A 1-day simulation-based boot camp for incoming general surgery residents improves confidence and technical skills.

BACKGROUND: For surgery residents, opportunities to systematically learn about surgical equipment are limited. Our facility holds a simulation-based boot camp for incoming, first-year general surgery residents. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of this boot camp at increasing resident confidence and improving technical skills. METHODS: Boot camp for incoming surgery residents is held annually and provides hands-on simulation relating to endoscopy, laparoscopy, bronchoscopy, and abdominal access. Before the boot camp, participants completed a pretest, which includes self-confidence, experience, and a skills-assessment. Identical assessments of self-confidence and skills were completed after the boot camp as a posttest. Data was accrued from 2016 to 2018. RESULTS: A total of 26, first-year, general surgery residents participated in the boot camp. Most participants had never used an endoscopic simulator (61.5%), handled a colonoscope (57.7%), a gastroscope (80.8%), or gained operative access to the abdomen (76.9%). The assessments of self-confidence and skills demonstrated a mean increase in all 4 topics. All differentials demonstrated statistical significance (P <. 001). CONCLUSION: A 1-day, simulation-based boot camp for incoming surgery residents with a focus on endoscopy, laparoscopy, and abdominal access increases resident confidence as well as several basic aspects of technical skill.

Is laparoscopic live donor hepatectomy justified ethically?

Live donor liver transplant (LDLT) was first reported in the 1990s and quickly raised ethical considerations, mainly related to the risk brought to the donor. The question of donor safety was even more accurate with the occurrence of laparoscopy, a technique which could allegedly increase the risk of severe intraoperative complications. Besides the questions of justice and autonomy, donor safety remains the main ethical debate of LDLT. Considering the lack of comparative assessment of postoperative outcomes, the Jury of the last Consensus meeting held in Japan in 2014 called for the creation of international registries to help to determine the benefit/risk ratio of laparoscopic donor hepatectomy. Since randomized studies are very unlikely to occur, benchmarking comparisons, between liver and kidney donors for instance, may also help to define standard practice. At last, donors' points of view should also be taken into account in the evaluation of those innovative procedures.

Quistes mesentéricos en la edad pediátrica: ¿qué son en realidad? / Mesenteric cysts in children

OBJETIVOS: Los quistes mesentéricos (QM) son tumores quísticos benignos, integrados en el tejido del mesenterio o del epiplón. Hemos revisado los casos de QM no enterógeno. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Revisión de historias clínicas y biopsias de los casos intervenidos de QM en el periodo 2002-2012. RESULTADOS: Encontramos a 7 pacientes, edad media de 5,3 a˜nos (rango 3-11). El diagnóstico fue ecográfico en todos, salvo en uno. Todos presentaron dolor abdominal; 5 (71,4%) vómitos; 4 (57%) distensión abdominal; 3 (42,8%) fiebre; ninguno presentó obstrucción abdominal completa, aunque 2 pacientes (28,6%) presentaron suboclusión. El quiste fue pediculado o sésil en todos menos en uno, que englobaba raíz de mesocolon y retroperitoneo. La histología de todos ellos reveló malformación linfática. No hubo recurrencias. CONCLUSIONES: Los quistes mesentéricos en niños son en su mayoría malformaciones linfáticas del mesenterio, con clínica muy variada. En el 50-60% están integrados en el mesenterio y requieren resección del asa afectada y anastomosis

OBJECTIVES: Mesenteric cysts (MC) are benign cystic tumors that grow within mesentery or omentum tissue. We have reviewed the cases of MC reported and operated on in our centre. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective review of clinical records of MC cases during the period 2002-2012 RESULTS: A total of 7 patients were found. Mean age was 5.3 years (range 3-11). Abdominal ultrasound was the diagnostic tool in all cases, except for one, which was diagnosed during laparotomy. All presented abdominal pain, 5 (71.4%) vomiting, 4 (57%) gross abdominal distension, 3 (42.8%) fever, and none presented complete abdominal obstruction, although 2 patients (28.6%) had slight sub-occlusion symptoms. All MC were pedicled or sesil, except for our last case, which extended into the retroperitoneum. All specimens were reported as Limphatic Malformation. None recurred. CONCLUSIONS: MC in children are mostly Lymphatic Malformations of mesentery or omentum origin, and clinical presentation varies from chronic abdominal pain to sudden-onset peritonitis or volvulus. About 50-60% require intestinal resection and anastomosis

Impact of cosmetic result on selection of surgical treatment in patients with localized prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the effect of cosmetic outcome as an isolated variable in patients undergoing surgical treatment based on the incision used in the 3 variants of radical prostatectomy: open (infraumbilical incision and Pfannestiel incision) and laparoscopic, or robotic (6 ports) surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 612 male patients 40 to 70 years of age with a negative history of prostate disease were invited to participate. Each patient was evaluated by questionnaire accompanied by a set of 6 photographs showing the cosmetic appearance of the 3 approaches, with and without undergarments. Participants ranked the approaches according to preference, on the basis of cosmesis. We also recorded demographic variables: age, body mass index, marital status, education level, and physical activity. RESULTS: Of the 577 patients who completed the questionnaries, the 6-port minimally invasive approach represents the option preferred by 52% of the participants, followed by the Pfannestiel incision (46%), and the infraumbilical incision (11%), respectively. The univariate and multivariate analyses did not show statistically significant differences when comparing the approach preferred by the patients and the sub-analyses for demographic variables, except for patients who exercised who preferred the Pfannestiel incision (58%) instead of minimally invasive approach (42%) with statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION: The minimally invasive approach was the approach of choice for the majority of patients in the treatment of prostate cancer. The Pfannestiel incision represents an acceptable alternative. More research and investment may be necesary to improve cosmetic outcomes.

Enthusiasm, evidence and ethics: the triple E of minimally invasive pediatric surgery.

Minimally invasive techniques are applicable in more than 60% of abdominal and thoracic operations in children. Enthusiasts promoted these techniques for many years. However, level 1 evidence on advantages of minimally invasive surgery in children remains limited. Randomized controlled trials have been conducted for some types of procedures such as laparoscopic appendectomy, fundoplication, pyloromyotomy, and inguinal hernia repair. The results of these studies confirm some advantages of minimally invasive surgery, but for most types of laparoscopic and all types of thoracoscopic procedures, such data remain to be established. This article also focuses on reports on complications and disadvantages which are relevant for final conclusions and recommendations. The ethical implications of the application of new techniques in children are also discussed. On the basis of evidence based data and ethical principles, minimally invasive techniques may be appropriately used in the future.

An international, multicentre, prospective, randomised, controlled, unblinded, parallel-group trial of robotic-assisted versus standard laparoscopic surgery for the curative treatment of rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: There is growing enthusiasm for robotic-assisted laparoscopic operations across many surgical specialities, including colorectal surgery, often not supported by robust clinical or cost-effectiveness data. A proper assessment of this new technology is required, prior to widespread recommendation or implementation. METHODS/DESIGN: The ROLARR trial is a pan-world, prospective, randomised, controlled, unblinded, superiority trial of robotic-assisted versus standard laparoscopic surgery for the curative treatment of rectal cancer. It will investigate differences in terms of the rate of conversion to open operation, rate of pathological involvement of circumferential resection margin, 3-year local recurrence, disease-free and overall survival rates and also operative morbidity and mortality, quality of life and cost-effectiveness. The primary outcome measure is the rate of conversion to open operation. For 80% power at the 5% (two-sided) significance level, to identify a relative 50% reduction in open conversion rate (25% to 12.5%), 336 patients will be required. The target recruitment is 400 patients overall to allow loss to follow-up. Patients will be followed up at 30 days and 6 months post-operatively and then annually until 3 years after the last patient has been randomised. DISCUSSION: In many centres, robotic-assisted surgery is being implemented on the basis of theoretical advantages, which have yet to be confirmed in practice. Robotic surgery is an expensive health care provision and merits robust evaluation. The ROLARR trial is a pragmatic trial aiming to provide a comprehensive evaluation of both robotic-assisted and standard laparoscopic surgery for the curative resection of rectal cancer.

The quality of operative consenting against RCOG advice as standard.

Clinical Governance Advice published by the RCOG states that 'before seeking a women's consent ... you should ensure that she understands the nature of the condition for which treatment is being proposed, its prognosis, likely consequences and risks of receiving no treatment at all'. The importance of obtaining informed consent within obstetrics and gynaecology is highlighted by the litigious nature of our specialty, with CNST data, demonstrating that it makes up 21% of all claims and incur highest cost of any other specialty. We present an audit of the quality of operative consenting for 120 procedures over a 3-month period for five procedures (diagnostic hysteroscopy and laparoscopy, total abdominal hysterectomy, vaginal repair/hysterectomy and lower segment caesarean section) for which we have RCOG advice (Numbers 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, respectively). The quality of consent was also assessed by grade of clinicians. The results identify significant deficiencies when various gynaecological and obstetric procedures are being consented for, and we have discussed various options recommended for improvement.

Hernia de acceso de laparoscopia / Laparoscopic por site hernia

No disponible

"First, do no harm": monitoring outcomes during the transition from open to laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy in a Canadian centre.

OBJECTIVE: During the learning curve for laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (LLDN), donor morbidity and poorer graft function may be increased. To minimize these risks, a dedicated team of laparoscopic, urologic and transplant specialists worked together to introduce the technique. This study was undertaken to validate this approach by comparing donor and recipient outcomes and studying our learning curve during the transition from open (OLDN) to LLDN. METHODS: We compared 59 LLDNs with 34 OLDNs performed for adult recipients. Data were collected prospectively for LLDN and retrospectively for OLDN. We compared donor outcomes and recipient graft function in the 2 groups, and we used the cumulative sum (CUSUM) method to generate learning curves; p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: From the donor standpoint, the complication rate was 10% in the laparoscopic group, compared with 21% in the open group. Length of stay was shorter after LLDN (3 v. 5 d, p < 0.001). Among the recipients, there were no significant differences in the incidences of ureteral complications, delayed graft function (DGF), creatinine levels, acute rejection or patient and graft survival. When we used the incidence of DGF after OLDN as a benchmark, CUSUM analysis revealed a downward inflection point for DGF after 30 cases, consistent with an improvement in performance. CONCLUSION: At our institution, a team approach has allowed the safe introduction of LLDN without a significant negative impact on recipient outcomes and with a reduction in donor length of stay. Using DGF as an outcome, we observed improved performance after 30 cases.

[Ethical and epistemologic aspects of laparoscopy in surgery and carcinologic surgery]. / Aspects éthiques et épistémologiques de la coelioscopie en chirurgie viscérale et en chirurgie carcinologique.

The first endoscopic gall-bladder ablation was performed in France, twenty years ago. NOTES (natural orifices transluminal endoscopic surgery) is a new step towards surgery leaving no scar. Is surgery's paradigm changing now ? This short study will focus on the epistemologic and ethical changes which have been generated by the increasing use of endoscopic techniques in visceral and carcinologic surgery. These changes will certainly imply, in the near future, other deep evolutions in the speciality organization.

Ethical issues in laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Hysterectomy is performed for a wide range of benign and malignant conditions, such as fibroids, menorrhagia and pelvic pain, and gynaecological malignancies. One in four women has a chance of undergoing hysterectomy in her lifetime. Conventionally abdominal hysterectomy is done through the open approach. However, many patients assume that the modern laparoscopic hysterectomy is superior to the standard approach. Laparoscopic surgical centres are mushrooming in major cities. This article presents ethical considerations involved in the decision-making process of choosing from the surgical options available.

Aspectos éticos y sociales en la cirugía video laparoscopica / Ethical and social aspects in videolaparoscopic surgery

Con este trabajo se pretende hacer una reflexión sobre la Cirugía Video Laparoscópica y los aspectos bioéticos, que tienen implicación en la misma; realizando consideraciones sicológicas, socioeconómicas y éticas sobre los pacientes que reciben los beneficios de esta nueva tecnología, a fin de mejorar o curar sus dolencias con un mínimo de dolor, un bajo costo y una mejor estética[AU]

With this work it is sought to make a reflection on video laparoscopic surgery and the bioethical aspects implied in it; carrying out psychological, socioeconomic and ethical considerations on the patients that receive the benefits of this new technology, in order to improve or to cure their ailments with a minimum pain, a low cost and a better aesthetics(AU)

Aspectos éticos y sociales en la cirugía video laparoscópica / Ethical and social aspects in videolaparoscopic surgery

Con este trabajo se pretende hacer una reflexión sobre la Cirugía Video Laparoscópica y los aspectos bioéticos, que tienen implicación en la misma; realizando consideraciones sicológicas, socioeconómicas y éticas sobre los pacientes que reciben los beneficios de esta nueva tecnología, a fin de mejorar o curar sus dolencias con un mínimo de dolor, un bajo costo y una mejor estética.[AU]

Optimal management of the morbidly obese patient. SAGES appropriateness conference statement.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a growing health problem that contributes to numerous life-threatening or disabling disorders, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, degenerative joint disease, and obstructive sleep apnea. Significant weight reduction in the morbidly obese improves or reverses associated illness and benefits well-being. The purpose of the SAGES Appropriateness Conference was to summarize the state of the art for open and laparoscopic operations for the morbidly obese. METHODS: The English literature comparing bariatric procedures was reviewed and grouped by level of evidence by three surgeons (BS, LV, and CC). From more than 1,500 articles, all conference participants were provided with reprints and table summaries of no less than 50 selected manuscripts. Ten experts were requested to present reviews and make evidence-based arguments for and against the open and laparoscopic approaches in written format. An expert panel of six surgeons, including an ethicist and patient, commented on implications of data presented. The finalized statement was e-mailed to all participants for approval and comment. RESULTS: Consensus statements were achieved on various aspects of morbid obesity, including indications for surgery, resolution of comorbid illnesses with significant weight loss, and the importance of committed bariatric program. Our panel of experts agreed, in general, to the advantages of laparoscopic approaches compared to open operations in skilled hands. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) affords improved short-term recovery compared to open gastric bypass. Laparoscopic adjustable banding can be performed with lower average mortality than either RYGB or any of the malabsorptive operations, and it produces variable degrees of short-term weight loss. Prospective randomized trials are needed to compare gastric bypass, malabsorptive, and restrictive procedures.

Should diagnostic hysteroscopy be a routine procedure during diagnostic laparoscopy in women with normal hysterosalpingography?

The advantage of hysteroscopy (HSC) over hysterosalpingography (HSG) in the accuracy of the diagnosis of uterine cavity abnormalities that may cause or contribute to infertility has been shown by numerous studies. The aim of this study was to analyse the results obtained from diagnostic HSC performed routinely during diagnostic laparoscopy in the investigation of the infertile women, to evaluate the effectiveness of the procedure in the diagnosis of uterine causes of female infertility. Ninety-three infertile patients with normal uterine cavity as demonstrated in HSG underwent diagnostic laparoscopy and hysteroscopy in this infertility unit. The hysteroscopy showed a normal cavity in 80 cases (88%), giving a false-negative rate of 12% for HSG. The pathologies found included small adhesions (two cases), an arcuate fundus (two cases), an endometrial polyp (three cases), and endometrial hyperplasia was diagnosed in four cases. In the absence of a positive history or a radiographical suggestion of endometrial abnormalities, or both, HSC made little diagnostic contribution towards elucidating the cause of female infertility or to finding a pathology that could affect the chances of achieving a normal pregnancy. However, in view of the low complication rates, minimal time requirement, and a negligible effect on the post-operative course, HSC could be performed on all infertile patients undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy.