Measuring and developing suturing technique with a virtual reality surgical simulator.

BACKGROUND: We have developed an interactive virtual reality (VR) surgical simulator for the training and assessment of suturing technique. The surgical simulator is comprised of surgical tools with force feedback, a 3-dimensional graphics visual display of the simulated surgical field, physics-based computer simulations of the tissues and tools, and software to measure and evaluate the trainee's performance. STUDY DESIGN: This study uses the simulator to measure and compare the skills of 8 experienced vascular surgeons versus 12 medical students when performing a virtual reality suturing task. Eight parameters of the suturing task were measured: total tissue damage, accuracy of needle puncture, peak tissue tearing force, time to complete the task, damage to the surface of the tissue, angular error in needle technique, total distance traveled by the tool tip, and a measure of overall error. Three test conditions (dominant hand, nondominant hand, and 3-dimensional needle guide) were tested. Statistical significance was defined as a univariate two-sided p value < or = 0.05. RESULTS: The surgeons' average performance was significantly better than the students' average performance for three of the measured parameters (total tissue damage, time to complete the task, and total distance traveled by the tool tip) for each of the test conditions. For the test condition most similar to surgery (using the dominant hand to suture) one additional parameter was also significantly different (the measure of overall error). The medical students showed improvements for 6 of the 7 parameters for which the users received feedback during the training process. The surgeons also had significant improvement for 4 of the 7 parameters. The students had a larger improvement than the surgeons for 6 of the parameters, but these differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Data indicate differences between surgeon and nonsurgeon performance and in improvement in performance with training. One possible explanation for the superior performance of the surgeons is that their suturing skills applied well to the simulated suturing task. Additional research is required to confirm or deny the similarity between actual and simulated surgical tasks and the relevance of virtual reality surgical simulation to surgical skill assessment and training.

Carcinogenicity and teratogenicity vs. psychogenicity: psychological characteristics associated with self-reported Agent Orange exposure among Vietnam combat veterans who seek treatment for substance abuse.

This study asked, "What are the psychological characteristics of Vietnam combat veterans who claim Agent Orange exposure when compared with combat-experienced cohorts who do not report such contamination?" The question was researched among 153 heroin addicts, polydrug abusers, and chronic alcoholics who were seeking treatment: 58 reported moderate to high defoliant exposure while in combat; 95 reported minimal to no exposure while in Vietnam. The null hypothesis was accepted for measures of childhood and present family social climate, premilitary backgrounds, reasons for seeking treatment, patterns and types of illicit drug and alcohol use, interpersonal problems, intellectual functioning, and short-term memory. The null hypothesis was rejected for personality differences, however, those who self-reported high Agent Orange exposure scored significantly higher on MMPI scales F, Hypochondriasis, Depression, Paranoia, Psychasthenia, Schizophrenia, Mania, and Social interoversion. The results suggest that clinicians carefully assess attributional processing of those who report traumatic experience.

Tooth resorption in the two-stage transplantation technique: a case report.

A case report of a two-stage canine transplant is presented in which circumstances appeared ideal for success. Storage of the tooth in a buccal pouch for six months precipitated extensive crown and root resorption. The prognosis for this approach to treatment of impacted canines indicates caution in its use.

Bilateral supplemental laterals: an unusual transplantation approach.

The case of a patient presenting with bilateral supplemental lateral incisors is reported. The upper lateral and supplemental on one side of the arch had a questionable prognosis due to extensive caries and at their removal the supplemental from the other side was successfully transplanted across the arch.

Personality differences among black, white, and Hispanic-American male heroin addicts on MMPI content scales.

Used MMPI Content Scale scores (Wiggins, 1966) to assess personality differences among black, white, and Hispanic-American heroin addicts. Ss were 423 male veterans who volunteered for the first time for treatment between 1972 and 1979 to an inpatient Drug Dependence Treatment Program (DDTP) of a Veterans Administration Medical Center. Two hypotheses were tested: First, that minority group heroin addicts (blacks and Hispanics) will show better adjustment than majority group (white) heroin addicts; second, that Hispanic-American heroin addicts will evidence personality characteristics unlike those of either whites or blacks. Both hypotheses were confirmed. Results were interpreted as supporting cultural theories of substance abuse and providing implications for diagnosis and treatment of substance abuse disorders among minority ethnic groups.

Comparison of the in vivo and in vitro antibacterial properties of antiseptic mouthrinses containing chlorhexidine, alexidine, cetyl pyridinium chloride and hexetidine. Relevance to mode of action.

A study was carried out to compare the antibacterial properties of four cationic antiseptics, three of which are available as commercial mouthrinse preparations. Minimum inhibitory concentrations for alexidine, cetyl pyridinium chloride, chlorhexidine gluconate and hexetidine against a range of standard test organisms, were determined by tube dilution. Similar values for Oxford staphylococcus were then obtained in Dubos medium to which protein as yeast, or food extract, or serum was added in doubling dilutions to 16%. Salivary bacterial counts after a single rinse with the antiseptics or water throughout the day were measured in 10 subjects together with the duration of any residual antiseptic activity in the saliva. All antiseptics were effective at low concentrations against the organisms tested but the minimum inhibitory concentration values for hexetidine were the highest. Food extract and serum markedly increased the minimum inhibitory concentration values of all antiseptics, although alexidine and hexetidine were the least affected in percentage terms. The activity of a 1% povidone iodine preparation, used for comparison, was almost completely vitiated. An immediate significant fall in salivary bacterial counts was produced by the cationic antiseptics. Return to pre-rinse levels was seen for hexetidine after 90 min, cetyl pyridinium chloride after 3 hours, alexidine after 5 hours and chlorhexidine gluconate after 7 hours. Residual salivary antibacterial activity remained to 90 min for cetyl pyridinium chloride, to 3 hours for hexetidine and alexidine and to 5 hours for chlorhexidine gluconate. The antibacterial properties measured, in particular the duration of effect in vivo, may be relevant to the anti-plaque activity of cationic antiseptics.

The use of polymethylmethacrylate to compare the adsorption and staining reactions of some cationic antiseptics.

This study assessed the value of acrylic, in powder and optically clear forms, to measure the adsorption and staining properties of some cationic antiseptics. The uptake of chlorhexidine gluconate, chlorhexidine acetate, alexidine and cetyl pyridinium chloride onto acrylic powder was measured spectrophotometrically. Similarly, tea staining of perspex blocks exposed twice daily to the antiseptics and hexetidine, was measured over a 5 day period. The adsorption of chlorhexidine gluconate and acetate was similar and greater than alexidine but less than cetyl pyridinium chloride. Desorption of the adsorbed antiseptics was minimal after 48 hours soaking in water. Acid produced a variable desorption of antiseptics. Tea staining of blocks was significantly greater with antiseptic treated specimens compared to control specimens. However, staining resulting from alexidine was greater than cetyl pyridinium chloride which was greater than chlorhexidine. Hexetidine produced the least staining. Saliva treatment of specimens only increased the tea staining of control blocks. The results indicated that adsorption levels alone would not explain the differences in antiplaque and staining activity reported for the cationic antiseptics.

Comparison of the bisbiguanide antiseptics alexidine and chlorhexidine. I. Effect on plaque accumulation and salivary bacteria.

A blind crossover trial was carried out to compare the effects of a 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse and a 0.035% alexidine mouthrinse on plaque accumulation and salivary bacteria in a group of volunteers. The subjects refrained from all forms of oral hygiene during two 10-day periods and rinsed twice a day with the mouthwash randomly allocated to the respective period. Prerinse, day 4 and day 10 total salivary aerobic and anaerobic bacterial counts were determined during each period. Plaque scores were recorded at the end of each 10-day period. Significantly more plaque accumulated in subjects rinsing with alexidine when compared with chlorhexidine. Significant and comparable reductions in salivary bacterial counts were observed with both chlorhexidine and alexidine on day 4 and day 10 when compared with pre-rinse counts. Although at the concentrations used alexidine was less effective than chlorhexidine, it may be of value as a short-term adjunct to oral hygiene.

Comparison of the bisbiguanide antiseptics alexidine and chlorhexidine. II. Clinical and in vitro staining properties.

A blind cross-over trial was carried out to compare the tooth and tongue staining associated with the use of a 0.035% alexidine and a 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthrinse. Twenty-two volunteers were divided into two groups termed "tea drinkers" and "non-tea drinkers". All volunteers were requested to refrain from oral hygiene measures throughout two 10-day periods when they rinsed twice a day with the preparation randomly allocated for the respective period. During both periods the members of the groups excluded coffee, red wine and port from their diet. The tea drinking group consumed seven cups of tea per day. Tooth and tongue staining was recorded for extent and severity at the end of each period. The amount of stain accumulating in the two groups was similar following the use of chlorhexidine and alexidine. However, for both chlorhexidine and alexidine the extent and severity of tooth and tongue staining were significantly increased in the tea drinking group. An in vitro study of tea staining of perspex blocks exposed twice a day to 0.035% solutions of alexidine or chlorhexidine throughout a 5-day period demonstrated significantly more staining with alexidine when measured spectrophotometrically. Visually however, the differences in the specimens were minimal. Saliva treatment of the perspex did not significantly alter the staining by alexidine or chlorhexidine. The results provide further evidence for a dietary aetiology to the staining associated with cationic antiseptics. However, alexidine at the concentration used offered no advantage in reducing the side effect of staining when compared with chlorhexidine.