Surgical endoscopy
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Several factors may affect volume and dimensions of the working space in laparoscopic surgery. The precise impact of these factors has not been well studied. In a porcine model, we used computed tomographic (CT) scanning for measuring working space volume and distances. In a first series of experiments, we studied the relationship between intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and working space. ⋯ CT allows for precise calculation of the actual CO₂ pneumoperitoneum volume, whereas the volume of CO₂ released by the insufflator does not. Increasing IAP up to 10 mmHg achieved most gain in volume and in internal anteroposterior diameter. At an IAP of 10 mmHg, higher peak inspiratory pressure was significantly elevated.
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Although the mortality from bariatric surgery is low, perioperative determinants of morbidity and mortality in the bariatric surgery population to date have not been fully defined. This study aimed to evaluate the factors capable of predicting perioperative mortality based on preoperative characteristics with a national patient sample. ⋯ This model provides a straightforward, precise, and easily applicable tool for identifying bariatric patients at low, intermediate, and high risk for in-hospital mortality. Notably, baseline functional status before surgery is the single most powerful predictor of perioperative survival and should be incorporated into risk stratification models.
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Surgeons performing laparoscopy need a high degree of psychomotor skills, which can be trained and assessed on virtual reality (VR) simulators. VR simulators simulate the surgical environment and assess psychomotor skills according to predefined parameters. This study aimed to validate a proficiency-based training setup that consisted of two tasks with predefined threshold values and handles with haptic feedback on the LapSim(®) VR simulator. The two tasks have been found to have construct validity in previous studies using handles without haptic feedback. ⋯ The setup employed in this study failed to establish construct validity for more than one parameter. This indicates that the simulation of haptic feedback influences the training performance on laparoscopic simulators and is an important part of validating a training setup. A haptic device should generate haptic sensations in a realistic manner, without introducing frictional forces that are not inherent to laparoscopy.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting between women undergoing open or robot-assisted thyroidectomy.
Open thyroidectomy is associated with a high incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in up to 70 % of cases. Use of the recently introduced robot-assisted endoscopic thyroidectomy using a gasless transaxillary approach has been increasing because of its several advantages over open thyroidectomy. This study compared the incidence of PONV in the women who underwent open or robot-assisted thyroidectomy. ⋯ Robotic thyroidectomy reduces the incidence and severity of PONV compared to open thyroidectomy during a 0-24-h postoperative period.
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Clinical Trial
Impact of a trimodal prehabilitation program on functional recovery after colorectal cancer surgery: a pilot study.
Patients undergoing colorectal cancer resections are at risk for delayed recovery. Prehabilitation aims to enhance functional capacity preoperatively for better toleration of surgery and to facilitate recovery. The authors previously demonstrated the limited impact of a prehabilitation program using exercise alone. They propose an expanded trimodal prehabilitation program that adds nutritional counseling, protein supplementation, and anxiety reduction to a moderate exercise program. This study aimed to estimate the impact of this trimodal program on the recovery of functional capacity compared with standard surgical care. ⋯ In this pilot study, a 1-month trimodal prehabilitation program improved postoperative functional recovery. A randomized trial is ongoing (NCT01356264).