designing accurate assessments.

Safety, productivity and predicted contribution of a surgical task-sharing programme in Sierra Leone.

BACKGROUND: Surgical task-sharing may be central to expanding the provision of surgical care in low-resource settings. The aims of this paper were to describe the set-up of a new surgical task-sharing training programme for associate clinicians and junior doctors in Sierra Leone, assess its productivity and safety, and estimate its future role in contributing to surgical volume. METHODS: This prospective observational study from a consortium of 16 hospitals evaluated crude in-hospital mortality over 5 years and productivity of operations performed during and after completion of a 3-year surgical training programme. RESULTS: Some 48 trainees and nine graduated surgical assistant community health officers (SACHOs) participated in 27 216 supervised operations between January 2011 and July 2016. During training, trainees attended a median of 822 operations. SACHOs performed a median of 173 operations annually. Caesarean section, hernia repair and laparotomy were the most common procedures during and after training. Crude in-hospital mortality rates after caesarean sections and laparotomies were 0·7 per cent (13 of 1915) and 4·3 per cent (7 of 164) respectively for operations performed by trainees, and 0·4 per cent (5 of 1169) and 8·0 per cent (11 of 137) for those carried out by SACHOs. Adjusted for patient sex, surgical procedure, urgency and hospital, mortality was lower for operations performed by trainees (OR 0·47, 95 per cent c.i. 0·32 to 0·71; P < 0·001) and SACHOs (OR 0·16, 0·07 to 0·41; P < 0·001) compared with those conducted by trainers and supervisors. CONCLUSION: SACHOs rapidly and safely achieved substantial increases in surgical volume in Sierra Leone.

The Adoption of Single-port Laparoscopy for Full Staging of Endometrial Cancer: Surgical and Oncology Outcomes and Evaluation of the Learning Curve.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To study the safety, feasibility, learning curve, and surgical outcome for single-port laparoscopic full staging of endometrial cancer. DESIGN: A retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-3). SETTING: A university academic hospital. PATIENTS: Women with endometrial cancer undergoing single-port laparoscopic full surgical staging. INTERVENTIONS: This was a single-center, retrospective consecutive study of patients undergoing single-port laparoscopic full staging of endometrial cancer from March 2012 to December 2015. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: One hundred ten consecutive cases were included in the study. The mean age was 63 years (standard deviation = 14), and the mean body mass index was 34 kg/m2 (standard deviation = 7). Medical comorbidity was noted in 62% (68/110) of patients, and 55% (61/110) of patients had previous abdominal surgery. Preoperative histology included grade 1 (63%), grade 2 (23%), grade 3 (4%), papillary serous (6%), clear cell (3%), and mixed (1%). Postoperatively, 73% of patients were stage I, 2% were stage II, 21% were stage III, and 4% were stage IV. The conversion rate to multiple ports or to laparotomy was 6.3%. The average total surgical time was 186 minutes. Comparing the last 30 cases of our cohort with the first 20, there was a significant improvement in the reduction of the total operative time (191 vs 152 minutes, p = .036), estimated blood loss (389 vs 121 mL, p = .002), conversion rate (20 % vs 0%, p = .02), and rate of surgical complication (10% vs. 0%, p = .03). The readmission rate was 11% (12/110) with 75% of those patients being readmitted for surgical indications and 25% for medical indications. The rate of ventral hernia was 1.8% (2/110) with an average follow-up of 298 days (31-1085 days). CONCLUSION: Single-port laparoscopic staging of endometrial cancer is a safe and feasible technique to introduce into a gynecologic oncology practice that is compatible with other minimally invasive modalities with similar complication rates, discharge timing, and operative times. Drastic improvement in surgical time can be seen after approximately the first 20 cases.

Open abdominal surgical training differences experienced by integrated vascular and general surgery residents.

BACKGROUND: As the integrated vascular residency program reaches almost a decade of maturity, a common area of concern among trainees is the adequacy of open abdominal surgical training. It is our belief that although their overall exposure to open abdominal procedures has decreased, integrated vascular residents have an adequate and focused exposure to open aortic surgery during training. METHODS: National operative case log data supplied by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education were compiled for both graduating integrated vascular surgery residents (IVSRs) and graduating categorical general surgery residents (GSRs) for the years 2012 to 2014. Mean total and open abdominal case numbers were compared between the IVSRs and GSRs, with more in-depth exploration into open abdominal procedures by organ system. RESULTS: Overall, the mean total 5-year case volume of IVSRs was 1168 compared with 980 for GSRs during the same time frame (P < .0001). IVSRs reported nearly double the number of surgeon-chief cases compared with GSRs (452 vs 239; P < .0001). GSRs reported more than double the number of open abdominal procedures compared with IVSRs (205 vs 83; P < .0001). Sixty-five percent of the open abdominal experience for IVSRs was focused on procedures involving the aorta and its branches, with an average of 54 open aortic cases recorded throughout their training. The largest single contributor to open surgical experience for a GSR was alimentary tract surgery, representing 57% of all open abdominal cases. GSRs completed an average of 116 open alimentary tract surgeries during their training. Open abdominal surgery represented an average of 7.1% of the total vascular case volume for the vascular residents, whereas open abdominal surgery represented 21% of a GSR's total surgical experience. CONCLUSIONS: IVSRs reported almost double the number of total cases during their training, with double chief-level cases. Sixty-five percent of open abdominal surgeries performed by IVSRs involved the aorta or its renovisceral branches. Whereas open abdominal surgery represented 7.1% of an IVSR's surgical training, GSRs had a far broader scope of open abdominal procedures, completing nearly double those of IVSRs. The differences in open abdominal procedures pertain to the differing diseases treated by GSRs and IVSRs.

Construct validity of a novel, objective evaluation tool for the basics of open laparotomy training using a simulated model.

BACKGROUND: We describe initial success in designing and implementing an objective evaluation for opening and closing a simulated abdomen. METHODS: (1) An assessment for laparotomy was created using peer-reviewed literature, texts, and the input of academic surgeons nationally; (2) the assessment was evaluated for construct validity, comparing the videotaped performance of laparotomy by surgical experts and novices on a viscoelastic model; and (3) the basics of open laparotomy training (BOLT) curriculum was piloted with junior residents to evaluate efficacy at improving performance. RESULTS: Experts performed better than novices opening (.94 vs .51; P < .001), closing (.85 vs .16; P < .001), and overall performance (.88 vs .27; P < .001). Novices caused bowel injury more frequently (5 vs 1; P < .05) and took longer to open the abdomen (6:06 vs 3:43; P = .01). After completing the BOLT curriculum, novices improved for opening (1.00 vs .50; P = .014), closing (.80 vs .10; P = .014), and overall score (.87 vs .23; P = .014). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate construct validity of an evaluation tool for simulated laparotomy, and pilot efforts with the BOLT curriculum have shown promise.

The marriage of surgical simulation and telementoring for damage-control surgical training of operational first responders: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable posttraumatic death. Many such deaths may be potentially salvageable with remote damage-control surgical interventions. As recent innovations in information technology enable remote specialist support to point-of-care providers, advanced interventions, such as remote damage-control surgery, may be possible in remote settings. METHODS: An anatomically realistic perfused surgical training mannequin with intrinsic fluid loss measurements (the "Cut Suit") was used to study perihepatic packing with massive liver hemorrhage. The primary outcome was loss of simulated blood (water) during six stages, namely, incision, retraction, direction, identification, packing, and postpacking. Six fully credentialed surgeons performed the same task as 12 military medical technicians who were randomized to remotely telementored (RTM) (n = 7) or unmentored (UTM) (n=5) real-time guidance by a trauma surgeon. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in fluid loss between the surgeons and the UTM group or between the UTM and RTM groups. However, when comparing the RTM group with the surgeons, there was significantly more total fluid loss (p = 0.001) and greater loss during the identification (p = 0.002), retraction (p = 0.035), direction (p = 0.014), and packing(p = 0.022) stages. There were no significant differences in fluid loss after packing between the groups despite differences in the number of sponges used; RTM group used more sponges than the surgeons and significantly more than the UTM group (p = 0.048). However, mentoring significantly increased self-assessed nonsurgeon procedural confidence (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Perihepatic packing of an exsanguinating liver hemorrhage model was readily performed by military medical technicians after a focused briefing. While real-time telementoring did not improve fluid loss, it significantly increased nonsurgeon procedural confidence, which may augment the feasibility of the concept by allowing them to undertake psychologically daunting procedures.

[Comparison of the results of laparotomy and laparoscopic surgery in patients with Crohn's disease]. / A nyitott és minimálisan invazív beavatkozások eredményeinek összehasonlítása Crohn-betegségben.

INTRODUCTION: Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease which may affect different parts of the gastrointestinal tract. AIM: To compare retrospectively the results of laparotomy and laparoscopic surgery performed in patients with Crohn's disease between January 1, 2005 and October 31, 2012 in the Department of Surgery, University of Szeged, Hungary. METHOD: Patients were divided into two groups based on the types of surgery; 103 patients underwent laparotomy and 30 patients had laparoscopic surgery programmed. 22 patients had 24 primary acute interventions. RESULTS: The mean age was significantly lower in the laparoscopic surgery group (p = 0.042). The laparoscopic ileocecal resections have been found significantly shorter than laparotomies (p = 0.033). When ileocecal resection was performed the operation time was significantly longer (p = 0.033) while hospitalization time (p = 0.025) and intensive care unit treatment time (p<0.001) were shorter and the bowel passage also started earlier in the laparoscopic group as compared to the laparotomy group. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic surgery results in smaller surgical trauma, better cosmetic outcome, shorter hospitalization time and not higher complication- and morbidity-rate as well as shorter operation time in certain cases. However, it requires more qualified surgical team and the operation expenses are higher.

Design and validation of an assessment tool for open surgical procedures.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy is currently the gold standard for cholecystectomy. Recent literature suggests surgical trainees have limited exposure to open cholecystectomy, which may result in suboptimal performance in the event of conversion. Furthermore, most training and assessment models are designed for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with limited opportunities for open simulator training. The present study's purpose was to design an inexpensive model for open cholecystectomy and to validate a performance assessment tool. METHODS: The simulator comprises a porcine liver and gallbladder in a mock human abdomen with silicon skin. The assessment tool utilizes inexpensive infrared (IR) cameras to provide tracking of participant hand motions. Eleven novice general surgery trainees (<20 cholecystectomies) and five expert surgeons (>100 cholecystectomies) completed an open cholecystectomy using the simulator. Procedures were recorded and assessed by a blinded evaluator using a global rating scale. Tracking data analysis was based on number of movements and total path length. RESULTS: Novices (t = 36.18 min) completed the procedure significantly slower than did experts (t = 19.53 min) (Mann-Whitney test U = 20, p < 0.05) and had significantly more hand movements (Mann-Whitney test U = 20, p < 0.05). Analysis of the total global rating scale scores showed a significant difference between novice (14/35) and expert (24/35) performance in all categories (Mann-Whitney test U = 58, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present model presents a realistic, low-cost tool for training and assessment of procedural skills in open cholecystectomy. The study demonstrated the validity of the IR tracking device as an objective assessment tool for open surgical skills training. Future training should incorporate this low-cost, highly effective training device into surgical curricula.

Are open abdominal procedures a thing of the past? An analysis of graduating general surgery residents' case logs from 2000 to 2011.

INTRODUCTION: Since the introduction of laparoscopic surgery for cholecystectomy in 1989, the growth of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has increased significantly in the United States. There is a growing concern that the pendulum has now shifted too far toward MIS and that current general surgery residents' exposure to open abdominal procedures is lacking. OBJECTIVE: We sought to analyze trends in open vs MIS intra-abdominal procedures performed by residents graduating from US general surgery residency programs over the past twelve years. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the data from the ACGME national resident case log reports for graduating US general surgery residents from 2000 to 2011. We analyzed the average number of cases per graduating chief resident for the following surgical procedures: appendectomy, inguinal/femoral hernia repair, gastrostomy, colectomy, antireflux procedures, and cholecystectomy. RESULTS: For all the procedures analyzed, except antireflux procedures, a statistically significant increase in the number of MIS cases was seen. The increases in MIS procedures were as follows: appendectomy, 8.5 to 46 (542%); inguinal/femoral hernia repair, 7.6 to 23.3 (265%); gastrostomy, 1.4 to 3 (114%); colectomy, 1.8 to 18.2 (1011%); and cholecystectomy, 84 to 105.7 (26%). The p value was set at <0.001 for all procedures. There has been a concomitant decrease in the number of open procedures. The numbers of open appendectomy decreased from 30.9 to 15.5 (p < 0.0001), open inguinal/femoral hernia repair from 52.1 to 48 (p = 0.0038), open gastrostomy from 7.7 to 4.9 (p = 0.0094), open colectomy from 48 to 40.7 (p < 0.0001), open cholecystectomy from 15.5 to 10.4 (p = 0.0005), and open antireflux procedures from 4.7 to 1.7 (p < 0.001). An analysis conducted over time reveals that the rates of increase in MIS procedures in 5 of the 6 categories continue to rise, whereas the rates of open appendectomy, open colectomy, and open antireflux procedures continue to decrease. However, the rates of decline of open hernia repairs and open gastrostomies seem to have plateaued. CONCLUSIONS: The performance of open procedures in general surgery residency has declined significantly in the past 12 years. The effect of the decline in open cases in surgical training and practice remains to be determined.

Does a new surgical residency program increase operating room times?

BACKGROUND: Our country faces a shortage of surgeons; hence, we may anticipate the development of new surgery residencies. Therefore, the question of the effect of a new program on operating room times (ORT) is important. Our primary aim was to compare ORT of 3 common procedures done by attendings alone vs ORT of cases with residents. METHODS: We queried records of 1458 patients from the JFK Medical Center database for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, open inguinal hernia repair, and laparoscopic appendectomy from July 2010 to July 2012. We divided the sample into 2 groups: "attending alone" (2010-2011) and "with residents" (2011-2012). The ORT was calculated by "Cut time" and "Close time," as recorded in the OR. ORT for both groups was calculated using the unpaired t test. RESULTS: Of the total number of patients, 778 underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 407 underwent open inguinal hernia repair, and 273 underwent laparoscopic appendectomy; of these, 620, 315, and 211 procedures, respectively, were done by the attending alone and 158, 92, and 62, respectively, were done with residents. Differences in ORT for the 3 types of surgery were statistically significant (p < 0.001). There was no statistical significance when comparing the first half with the second half of the academic year for residents' ORT. CONCLUSIONS: Resident involvement increases ORT. Cost analysis considering OR time and anesthesia time vs federal funding for Graduate Medical Education is complicated. The benefit of new programs in diminishing the shortage of surgeons cannot be underestimated.

Porcine wet lab improves surgical skills in third year medical students.

BACKGROUND: Medical students desire to become proficient in surgical techniques and believe their acquisition is important. However, the operating room is a challenging learning environment. Small group procedural workshops can improve confidence, participation, and performance. The use of fresh animal tissues has been rated highly among students and improves their surgical technique. Greater exposure to surgical procedures and staff could positively influence students' interest in surgical careers. We hypothesized that a porcine "wet lab" course for third year medical students would improve their surgical skills. METHODS: Two skills labs were conducted for third year medical students during surgery clerkships in the fall of 2011. The students' surgical skills were first evaluated in the operating room across nine dimensions. Next, the students performed the following procedures during the skills lab: (1) laparotomy; (2) small bowel resection; (3) splenectomy; (4) partial hepatectomy; (5) cholecystectomy; (6) interrupted abdominal wall closure; (7) running abdominal wall closure; and (8) skin closure. After the skills lab, the students were re-evaluated in the operating room across the same nine dimensions. Student feedback was also recorded. Fifty-one participants provided pre- and post-lab data for use in the final analysis. RESULTS: The mean scores for all nine surgical skills improved significantly after participation in the skills lab (P ≤ 0.002). Cumulative post-test scores also showed significant improvement (P = 0.002). Finally, the student feedback was largely positive. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical skills of third year medical students improved significantly after participation in a porcine wet lab, and the students rated the experience as highly educational. Integration into the surgery clerkship curriculum would promote surgical skill proficiency and could elicit interest in surgical careers.

Assessing trainee impact on operative time for common general surgical procedures in ACS-NSQIP.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of surgical trainee involvement on operative time for common surgical procedures. Laparoscopic appendectomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and open inguinal hernia repair comprise 17.7% of the total cases sampled in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database. These cases are commonly performed by residents at varying levels of surgical training. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was performed using American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data from 2005 through 2008 selecting patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and open inguinal hernia repair. The primary outcome was operative time and predictive variables were resident involvement and training level. Linear regression analysis was used to compare operative times between cases performed by an attending alone and those assisted by junior (postgraduate year 1-2) or senior (postgraduate year 3-5) trainees, adjusting for patient and operative factors. RESULTS: A total of 115,535 surgical cases were included, with 65,364 (59%) performed with junior or senior surgical residents. Resident participation was associated with higher operative times with no significant differences between the junior and senior cohorts; this effect persisted after controlling for potential confounding factors. Operative time increased by 16.6 minutes (95% confidence interval, 16.2-17.0) for junior residents and also by 16.6 minutes (95% confidence interval, 16.2-16.9) for senior residents. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical trainees' participation in common surgical procedures is associated with an increase in total operative time, with no difference between trainee seniority levels. This finding may be significant in assessing the impact of residency training programs on hospital efficiency.

Perioperative care in an animal model for training in abdominal surgery: is it necessary a preoperative fasting? / Cuidados perioperatórios em modelo animal de treinamento em cirurgia abdominal: é necessário jejum pré-operatório?

PURPOSE: Demonstrate that the rabbit may be used in the training of surgery, in addition to present its perioperative care. METHODS: Thirty two animals, with age and weight, respectively, from 3 to 5.5 months old and 3000 to 4200 grams, were undergone different periods of pre-operative fasting, exclusive intramuscular anesthesia (ketamine+xylazine), laparotomy with total gastrectomy and total splenectomy. It was dosed the pre-operative (initial) and post-surgical (end) serum blood glucose, in addition to quantify the gastric content after the resection of the part. RESULTS: The anesthetical-surgical procedure presented a mortality rate of 3.125 percent (1:32) and a morbidity rate of 6.25 percent (2:32). It was evidenced an initial mean blood glucose = 199.4 mg/dl and the end = 326.1 mg/dl. In spite of extended fasting (minimum of 2 hours for the absolute fasting and maximum of 8.5 hours for liquids, and 20.5 hours for solids) all animals presented at the end of the surgical procedure any gastric content and a blood glucose increase. Those with fasting for liquids and solids when compared to the quantity of solid gastric content, presented a moderate negative degree of correlation. CONCLUSION: The rabbit is a good model to be used in training of surgery, with a low morbi-mortality, able to be anesthetized intramuscularly, with no need of pre-operative fasting and does not present hypoglycemia even with the extended fasting period.

OBJETIVO: Demonstrar que o coelho pode ser utilizado no treinamento em cirurgia, além de apresentar seus cuidados perioperatórios. MÉTODOS: Trinta e dois animais, com idade e peso respectivamente, entre 3 a 5,5 meses e 3000 a 4200 gramas, foram submetidos a variados tempos de jejum pré-operatório, anestesia intramuscular exclusiva (quetamina+xilasina), laparotomia com gastrectomia e esplenectomia totais. Dosou-se a glicemia sérica pré-operatória (inicial) e pós-cirúrgica (final), além de quantificado o conteúdo gástrico pós-gastrectomia. RESULTADOS: O procedimento anestésico-cirúrgico apresentou taxa de mortalidade de 3,125 por cento (1:32) e morbidade de 6,25 por cento (2:32). Evidenciou-se glicemia média inicial = 199,4 mg/dl e final = 326,1 mg/dl. Apesar de jejuns prolongados (mínimo de 2 horas para jejum absoluto e máximo de 8,5 horas para líquidos, e 20,5 horas para sólidos) todos os animais apresentaram no final do procedimento cirúrgico algum conteúdo gástrico e aumento da glicemia. Aqueles com jejum para líquidos e sólidos quando comparados com a quantidade de conteúdo gástrico sólido e total apresentaram grau moderadamente negativo de correlação linear. CONCLUSÃO: O coelho é um bom modelo para ser utilizado em treinamento de cirurgia, com baixa morbimortalidade, passível de ser anestesiado por via intramuscular, sem necessidade de jejum pré-operatório e ausência de hipoglicemia.

Perioperative care in an animal model for training in abdominal surgery: is it necessary a preoperative fasting?

PURPOSE: Demonstrate that the rabbit may be used in the training of surgery, in addition to present its perioperative care. METHODS: Thirty two animals, with age and weight, respectively, from 3 to 5.5 months old and 3000 to 4200 grams, were undergone different periods of pre-operative fasting, exclusive intramuscular anesthesia (ketamine+xylazine), laparotomy with total gastrectomy and total splenectomy. It was dosed the pre-operative (initial) and post-surgical (end) serum blood glucose, in addition to quantify the gastric content after the resection of the part. RESULTS: The anesthetical-surgical procedure presented a mortality rate of 3.125% (1:32) and a morbidity rate of 6.25% (2:32). It was evidenced an initial mean blood glucose = 199.4 mg/dl and the end = 326.1 mg/dl. In spite of extended fasting (minimum of 2 hours for the absolute fasting and maximum of 8.5 hours for liquids, and 20.5 hours for solids) all animals presented at the end of the surgical procedure any gastric content and a blood glucose increase. Those with fasting for liquids and solids when compared to the quantity of solid gastric content, presented a moderate negative degree of correlation. CONCLUSION: The rabbit is a good model to be used in training of surgery, with a low morbi-mortality, able to be anesthetized intramuscularly, with no need of pre-operative fasting and does not present hypoglycemia even with the extended fasting period.