Microinvasive Meniscal Suture with Disposable Needle.

The first meniscal suture was performed in 1885 and took about a century to become popular. Currently, all-inside meniscal repair devices are widely used. However, this technique presents the disadvantage of being a method dependent on specific devices, presenting a higher cost than other techniques. This high cost limits the use of such a technique in many locations. The objective of the present technical note is to describe a microinvasive meniscal suture technique as a modification of the all-inside technique, using a disposable 40 × 12 mm procedure needle. The authors believe that the proposed modification to the technique can make it more popular, enabling the use of the microinvasive technique in places with limited resources.

Microinvasive Meniscal Suture with Disposable Needle / Sutura meniscal microinvasiva com agulha descartável

Abstract The first meniscal suture was performed in 1885 and took about a century to become popular. Currently, all-inside meniscal repair devices are widely used. However, this technique presents the disadvantage of being a method dependent on specific devices, presenting a higher cost than other techniques. This high cost limits the use of such a technique in many locations. The objective of the present technical note is to describe a microinvasive meniscal suture technique as a modification of the all-inside technique, using a disposable 40 x 12 mm procedure needle. The authors believe that the proposed modification to the technique can make it more popular, enabling the use of the microinvasive technique in places with limited resources.

Resumo A primeira sutura meniscal foi realizada em 1885 e levou cerca de um século para tornar-se popular. Atualmente, os dispositivos de reparo meniscal all-inside são amplamente utilizados. Contudo, esta técnica apresenta a desvantagem de ser um método dependente de dispositivos específicos, apresentando um custo superior aos de outras técnicas. Este valor elevado limita o uso de tal técnica em muitos locais. O objetivo da presente nota técnica é descrever uma técnica de sutura meniscal microinvasiva, como uma modificação da técnica all-inside, utilizando uma agulha descartável de procedimento de 40 x 12 mm. Os autores acreditam que a modificação proposta para a técnica pode torná-la mais popular, possibilitando o uso da técnica microinvasiva em locais com recursos limitados.

Validation of an endoscopic flavectomy training model.

OBJECTIVE: to validate a lumbar spine endoscopic flavectomy simulator using the construct method and to assess the acceptability of the simulator in medical education. METHODS: thirty medical students and ten video-assisted surgery experienced orthopedists performed an endoscopic flavectomy procedure in the simulator. Time, look-downs, lost instruments, respect for the stipulated edge of the ligamentum flavum, regularity of the incision, GOALS checklist (Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills), and responses to the Likert Scale adapted for this study were analyzed. RESULTS: all variables differed between groups. Procedure time was shorter in the physician group (p < 0.001). Look-downs and instrument losses were seven times greater among students than physicians. Half of the students respected the designated incision limits, compared to 80% of the physicians. In the student group, about 30% of the incisions were regular, compared to 100% in the physician group (p < 0.001). The physicians performed better in all GOALS checklist domains. All the physicians and more than 96% of the students considered the activity enjoyable, and approximately 90% believed that the model was realistic and could contribute to medical education. CONCLUSIONS: the simulator could differentiate the groups' experience level, indicating construct validity, and both groups reported high acceptability.

Validation of an endoscopic flavectomy training model / Validação de modelo de treinamento de flavectomia endoscópica

ABSTRACT Objective: to validate a lumbar spine endoscopic flavectomy simulator using the construct method and to assess the acceptability of the simulator in medical education. Methods: thirty medical students and ten video-assisted surgery experienced orthopedists performed an endoscopic flavectomy procedure in the simulator. Time, look-downs, lost instruments, respect for the stipulated edge of the ligamentum flavum, regularity of the incision, GOALS checklist (Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills), and responses to the Likert Scale adapted for this study were analyzed. Results: all variables differed between groups. Procedure time was shorter in the physician group (p < 0.001). Look-downs and instrument losses were seven times greater among students than physicians. Half of the students respected the designated incision limits, compared to 80% of the physicians. In the student group, about 30% of the incisions were regular, compared to 100% in the physician group (p < 0.001). The physicians performed better in all GOALS checklist domains. All the physicians and more than 96% of the students considered the activity enjoyable, and approximately 90% believed that the model was realistic and could contribute to medical education. Conclusions: the simulator could differentiate the groups' experience level, indicating construct validity, and both groups reported high acceptability.

RESUMO Objetivo: validar um simulador de flavectomia endoscópica da coluna lombar por meio do método de constructo e, analisar a aceitação do simulador no ensino médico. Métodos: trinta estudantes de medicina e dez ortopedistas com experiência em videocirurgia realizaram um procedimento de flavectomia endoscópica no simulador. Foram analisados tempo, look-downs, perdas de instrumentos, respeito ao limite estipulado no ligamento amarelo, contorno regular do corte, checklist GOALS (Global Operative Assessment of Laparaoscopic Skills) e respostas à Escala de Likert adaptada para este estudo. Resultados: todas as variáveis diferiram entre os grupos. O tempo do procedimento foi menor no grupo dos médicos (p < 0,001). Look-downs e perdas de instrumentos foram sete vezes superiores entre os alunos do que entre os médicos. Metade dos alunos respeitou os limites de incisão designados, em comparação a 80% dos médicos. No grupo dos alunos, cerca de 30% das incisões foram regulares, em comparação a 100% no grupo dos médicos (p < 0,001). Os médicos tiveram melhor desempenho em todos os domínios da checklist GOALS. Todos os médicos e 96% dos alunos consideraram a atividade prazerosa, e cerca de 90% consideraram que o modelo era realista e poderia contribuir para o ensino médico. Conclusões: o simulador foi capaz de diferenciar o nível de experiência dos grupos, indicando a validade do construto, e ambos os grupos relataram alta aceitação.

Creation of a low-cost endoscopic flavectomy training model / Criação de um modelo de treinamento em flavectomia endoscópica de baixo custo / Creación de un modelo de entrenamiento en flavectomía endoscópica de bajo costo

ABSTRACT Objective The objective of the study was the development of a low cost simulator of the endoscopic lumbar spine flavectomy technique for use as a teaching method in order to make endoscopic training more accessible. Methods The study was a descriptive research project conducted at the Orthopedic Skills Laboratory of the Health Sciences Department of the Federal University of Paraná. Easily accessible, low cost materials, such as a commercial-use mannequin, EVA plastic, PVC and copper tubing were used to develop the simulator.. Results At the end of the project, it was possible to build a simulator of the endoscopic lumbar spine flavectomy technique with a budget of approximately 464 BRL, or approximately 140 USD. Conclusions We concluded that it was possible to build an endoscopic lumbar spine flavectomy technique simulator on a budget of less than half a Brazilian minimum monthly wage, which makes training more accessible to academics, residents and surgeons. Level of Evidence V; Expert opinion.

RESUMO Objetivo O objetivo do estudo é o desenvolvimento de um simulador de baixo custo da técnica de flavectomia endoscópica da coluna lombar, para uso como método de ensino, com o propósito de tornar o treinamento endoscópico mais acessível. Métodos Trata-se de um projeto de pesquisa descritivo, desenvolvido no Laboratório de Habilidades em Ortopedia do Setor de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Federal do Paraná. Para o desenvolvimento do simulador foram utilizados materiais de fácil acesso e baixo custo, como manequim de uso comercial, plástico EVA, canos de PVC e cobre. Resultados Ao fim do projeto, foi possível construir o simulador da técnica de flavectomia endoscópica da coluna lombar com orçamento aproximado de 464 reais, aproximadamente 140 dólares. Conclusões Concluímos que é possível construir um simulador da técnica de flavectomia endoscópica da coluna lombar com orçamento abaixo de meio salário mínimo, o que torna o treinamento mais acessível a acadêmicos, residentes e cirurgiões. Nível de evidência V; Opinião do especialista.

RESUMEN Objetivo El objetivo del estudio es el desarrollo de un simulador de bajo costo de la técnica de flavectomía endoscópica de la columna lumbar para uso como método de enseñanza, con el propósito de hacer que el entrenamiento endoscópico sea más accesible. Métodos Se trata de un proyecto de investigación descriptivo, desarrollado en el Laboratorio de Habilidades en Ortopedia del Sector de Ciencias de la Universidad Federal de Paraná. Para el desarrollo del simulador fueron usados materiales de fácil acceso y bajo costo, como maniquí de uso comercial, plástico EVA, caños de PVC y cobre. Resultados Al fin del proyecto, fue posible construir el simulador de la técnica de flavectomía endoscópica de la columna lumbar con presupuesto aproximado de 464 reales, aproximadamente 140 dólares. Conclusiones Concluimos que es posible construir un simulador de la técnica de flavectomía endoscópica de la coluna lumbar con presupuesto por debajo de medio salario mínimo, lo que hace que el entrenamiento sea más accesible para académicos, residentes y cirujanos. Nivel de evidencia V; Opinión del especialista.

IMPACT OF MELD SODIUM ON LIVER TRANSPLANTATION WAITING LIST.

BACKGROUND: Serum sodium was incorporated to MELD score for the allocation of liver transplantation In the USA in 2016. Hyponatremia significantly increased the efficacy of the score to predict mortality on the waiting list. Such modification was not adopted in Brazil. AIM: To carry out a simulation using MELD-Na as waiting list ordering criteria in the state of Paraná and to compare to the list ordered according to MELD score. METHODS: The study used data of 122 patients waiting for hepatic transplantation and listed at Parana´s Transplantation Central. Two classificatory lists were set up, one with MELD, the current qualifying criteria, and another with MELD-Na. We analyzed the changes on classification comparing these two lists. RESULTS: Among all patients, 95.1% of the participants changed position, 30.3% showed improvement, 64.8% presented worsening and 4.9% maintained their position. There were 19 patients with hyponatremia, of whom 94.7% presented a change of position, and in all of them there was an improvement of position. One hundred and one patients presented sodium within the normal range and 95% of them presented a change of position: Improved placement was observed in 18.8%, and worsened placement in 76.2%. Two patients presented hypernatremia and changed their position, both worsening the placement. There was a significant different behavior on waiting list according to sodium serum level when MELD-Na was applied. CONCLUSION: The inclusion of serum sodium caused a great impact in the classification, bringing benefit to patients with hyponatremia.