Surgical endoscopy
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Direct healthcare costs of patients with symptomatic diverticular disease randomized for either laparoscopic or open elective sigmoid resection are compared. Cost-effectiveness analysis of the laparoscopic approach compared with open sigmoid resections is presented. ⋯ Total healthcare costs of laparoscopic and open elective sigmoid resections for symptomatic diverticular disease are similar. As the clinical outcomes are in favor of the LSR group, candidates for an elective sigmoid resection should preferably be approached laparoscopically.
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Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery (RALS) is evolving as an important surgical approach in the field of colorectal surgery. We aimed to evaluate the learning curve for RALS procedures involving resections of the rectum and rectosigmoid. ⋯ The three phases identified with CUSUM analysis of surgeon console time represented characteristic stages of the learning curve for robotic colorectal procedures. The data suggest that the learning phase was achieved after 15 to 25 cases.
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Management of postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
The common and distressing complications of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are the main concern of 40-70% of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). The first step in preventing PONV after LC is to reduce the risk factors involving patient characteristics, surgical procedure, anesthetic technique, and postoperative care. Particularly, the use of propofol-based anesthesia can reduce the incidence of PONV after LC. ⋯ Third, antiemetic therapy combined with a serotonin receptor antagonist (ondansetron, granisetron) and droperidol or dexamethasone is highly effective in the prevention of PONV after LC. Fourth, acupressure at the P6 point is a nonpharmacologic technique that is as effective as ondansetron for preventing PONV after LC. Knowledge regarding the risk factors for PONV and antiemetics is needed for the management of PONV after LC.
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The acquisition of technical skills using surgical simulators is an area of active research and rapidly evolving technology. The LapSim is a virtual reality simulator that currently allows practice of basic laparoscopic skills and some procedures. To date, no reviews have been published with reference to a single virtual reality simulator. ⋯ Although the LapSim currently does not have any proven significant advantages over video trainers in terms of basic skills instruction and although the results of validation studies are variable, the potential for such technology to have a huge impact on surgical training is apparent. Work to determine standardized learning curves and proficiency criteria for different levels of trainees is incomplete. Moreover, defining which performance parameters measured by the LapSim accurately determine laparoscopic skill is complex. Further technological advances will undoubtedly improve the efficacy of the LapSim, and the results of large multicenter trials are anticipated.