Use of fibrin glue for fixation of mesh and approximation of Peritoneum in Transabdominal Preperitoneal (TAPP) inguinal hernia repair: technical feasibility and early surgical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: It is a common practice to secure both mesh and peritoneum using tacks when performing a transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) inguinal hernia repair. The use of tacks to secure the mesh is well documented and has been associated with postoperative chronic pain. Recently, fibrin glue has been used to secure the mesh in these repairs but not used to reapproximate the incised peritoneum. This study assessed the technical feasibility of using fibrin glue for fixation of both mesh and peritoneum. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 33 TAPP hernia repairs were carried out in 27 consecutive patients. In all the patients, both mesh and peritoneum were secured with fibrin glue (20 primary inguinal hernia repairs, 5 bilateral hernia repairs, 1 recurrent inguinal hernia, and 1 recurrent bilateral hernia repair). RESULTS: Patients were followed up at an outpatient clinic between the second and third week after surgery. Six patients were followed up through telephone. Patients were questioned on the following factors: residual postoperative pain (groin and port sites), unplanned GP or hospital visits, employment status and number of days between their surgery and return to both work and normal activities, and recurrence. No patients had residual groin or port site pain at a median of 21 days after surgery. No patient required an unplanned follow-up appointment with their GP. One patient (recurrent repair) developed a seroma postoperatively. Median time to normal activities was 10 days (range, 3 to 21 d). CONCLUSIONS: Total glue fixation of mesh and peritoneum is technically feasible and early results show low rates of postoperative complications and pain. Randomized studies are needed to confirm this.

Basic laparoscopic skills training using fresh frozen cadaver: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether training on fresh cadavers improves the laparoscopic skills performance of novices. METHODS: Junior surgical trainees, novices (<3 laparoscopic procedure performed) in laparoscopic surgery, were randomized into control (group A) and practice groups (group B). Group B performed 10 repetitions of a set of structured laparoscopic tasks on fresh frozen cadavers (FFCs) improvised from fundamentals of laparoscopic skills technical curriculum. Performance on cadavers was scored using a validated, objective Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills scale. The baseline technical ability of the 2 groups and any transfer of skills from FFCs was measured using a full procedural laparoscopic cholecystectomy task on a virtual reality simulator before and after practice on FFCs, respectively. Nonparametric tests were used for analysis of the results. RESULTS: Twenty candidates were randomized; 1 withdrew before the study commenced, and 19 were analyzed (group A, n = 9; group B; n = 10). Four of 5 tasks (nondominant to dominant hand transfer, simulated appendectomy, intracorporeal, and extracorporeal knot tying) on FFCs showed significant improvement on learning curve analysis. After training, significant improvement was shown for safety of cautery (P = .040) and the left arm path length (P = .047) on the virtual reality simulator by the practice group. CONCLUSIONS: Training on FFCs significantly improves basic laparoscopic skills and can improve full procedural performance.

Construct validity of fresh frozen human cadaver as a training model in minimal access surgery.

BACKGROUND: The construct validity of fresh human cadaver as a training tool has not been established previously. The aims of this study were to investigate the construct validity of fresh frozen human cadaver as a method of training in minimal access surgery and determine if novices can be rapidly trained using this model to a safe level of performance. METHODS: Junior surgical trainees, novices (<3 laparoscopic procedure performed) in laparoscopic surgery, performed 10 repetitions of a set of structured laparoscopic tasks on fresh frozen cadavers. Expert laparoscopists (>100 laparoscopic procedures) performed 3 repetitions of identical tasks. Performances were scored using a validated, objective Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills scale. Scores for 3 consecutive repetitions were compared between experts and novices to determine construct validity. Furthermore, to determine if the novices reached a safe level, a trimmed mean of the experts score was used to define a benchmark. Mann-Whitney Utest was used for construct validity analysis and 1-sample t test to compare performances of the novice group with the benchmark safe score. RESULTS: Ten novices and 2 experts were recruited. Four out of 5 tasks (nondominant to dominant hand transfer; simulated appendicectomy; intracorporeal and extracorporeal knot tying) showed construct validity. Novices' scores became comparable to benchmark scores between the eighth and tenth repetition. CONCLUSION: Minimal access surgical training using fresh frozen human cadavers appears to have construct validity. The laparoscopic skills of novices can be accelerated through to a safe level within 8 to 10 repetitions.

Analysis of laboratory-based laparoscopic colorectal surgery workshops within the English National Training Programme.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine and compare the opinions of trainees and trainers attending courses using two simulation models (fresh frozen cadavers or anaesthetized pigs) and to assess trainees' degree of insight into both the difficulty of different procedures and their operative performance in the simulated environment. METHODS: Trainers and trainees attending the training courses completed questionnaires. Performance was evaluated using the Global Assessment Score (GAS). RESULTS: Data were collected over a 12-month period from 26 trainers and 77 trainees. The overall satisfaction was high after attendance at either course (4.50 vs. 4.49; p=0.83). When the opinions of the trainees and trainers in cadaveric and animal courses were compared, the findings rated the animal model as superior in terms of tissue quality (3.97 vs. 3.55; p=0.02), persistence of air leak (1.43 vs. 2.40; p<0.001), and lack of disturbance by odor (4.24 vs. 3.41; p<0.001). The cadaveric model provided more realistic simulation for port placement (4.02 vs. 3.11; p<0.001) and anatomy (4.25 vs. 3.00; p<0.001) and was perceived to be superior as a training model (4.53 vs. 3.61; p=0.001). The trainees demonstrated good insight into procedure difficulty and their operative performance. The trainees and trainers were shown to have a good concordance of scores. The trainees were more inclined to underrate and the peers to overrate their performance. CONCLUSIONS: Trainees appear to have a good insight into procedure difficulty and their ability. Both training models have advantages and disadvantages, but overall, the cadaveric model is perceived to have a higher fidelity and greater educational value.

Endoluminal insertion of colonic stents.

For patients with obstructing colonic tumours endoluminal stents provide an alternative to surgical decompression. Used either as permanent palliation, or as a bridge to surgery, colonic stents have been shown to be effective, safe, and cost effective.

Successful voiding after trial without catheter is not synonymous with recovery of bladder function after colorectal surgery.

PURPOSE: The need for monitoring postoperative urine output and the possibility of lower urinary tract dysfunction following colorectal surgery necessitates temporary urinary drainage. Current practice assumes recovery of lower urinary tract function to coincide with successful micturition after removal of urethral catheter. The aim of this study was to analyze the recovery of bladder function following colorectal surgery. METHODS: Patients undergoing colorectal operations underwent preoperative and postoperative uroflowmetry and residual urine estimation. All patients were catheterized suprapubically at surgery. Uroflowmetry and postvoid residual volumes were recorded postoperatively until recovery of bladder function was complete. RESULTS: Thirty consecutive patients underwent suprapubic catheterization, 25 of whom completed the study. Seventeen (68 percent) patients were able to pass urine within 72 hours of surgery. Recovery of lower urinary tract function was delayed in patients undergoing rectal vs. colonic resections (median, 6 vs. 3 days, P = 0.0015). Postvoid residual volumes greater than 200 ml were noted in three (20 percent) patients following rectal resections beyond the tenth postoperative day, with complete emptying achieved by six weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Apparent successful micturition following rectal resections does not always indicate recovery of bladder function. The use of suprapubic catheters, in addition to being safe and effective, allows assessment of residual volumes postoperatively and smoothes the path to full recovery of lower urinary tract function.

Preoperative intensive, community-based vs. traditional stoma education: a randomized, controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Conventional practice in colorectal surgery involves stoma education being imparted postoperatively. Proficiency in stoma management often delays patients' discharge following colorectal surgery. The aim of this randomized, controlled trial was to compare preoperative intensive, community-based stoma education with conventional postoperative stoma education after elective colorectal surgery. METHODS: Forty-two elective colorectal patients requiring a stoma were randomized into an intensive preoperative teaching (study) or postoperative (control) group. Intervention for the study group included two preoperative visits in the community during which patients were taught with audiovisual aids to use and change the stoma pouching system. Goal-directed postoperative stoma education was standardized for both groups. Outcomes measured included time to stoma proficiency, postoperative hospital stay, unplanned stoma-related interventions in the community within six weeks of discharge, and preoperative and postoperative hospital anxiety and depression scores. Cost-effectiveness of the intervention was also evaluated. RESULTS: All outcomes measured were improved in the study group, including time to stoma proficiency (5.5 vs. 9 days; P = 0.0005), hospital stay (8 vs. 10 days; P = 0.029), and unplanned stoma-related community interventions per patient (median 0 vs. 0.5; P = 0.0309). No adverse effects of the intervention were noted. The average cost saving per patient was pound 1,119 (dollar 2,104) for the study group compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Stoma education is more effective if undertaken in the preoperative setting. It results in shorter times to stoma proficiency and earlier discharge from the hospital. It also reduces stoma-related interventions in the community and has no adverse effects on patient well-being.