The end game - A quantitative assessment tool for anastomosis in simulated microsurgery.

With the move towards simulation based microsurgical training and emphasis on the declining usage of animal models, there is a need for an objective method to evaluate microvascular anastomosis in a non-living, simulated microsurgical training environment. Our aim was to create a validated assessment tool to evaluate the intimal surface of the end product to measure skills acquisition. The intimal surface of 200 anastomoses from 23 candidates and 2 experts were assessed using ImageJ to measure 4 parameters: 1) distance between the distal insertion points, 2) distance between the proximal insertion points, 3) length of sutures placed, 4) number of axes. Using these parameters, a 9-component scoring system was produced based on the hypothesis of the ideal anastomosis having equidistance between the above parameters. The scoring system was devised based on population performance to give a maximum score of 100. The EPIA tool demonstrated its ability to differentiate between seniority from undergraduate to expert. Furthermore, predictive validity was shown by demonstrating skill acquisition between day 3 and 5 of the microsurgery course. The EPIA tool is a valid and feasible method to assess and provide feedback regarding the end product as an adjunct to current scoring systems in simulated microsurgery.

Dispelling misconceptions in the management of familial adenomatous polyposis.

Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis require surgical intervention at some point in their lives. The diagnosis is often apparent from their phenotype and family history, however, this is not always the case. Many factors can influence the surgical strategy although the polyposis burden and distribution remain the main consideration. While prophylactic removal of the rectum and colon is often required, sparing the rectum at the index surgery is safe in select patients. This article aims to dispel misconceptions in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis.

Anastomotic leakage as an outcome measure for quality of colorectal cancer surgery.

INTRODUCTION: When comparing mortality rates between hospitals to explore hospital performance, there is an important role for adjustment for differences in case-mix. Identifying outcome measures that are less influenced by differences in case-mix may be valuable. The main goal of this study was to explore whether hospital differences in anastomotic leakage (AL) and postoperative mortality are due to differences in case-mix or to differences in treatment factors. METHODS: Data of the Dutch Surgical Colorectal Audit were used. Case-mix factors and treatment-related factors were identified from the literature and their association with AL and mortality were analysed with logistic regression. Hospital differences in observed AL and mortality rates, and adjusted rates based on the logistic regression models were shown. The reduction in hospital variance after adjustment was analysed with Levene's test for equality of variances. RESULTS: 17 of 22 case-mix factors and 4 of 11 treatment factors related to AL derived from the literature were available in the database. Variation in observed AL rates between hospitals was large with a maximum rate of 17%. This variation could not be attributed to differences in case-mix but more to differences in treatment factors. Hospital variation in observed mortality rates was significantly reduced after adjustment for differences in case-mix. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital variation in AL is relatively independent of differences in case-mix. In contrast to 'postoperative mortality' the observed AL rates of hospitals evaluated in our study were only slightly affected after adjustment for case-mix factors. Therefore, AL rates may be suitable as an outcome indicator for measurement of surgical quality of care.

Validation of a task-specific scoring system for a microvascular surgery simulation model.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: Simulation models can help develop procedural skills outside the clinical setting while also providing a means for evaluation of trainees. Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) have been developed for several procedures. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the construct validity of an OSATS for microvascular anastomosis performed on a simulation model using chicken thigh vessels. STUDY DESIGN: Validation study. METHODS: An expert panel constructed a task-specific checklist for an OSATS for microvascular anastomosis. Twenty surgical staff and trainees performed a microvascular anastomosis of a chicken ischiatic artery. Training level and microsurgical experience were assessed by questionnaire. The performances were recorded and scored by two experts using the task-specific and global scales of the OSATS. RESULTS: Analysis of variance revealed a significant effect of training and microvascular experience for both the task-specific score and global rating scale score (P < .005). Interrater reliability was 0.7. Experience level demonstrated a logarithmic relationship with task time. CONCLUSIONS: The microvascular OSATS applied to the chicken thigh simulator model differentiated between levels of microvascular experience. It demonstrated construct validity and reliability for the assessment of procedural competence using a cost-effective and easily accessible model.

Can minilaparotomy abdominal aortic aneurysm repair be performed safely and effectively without special skills?

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a surgeon without special skills can perform minimal incision abdominal aortic aneurysm repair as safely and effectively as traditional retroperitoneal aneurysmectomy. METHODS: After informed consent, eligible patients were randomized into minilaparotomy and retroperitoneal groups. The minilaparotomy repair consisted of a short transabdominal midline incision, intraabdominal retraction of the bowel, control of back bleeding with balloon catheters, and hand-sewn anastomoses. The retroperitoneal approach was performed through a left vertical-lateral abdominal incision. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were randomly treated by minilaparotomy approach (n = 14) or retroperitoneal approach (n = 12) from December, 1999, to May 2001. Parameters for speed of recovery were indistinguishable and of no clinical significance. In the long-term follow-up (mean period, 27 months), no patients in the minilaparatomy group complained of discomfort from the incision, whereas 4 patients in the retroperitoneal group complained of discomfort (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Minilaparotomy approach can be performed safely and effectively without specialized skill. With regard to wound discomfort, the minilaparotomy technique is excellent. The minilaparotomy approach is therefore a useful alternative to traditional repair.

Intra-operative quality assessment of coronary artery bypass grafts.

Early coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) failure is a troubling complication that may result in a wide range of problems, including refractory angina, myocardial infarction, low cardiac output, arrhythmia, and fatal heart failure. Early graft failures are related to poor quality and size of the distal native vascular bed, coagulation abnormalities, or technical problems involving the graft conduits and anastomoses. Unfortunately, graft failure is difficult to detect during surgery by visual assessment, palpation, or conventional monitoring. We evaluated the accuracy and utility of a transit-time, ultrasonic flow measurement system for measurement of CABGs. There were no differences between transit-time measurements and volumetric-time collected samples in an in vitro circuit over a range of flows from 10 to 100ml/min (Bland and Altman Plot, 1.96 SD). Two hundred and ninety-eight CABGs were examined in 125 patients. Graft flow rate was proportional to the target vessel diameter. Nine technical errors were detected and corrected. Flow waveform morphology provided valuable information related to the quality of the anastamosis, which led to the immediate correction of technical problems at the time of surgery.

Evaluación de la tolerancia a la alimentación postoperatoria temprana en cirugía enterocolónica electiva / Comparative evaluation in postoperative early feeding in colonic elective surgery

Antecedentes: No se insiste suficientemente en los beneficios del reinicio temprano de las ingestas en el postoperatorio. Objetivo: Cotejar la evolución en cirugía enterocolónica con alimentación temprana (A Temp) y alimentación tardía. Lugar de aplicación: Servicio de Cirugía General de Hospital de Comunidad. Diseño: Estudio prospectivo y randomizado. Población: 57 enfermos; edad 71,4 años (r 47 a 89). Métodos: Grupo A: ingieren a las 24 hs del postoperatorio. Grupo B: sonda nasogástrica cuatro días, alimentación a partir del quinto. Registros: albúmina y transferrina pre y postoperatoria; débito nasogástrico; tiempo hasta la tolerancia, la aparición de peristaltismo y la catarsis; morbimortalidad; estadía; costo. Resultados: A, 30 pacientes; B, 27 pacientes. Albuminemia preoperatoria sin diferencias significativas. Caída de albuminemia postoperatoria en B. Tránsito: más temprano en A. Comienzo de la realimentación: el 80 por ciento del A, a partir de las 24 hs. Intolerancia: en menos de un 8 por ciento. Morbimortalidad: no atribuible a la alimentación (A: un fallecido). Estadía y costo: disminución de la estadía en A (7,04 vs 9,69 días), ahorro de $ 353,00. Conclusiones: No aguardar peristaltismo para realimentar; no hubo mortalidad por Alimentación Temprana; ésta es segura y tolerada en cirugía enterocolónica electiva; se acortó la estadía y se redujeron costos

Laparoscopic-assisted bowel resections in inflammatory bowel disease: state of the art.

The objectives of this paper are to review the rational, the present results and future of laparoscopic-assisted bowel surgery in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Only a few centres in the world report on laparoscopic bowel resection in IBD that include stoma surgery, ileocolic resection, left, right and (sub)total colectomy for Crohn's disease, and subtotal or restorative total proctocolectomy (ileal pouch anal procedures). The combined series report conversion rates between 2.5% and 22.2%. Ileocolic resection, stoma creation, stricturoplasty and segmental small bowel resection are associated with an acceptable length of surgery, but laparoscopic(-assisted) total colectomy or restorative proctocolectomy still demand up to 4-6 hours of operative time. The few randomised studies addressing laparoscopic-assisted (segmental) bowel surgery versus conventional surgery demonstrated significantly less pain, a quicker return to self-care and a shorter hospital stay. The results of the series reporting on laparoscopic-assisted (ileo)colectomy in IBD are similar to those from these randomised studies. Laparoscopic-assisted subtotal colectomy and restorative proctocolectomy have no benefit compared with conventional surgery other than superior cosmesis. Morbidity of laparoscopic (ileo)colectomy in IBD is low, that of laparoscopic-assisted subtotal colectomy and restorative proctocolectomy remains to be seen. The various laparoscopic bowel resections done in IBD are all feasible. The first series describing laparoscopic surgery for IBD indicate that laparoscopic-assisted segmental (ileo)colectomy is safe and is the preferred approach provided it is done in a centre specialised in the treatment of IBD and by skilled laparoscopic surgeons beyond the learning curve. Until now, laparoscopic-assisted subtotal colectomy and restorative proctocolectomy do not have the same short-term benefits as seen in other laparoscopic colorectal procedures. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a high life-time risk of having abdominal surgery and reoperations. The proposed advantages of laparoscopic surgery in this group of young patients might be higher than in patients with other colorectal diseases. Minimal physiologic insult in patients who already are under significant physiologic stress, less adhesion formation and superior cosmesis are important benefits over time. In a time where patient's demands will increase, the future of laparoscopic colonic surgery in IBD looks assured.

Colonic J-pouch as a neorectum: functional assessment.

BACKGROUND: Sphincter-saving procedures are now commonly used for low rectal cancer but straight colo-anal anastomosis seemed to produce poor functional outcome. The present study was therefore carried out to compare and contrast the functional outcome of colonic J-pouch and straight colo-anal anastomosis. METHODS: The clinical and functional outcome of 17 patients having a colonic J-pouch-anal anastomosis and 10 patients having a straight colo-anal anastomosis were compared. They were compared in terms of age, sex, distal resection margin, Dukes stage, histological grade, morbidity/mortality and postoperative anal function. RESULTS: There was better bowel function in patients having J-pouch-anal anastomosis, especially in the early period after closure of the covering stoma. Bowel frequency in those patients who had a J-pouch anastomosis was much less compared to those patients in the straight colo-anal group in the 1st and possibly the 2nd year. There was a period of adaptation for the straight colo-anal group which led to a bowel frequency approaching that of the J-pouch group over 1-2 years. Differences in urgency, faecal continence, evacuation function, the use of drugs to slow bowel frequency and ability to discriminate between flatus and faeces were found to favour the J-pouch group in the first postoperative year. The difference between the two groups diminished after that because the straight group improved, especially by the end of the 2nd year. During the study period, there were no constipation problems in the J-pouch group, as noted in some other studies. This was probably associated with the 6-cm length chosen for the pouch. CONCLUSIONS: The use of colonic J-pouch resulted in a significant decrease in stool frequency and more satisfactory anal function for the first postoperative year. This difference lessened during the second postoperative year. There was no demonstrable difficulty with rectal evacuation in the pouch patients.