Keep it simple: a crosshair on the screen during proctored laparoscopic surgeries.

INTRODUCTION: Inside the operating room, experts use verbal instructions to guide surgical novices through laparoscopic procedures. In this study, we evaluated the use of a crosshair attached to the video monitor, as a hands-free pointing tool to simplify instructions during operation. METHODS: Ten surgical novices performed two elective laparoscopic cholecystectomies within a week of each other, randomized such that one was performed with and the other without using the crosshair. Directly after operation, questionnaires were completed by the novices and the consultant surgeons. Measures including the comprehensibility of instructions, subjective feeling of safety during preparation, time delays due to different instruction options, and disruptive influence while instructors used the crosshair. Differences in operative performance were evaluated based on the global operative assessment of laparoscopic skills (GOALS) scores. RESULTS: When the crosshair was used, surgical novices had a better understanding of which anatomical structure should be shown (p = 0.028). Operating time (p = 0.222) and feeling of confidence during preparation did not differ with versus without crosshair use (p = 0.081). All participants stated that the crosshair did not negatively affect the field of vision. In terms of the median GOALS score, the operative performance was improved when the crosshair was used compared with verbal instructions only (median 15, IQR (11; 21) vs. median 12, IQR (5; 19), p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The crosshair is a simple, inexpensive, and widely available method to improve communication between instructors and novices in everyday training.

Counseling on Complementary Methods in the Treatment of Side Effects of Oncological Therapies: A Project of the Breast and Bowel Center Nahe at the Hospital Sankt Marienwoerth Bad Kreuznach.

BACKGROUND: Increasingly, patients with cancer are asking for additional, complementary therapy options for treating the side effects of oncological therapy. Thus, the members of the Breast and Bowel Center Nahe at the Sankt Marienwörth Hospital Bad Kreuznach decided to define the content of this type of counseling for patients before treatment. METHODS: In 2018, a team of internal oncologists, gynecological oncologists, radio-oncologists, nutritionists, psycho-oncologists, and study nurses met several times to define the content of counseling. To inform the team, an intensive literature review was conducted. RESULTS: Counseling content was determined for complementary treatment options for the most frequent side effects of oncological therapies. Counseling sessions were formulated as frontal lectures (slide presentations), given at regular intervals for patients and relatives. These lectures were highly appreciated by patients. CONCLUSION: These counseling sessions increased patient understanding of both useful complementary measures and harmful measures they should not use.