Learning Curves and Competences of Vascular Trainees Performing Open Aortic Repair in a Simulation-Based Environment.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze learning curves and competency gains of novice vascular trainees when performing open aortic repair in a simulation-based environment. METHODS: This was a prospective study of 16 vascular trainees performing infrarenal open aortic repair on an inanimate abdominal aortic aneurysm simulator with pulsatile pressure and flow. Each participant performed 4 procedures as a primary surgeon while getting structured feedback by a supervising experienced vascular surgeon. All sessions were video recorded and were anonymously and independently assessed by 3 rater-trained experts on an online platform using the newly validated open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair of technical expertise assessment tool. All supervisor interferences and procedure time was noted. RESULTS: Reliability between raters was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.92). Participants' mean scores almost doubled during the course between the first (13.4, 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.8-20) and fourth session (29.8, 95% CI, 26.3-33.3) with a mean difference of 14.6 (P < 0.001). Supervisor interference also decreased significantly from mean 3.0 (95% CI, 1.5-3.6) in the first to 0.7 (95% CI, 0.4-1.0) in the fourth session (P = 0.004). Procedure time decreased with a mean of 24 minutes: from 81 min (95% CI, 71.8-90.3) to 57 min (95% CI, 51.1-63.2, P < 0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between procedure time and the Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair of Technical Expertise score (Pearson's r = -0.72, P < 0.01). Only half of the participants passed the pass/fail score of 27.7 points during the course. CONCLUSIONS: Novice vascular trainees achieve skills and competencies in open aortic repair in a simulated setting with dedicated supervision and feedback and can become ready for supervised surgery on real patients. Learning rates are individual, and it is important to construct training programs with emphasis on proficiency and not merely attending a course.

Ensuring Competency in Open Aortic Aneurysm Repair - Development and Validation of a New Assessment Tool.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to develop a procedure specific assessment tool for open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair, gather validity evidence for the tool and establish a pass/fail standard. METHODS: Validity was studied based on the contemporary framework by Messick. Three vascular surgeons experienced in open AAA repair and an expert in assessment and validation within medical education developed the OPEn aortic aneurysm Repair Assessment of Technical Expertise (OPERATE) tool. Vascular surgeons with varying experiences performed open AAA repair in a standardised simulation based setting. All procedures were video recorded with the faces anonymised and scored independently by three experts in a mutual blinded setup. The Angoff standard setting method was used to establish a credible pass/fail score. RESULTS: Sixteen novices and nine experienced open vascular surgeons were enrolled. The OPERATE tool achieved high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha .92) and inter-rater reliability (Cronbach's alpha .95) and was able to differentiate novices and experienced surgeons with mean scores (higher score is better) of 13.4 ± 12 and 25.6 ± 6, respectively (p = .01). The pass/fail score was set high (27.7). One novice passed the test while six experienced surgeons failed. CONCLUSION: Validity evidence was established for the newly developed OPERATE tool and was able to differentiate between novices and experienced surgeons providing a good argument that this tool can be used for both formative and summative assessment in a simulation based environment. The high pass/fail score emphasises the need for novices to train in a simulation based environment up to a certain level of competency before apprenticeship training in the clinical environment under the tutelage of a supervisor. Familiarisation with the simulation equipment must be ensured before performance is assessed as reflected by the low scores in the experienced group's first attempt.

Value of Routine Flexible Sigmoidoscopy and Potential Predictive Factors for Colonic Ischemia after Open Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

Background and Objectives: colonic ischemia (CI) after ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) repair is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. CI may be detected by using flexible sigmoidoscopy, but routine use of flexible sigmoidoscopy after rAAA is not clearly proven. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of routine flexible sigmoidoscopy in detecting CI after rAAA repair, and to identify potential hemodynamic, biochemical, and clinical variables that can predict the development of CI in the patients who underwent rAAA surgery. Materials and Methods: we retrospectively included all rAAA cases treated in Viborg hospital from 1 April 2014 until 31 August 2017, recorded the findings on flexible sigmoidoscopy, and the incidence of CI. We collected specific hemodynamic, biochemical, and clinical variables, measured pre- and perioperatively, and the first three postoperative days. The association between CI and possible predictors was analyzed in a logistic regression model. Results: a total of 80 patients underwent open rAAA repair during the study period. Flexible sigmoidoscopy was performed in 58 of 80 patients (73.5%) who survived at least 24 h after open rAAA surgery. Perioperative variables lowest arterial pH (p = 0.02) and types of operations-aortobifemoral bypass vs. straight graft (p = 0.04) showed statistically significant differences between CI groups. The analysis of the postoperative variables showed statistically significant difference in highest lactate on postoperative day 1 (p = 0.01), and lowest hemoglobin on postoperative day 2 (p = 0.04) comparing CI groups. Logistic regression model revealed that postoperative hemoglobin and lactate turned out to be independent risk factors for the development of CI (respectively OR = 0.44 (95% CI = 0.29-0.67) and OR = 1.91 (95% CI = 1.2-3.05)). Conclusions: flexible sigmoidoscopy can identify patients being at higher risk of mortality after open rAAA repair. The postoperative lactate and hemoglobin were found to be independent risk factors for the development of CI after open rAAA repair. Further larger studies are warranted to demonstrate these findings.

[Endovacular treatment of mycotic iliac aneurysm]. / Endovaskulær behandling af mykotisk arteria iliaca-aneurisme

No gold standard exists in the treatment of mycotic aorto-iliac aneurysms. Surgical debridement and revascularization with bypass remain as the most definitive surgical solution, but also carry a relatively high risk of perioperative morbidity as compared to an endovascular approach. We present a case story with a mycotic a. iliac aneurysm treated successfully with an endoluminal covered stent graft. The patient had severe co-morbidity that ruled out open surgery.

The Viborg Vascular (VIVA) screening trial of 65-74 year old men in the central region of Denmark: study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) of men aged 65-74 years reduces the AAA-related mortality and is generally considered cost effective. Despite of this only a few national health care services have implemented permanent programs. Around 10% of men in this group have peripheral arterial disease (PAD) defined by an ankle brachial systolic blood pressure index (ABI) below 0.9 resulting in an increased mortality-rate of 25-30%. In addition well-documented health benefits may be achieved through primary prophylaxis by initiating systematic cholesterol-lowering, smoking cessation, low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (aspirins), exercise, a healthy diet and blood-pressure control altogether reducing the increased risks for cardiovascular disease by at least 20-25%. The benefits of combining screening for AAA and PAD seem evident; yet they remain to be established. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy and the cost-effectiveness of a combined screening program for AAA, PAD and hypertension. METHODS: The Viborg Vascular (VIVA) screening trial is a randomized, clinically controlled study designed to evaluate the benefits of vascular screening and modern vascular prophylaxis in a population of 50,000 men aged 65-74 years. Enrolment started October 2008 and is expected to stop in October 2010. The primary outcome is all-cause mortality. The secondary outcomes are cardiovascular mortality, AAA-related mortality, hospital services related to cardiovascular conditions, prevalence of AAA, PAD and potentially undiagnosed hypertension, health-related quality of life and cost effectiveness. Data analysis by intention to treat. RESULTS: Major follow-up will be performed at 3, 5 and 10 years and final study result after 15 years. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00662480.

[False-positive findings in screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm]. / Falsk positivt fund ved screening for abdominalt aortaaneurisme.

The incidence of false-positive screening results in connection with ultrasound scans (US) for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is unknown, but it is presumably a rare occurrence. The estimated predictive values of both false and true screening results are high because abdominal US describes the aortic diameter with a high precision. We describe a false-positive finding in a 66-year-old male. US abdominal screening led to a suspected 8.3 cm AAA. Consequently, a computed tomography was performed showing an AAA of normal proportions and a big bladder diverticulum in front of the aorta abdominalis.