Surgical endoscopy
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Observational Study
Development and validation of a tool for non-technical skills evaluation in robotic surgery-the ICARS system.
Non-technical skills (NTS) are being increasingly recognised as vital for safe surgical practice. Numerous NTS rating systems have been developed to support effective training and assessment. Yet despite the additional challenges posed by robotic surgery, no NTS rating systems have been developed for this unique surgical environment. This study reports the development and validation of the first NTS behavioural rating system for robotic surgery. ⋯ ICARS is the first NTS behavioural rating system developed for robotic surgery. Initial validation has shown it to be an effective and reliable tool. Implementation of ICARS will supported structured training and assessment of NTS within the robotic surgical curriculum.
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Faculty experts (FE) and crowd workers (CW) can assess technical skill, but assessment of operative technique has not been explored. We sought to evaluate if CW could be taught to assess completion of the critical view of safety (CVS) in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. ⋯ A high degree of correlation was found between CW and FE in assessment of the CVS. However, in this video analysis, high technical performers did not achieve a complete CVS in most cases. Educating CW to assess operative technique for the identification of low or average performers is feasible and may broaden the application of this assessment and feedback tool.
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Anastomotic leakage following colorectal resection remains one of the most significant complications with relevant morbidity and mortality. There is evidence that a higher number of stapler firings for rectal division can affect the leak rate in double stapling anastomosis. However, there are no data concerning compression anastomosis. We present our institutional experience addressing this issue. ⋯ Our data support that multiple stapler firings for rectal division following colorectal resection has a major impact on anastomotic leak rate. Especially in laparoscopic surgery efforts should be made to minimize the number of stapler cartridges used.
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Wandering spleen is a rare clinical entity caused by absence of the spleen's peritoneal attachments, allowing the spleen to move freely within the peritoneal cavity [1]. This disease is most commonly seen in children and young women [1, 2]. Affected individuals are predisposed to complications including splenic torsion, splenic infarction, and pancreatic necrosis [3, 4]. Patients may present with constipation, an abdominal mass, swelling, or acute abdominal pain if splenic torsion has occurred [4]. Wandering spleen is difficult to diagnose without imaging, as symptoms are non-specific or may be absent. Imaging studies to confirm the diagnosis may include computed tomography (CT) scan or duplex ultrasonography [5]. Definitive management of a wandering spleen is primarily surgical [2]. Splenectomy is the preferred treatment in patients who present with an acute splenic infarction [2, 6]. Splenopexy, however, is first line treatment for patients with a non-infarcted wandering spleen [2, 7, 8]. ⋯ Our surgical technique for splenopexy was successful and the patient returned home on postoperative day four. No significant complications occurred. This video demonstrates this technique and highlights the key steps. Splenopexy by encircling the spleen with polyglactin 910 mesh is feasible, preserves splenic function, and can be performed with standard laparoscopic equipment. Tacks or transfascial sutures are a potential option for securing mesh.
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Comparative Study
Primary fascial closure during laparoscopic ventral hernia repair does not reduce 30-day wound complications.
Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) is associated with decreased wound morbidity compared to open repair. It remains unclear whether primary fascial closure (PFC) offers any benefit in reducing postoperative seroma compared to bridged repair. We hypothesized that PFC would have no effect on seroma formation following LVHR. ⋯ PFC does not decrease the risk of short-term wound complications. Given that prior studies have also suggested no difference in hernia recurrence, PFC does not appear to improve postoperative outcomes for patients undergoing LVHR.