Annals of surgery
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Laparoscopic skills are improved with LapMentor training: results of a randomized, double-blinded study.
To determine if prior training on the LapMentor laparoscopic simulator leads to improved performance of basic laparoscopic skills in the animate operating room environment. ⋯ This study demonstrates that prior training on the LapMentor laparoscopic simulator leads to improved resident performance of basic skills in the animate operating room environment. This work marks the first prospective, randomized evaluation of the LapMentor simulator, and provides evidence that LapMentor training may lead to improved operating room performance.
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Comparative Study
Short-term hyperglycemia in surgical patients and a study of related cellular mechanisms.
To examine cellular mechanisms by which short-term elevations of glucose or insulin impair leukocyte functions and to assess the occurrence of perioperative hyperglycemia in surgical patients. ⋯ Both short-term hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia are associated with significantly decreased monocyte HLA-DR expression, a parameter correlating with infectious complications and patient mortality. This may provide a mechanism by which high glucose and insulin impair innate immunity. It also appears that perioperative maintenance of normoglycemia will become a valid performance measure for practicing surgical specialists.
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Comparative Study
Comparison between civilian burns and combat burns from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
To assess outcome differences between locally burned civilians and military personnel burned in a distant combat zone treated in the same facility. ⋯ Mortality does not differ between civilians evacuated locally and military personnel injured in distant austere environments treated at the same center.