Experimental model for transforaminal endoscopic spine

Abstract Purpose: To validate the porcine spine as a model for learning and practicing transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar procedures (TF-PELP). Methods: TF-PELP was performed in three porcine cadaver lumbar spine levels. Anatomical features of the current cadaver were compared to human and porcine spines. Performance and documentation of endoscopic procedures were described. Results: This study shows that this representative animal model reflects anatomical characteristics of the human spine. Transforaminal approaches were successfully completed. Although lower disc heights make disc puncture more difficult, the outside-in technique is feasible and more useful to identify anatomical parameters and to practice different surgical steps and maneuvers. Conclusion: This is an effective and representative model for learning and practicing this procedure. Difficulties of the procedure, as well as the differences compared to the human spine, were described.

Endoscopic sinus surgery dissection courses using a real simulator: the benefits of this training / Cursos de dissecção de cirurgia endoscópica nasossinusal em simulador real - os benefícios deste treinamento

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Endonasal surgeries are among the most common procedures performed in otolaryngology. Due to difficulty in cadaver acquisition and the intrinsic risks of training residents during operations on real patients, nasosinusal endoscopic dissection courses utilizing real simulators, such as the Sinus Model Otorhino Neuro Trainer are being developed as a new technique to facilitate the acquisition of better anatomical knowledge and surgical skill. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of nasosinusal endoscopic dissection courses with the Sinus Model Otorhino Neuro Trainer simulator in the training of otolaryngology surgeons. METHODS: A prospective, longitudinal cohort study was conducted with 111 otolaryngologists who participated in a theoretical and practical course of endoscopic surgery dissection using the Sinus Model Otorhino Neuro Trainer simulator, with application of questionnaires during and after the course. RESULTS: From the ten procedures performed utilizing the simulator, the evaluation revealed mean scores from 3.1 to 4.1 (maximum of 5). Seventy-seven participants answered the questionnaire six months after the end of the course. 93% of them reported that they could perform the procedures more safely following the course, 98% reported an improvement in their anatomical and clinical knowledge, and 85% related an improvement in their surgical ability. After the course, the number of endoscopic surgeries increased in 40% of the respondents. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic sinus dissection courses using the Sinus Model Otorhino Neuro Trainer simulator proved to be useful in the training of otolaryngologists.

RESUMO INTRODUÇÃO: Cirurgias endonasais são as cirurgias mais realizadas na otorrinolaringologia. Devido à dificuldade de adquirir cadáveres e ao risco inerente em realizar treinamento em pacientes reais, cursos de dissecção endoscópica nasossinusal em simuladores reais, como o sinus model otorhino - neuro trainer - S.I.M.O.N.T, são uma nova proposta de aquisição de maior conhecimento anatômico e habilidades cirúrgicas. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a eficácia dos cursos de dissecção de cirurgia endoscópica nasossinusal com simulador S.I.M.O.N.T. no treinamento de cirurgiões otorrinolaringologistas. MÉTODO: Estudo de coorte contemporâneo longitudinal com 111 otorrinolaringologistas que participaram de curso teórico - prático de dissecção endoscópica nasossinusal em simulador real S.I.M.O.N.T., com aplicação de questionários durante e após a realização do curso. RESULTADOS: Dos dez procedimentos realizados no simulador, a avaliação apontou para médias de notas que variaram de 3,1 a 4,1 (máximo de 5). Setenta e sete participantes responderam a avaliação 6 meses após o curso. Declararam que houve aumento da segurança após o curso, 93% dos mesmos; 98% disseram ter aumentado o conhecimento anátomo-clinico e 85% declararam um aumento da habilidade cirúrgica. Quarenta por cento aumentaram o número de cirurgias endonasais após o curso. CONCLUSÃO: Cursos de dissecção de cirurgia endonasais com simulador real S.I.M.O.N.T. mostraram ser úteis para o treinamento de otorrinolaringologistas.

La evaluación diagnóstica en los programas de posgrado del Centro Nacional de Cirugía de Mínimo Acceso / Diagnostic evaluation in postgraduate courses of the National Center of Minimun Access Surgery

Para elevar la calidad del posgrado se expone la utilidad de la aplicación de evaluaciones diagnósticas en los programas referidos a temas de cirugía laparoscópica y endoscopia digestiva. Se dio respuesta a la interrogante que refiere si existen diferencias de niveles de formación previa, en los alumnos de posgrado del Centro Nacional de Cirugía de Mínimo Acceso (CNCMA), al identificar las desigualdades de los que matricularon en 6 programas de estudio de posgrado en los años 2010 y 2011. Se aplicaron pruebas diagnósticas que permitieron ponderar los errores cometidos por los estudiantes en las temáticas de los programas de posgrado a impartir, detectando diferencias en las condiciones cognoscitivas iniciales en el período analizado. Los porcentajes generales de errores se presentaron por debajo del 50 por ciento con la excepción del Curso de Cirugía laparoscópica ginecológica que tuvo un 51 por ciento general de errores. Los resultados avalaron la pertinencia de la aplicación de las pruebas diagnósticas para permitir que los profesores puedan saber qué grado de conocimientos previos poseen los alumnos, necesarios para asimilar los contenidos de los programas docentes y en qué grado pueden haber alcanzado ya los objetivos propuestos en dichos programas

For the purpose of increasing the quality of postgraduate education, this paper presented the advantages of diagnostic evaluations in the programs including topics of laparoscopic surgery and digestive endoscopy. It gave response to the question of whether there are differences in the previous levels of formation of undergraduate students of the National Center of Minimum Access Surgery by way of identifying the inequalities among those who registered for 6 postgraduate studies in 2010 and 2011. Diagnostic tests were applied, which allowed weighing the mistakes made by the students in postgraduate topics and detecting the differences in the initial cognitive conditions during the analyzed period. The general percentages of mistakes were under 50 percent, except for the laparoscopic gynecological surgery course that showed 51 percent of mistakes. The results supported the importance of using diagnostic tests so that the professor can know in advance the level of knowledge of the participating students to assimilate the contents of the educational programs, and also to what extent they could have reached the objectives put forward in these programs

The Box Simulator Is Useful for Training Novice Endoscopists in Basic Endoscopic Techniques

PURPOSE: The present study was aimed at evaluating the usefulness of box simulators for training novice endoscopists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An explanation of the goals, contents, and features of the simulator was given to study participants. The participants then received "hands-on training" in gastrointestinal endoscopy techniques using a box simulator. Subsequently, they were asked to answer 19 structured questions about the simulator. Ratings were scored on a scale from 1 to 5 for questions concerning their first impression of the simulator. Questions on the usefulness of the simulator and the training course were answered as "agree", "disagree", or "no opinion". RESULTS: A total of 32 participants filled out the questionnaire. The mean scores on the simulator's usefulness, features, and realistic movements before the training were between 1.5 and 2.0. There were no significant differences between the mean values of the scores given by novice users compared to non-novice users. However, after receiving training on the simulator, 90.6% of the participants considered the box simulator a generally useful tool for learning basic endoscopic techniques, and 90.6% agreed that the simulator was useful for improving hand-eye coordination. CONCLUSION: Box simulators may be useful for training novice endoscopists in basic gastrointestinal endoscopic techniques.

Curso básico de entrenamiento en habilidades para cirugía endoscópica: grado de satisfacción de los profesionales en formación / Basic course in skills training for endoscopic surgey: satisfaction of undergraduate students

Introducción: El Curso Básico de Entrenamiento en Habilidades para Cirugía Endoscópica desarrollado por el Centro Latinoamericano de Investigación y Entrenamiento en Cirugía de Mínima Invasión (CLEMI) suministra al estudiante las herramientas necesarias para el aprendizaje de conceptos básicos en cirugía mínimamente invasiva. El objetivo de este estudio es conocer el grado de satisfacción de los profesionales en formación con el curso. Materiales y métodos: entre los meses de junio y octubre del año 2008, se realizaron 7 cursos básicos con un total de 40 estudiantes. Se elaboraron dos encuestas que los estudiantes diligenciaron antes y después del curso. Las encuestas exploraron el perfil del estudiante, sus expectativas con respecto al curso y su grado de satisfacción. Resultados: de los 40 encuestados, 36 (90%) eran especialistas en ortopedia, ginecología, urología y cirugía general. El 69,6% de los que habían recibido entrenamiento en cirugía de mínima invasión, lo hizo con pacientes. El 100% de los estudiantes le confirieron una importancia máxima a los objetivos esencialmente prácticos del curso que corresponden al desarrollo de habilidades y destrezas en espacios bidimensionales, triangulación y precisión así como disección, corte y sutura en plantillas y modelos anatómicos de animales no vivos. El 97% de los profesionales estuvo satisfecho con el cumplimiento de los objetivos del curso. Discusión: el curso básico es un proyecto innovador en Latinoamérica que busca satisfacer las necesidades de entrenamiento de los cirujanos de las diferentes especialidades. Los resultados muestran el cumplimiento de las expectativas de formación demandadas por los profesionales.

Endourología: Organización en una Cátedra y Servico de Urología / Endourology: Organization of a cathedra and urologic Service

Se presenta la organización ideal de una sección de Endourología dentro de una Cátedra y Servicio de Urología para cumplir funciones docentes asistenciales y de investigación

Formación en endoscopia digestiva: consideraciones, experiencias y aportes metodológicos / Training in digestive endoscopy: considerations, experiences and methodological contributions

Se consideran los aportes bibliográficos sobre educación en endoscopía edigestiva y la necesidad de establecer en Argentina una programación curricular para su enseñanza- aprendizaje. Se presenta la experiencia de los autores adquirida durante el dictado de ocho Cursos Básicos o de iniciación y ocho Cursos Superiores o de perfeccionamiento. En ellos utilizaron seis simuladores didacticos y cinematografía endoscópica que complementó a las simulaciones escritas. Se exponen aspectos conceptuales y metodológicos para realizar la programación curricular de la formación abarcando al educando desde el estudiante de medicina al gastroenterólogo o ciujano más dedicado o especialista en endoscopia digestiva