Development and validation of a transanal endoscopic rectal purse string simulator.

BACKGROUND: Rectal purse string placement for transanal mesorectal excision is challenging, and practice is difficult. The objective of this study is to build an endoscopic rectal purse string simulator and provide evidence for the validity of its use. METHODS: A low-cost transanal endoscopic rectal purse string simulator was created and used to measure the performance of participants. Participants included general surgery residents, fellows, and staff surgeons from several Canadian university-affiliated institutions across Canada. The performance of the rectal purse string placement was measured by the time to completion of the task as well scoring with a modified objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS) score and a modified advanced laparoscopic suturing (ALS) score. RESULTS: Thirty-nine participants were recruited into the study. Participants were split into three groups, based on prior experience with laparoscopic suturing, for the analysis of suturing a rectal purse string on the simulator based on three performance measures. There was a significant difference found in all three measures of performance in the three groups (time to completion p = 0.014, mean blinded OSATS score p = 0.007, mean blinded ALS score p = 0.020). Participants with previous laparoscopic suturing had significantly faster times to completion and higher skills scores when compared to residents (time: 5.1 ± 1.4 min vs 9.0 ± 4.8 min, p = 0.005; OSATS: 19.7 ± 2.8 vs 13.0 ± 5.8, p = 0.00398, ALS: 27.4 ± 4.0 vs 18.9 ± 8.5, p = 0.0151). CONCLUSIONS: A transanal endoscopic purse string simulator was constructed and preliminary testing has shown variable performance based on prior laparoscopic suturing experience.

The impact of complications after elective colorectal resection within an enhanced recovery pathway.

BACKGROUND: Despite the implementation of enhanced recovery pathways (ERP), morbidity following colorectal surgery remains high. The aim of the present study was to estimate the impact of postoperative complications on excess hospital length of stay (LOS) in patients undergoing elective colorectal resection. METHODS: A retrospective study of patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery at a single institution from 2003 to 2010 was performed. Patients managed by an ERP were compared to conventional care (CC), matched by propensity score radius matching. Complications were defined a priori. Excess (independent effect on LOS from multivariate analysis) and attributable (absolute number of additional bed days) LOS of common postoperative complications determined the impact of complications on bed utilization. Multivariate analysis was performed using multiple linear regression. RESULTS: A total of 810 propensity-score-matched patients were included (ERP = 472, CC = 338). Complications were significantly lower in the ERP group compared to the CC group (20 vs. 31%, p < 0.001). Median LOS decreased from 7 days in the CC group to 5 days in the ERP group [adjusted decrease in mean LOS of 2.8 days (95% CI 0.8, 4.8)]. Anastomotic leak, myocardial infarction and C. difficile infection had the highest excess LOS for both the ERP and CC groups. However, impaired gastrointestinal function had a higher impact on the absolute number of hospital bed days in the ERP group, as high as anastomotic leak (72.7 vs. 73.5 days respectively), while in the CC group the impact of gastrointestinal dysfunction was less of that of anastomotic leak (50.6 vs. 78.9 days respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of an ERP, postoperative complications have significant impact on total bed utilization. Impaired gastrointestinal function, given its high incidence, accounted for almost the same number of additional hospital bed days as anastomotic leak in the ERP group and is a target for quality improvement.

Current practices of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair: a population-based analysis.

PURPOSE: The selection of a laparoscopic approach for inguinal hernias varies among surgeons. It is unclear what is being done in actual practice. The purpose of this study was to report practice patterns for treatment of inguinal hernias among Quebec surgeons, and to identify factors that may be associated with the choice of operative approach. METHODS: We studied a population-based cohort of patients who underwent an inguinal hernia repair between 2007 and 2011 in Quebec, Canada. A generalized linear model was used to identify predictors associated with the selection of a laparoscopic approach. RESULTS: 49,657 inguinal hernias were repaired by 478 surgeons. Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (LIHR) was used in 8 % of all cases. LIHR was used to repair 28 % of bilateral hernias, 10 % of recurrent hernias, 6 % of unilateral hernias, and 4 % of incarcerated hernias. 268 (56 %) surgeons did not perform any laparoscopic repairs, and 11 (2 %) surgeons performed more than 100 repairs. These 11 surgeons performed 61 % of all laparoscopic cases. Patient factors significantly associated with having LIHR included younger age, fewer comorbidities, bilateral hernias, and recurrent hernias. CONCLUSION: An open approach is favored for all clinical scenarios, even for situations where published guidelines recommend a laparoscopic approach. Surgeons remain divided on the best technique for inguinal hernia repair: while more than half never perform LIHR, the small proportion who perform many use the technique for a large proportion of their cases. There appears to be a gap between the best practices put forth in guidelines and what surgeons are doing in actual practice. Identification of barriers to the broader uptake of LIHR may help inform the design of educational programs to train those who have the desire to offer this technique for certain cases, and have the volume to overcome the learning curve.

A survey of general surgeons regarding laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair: practice patterns, barriers, and educational needs.

PURPOSE: Practice patterns for inguinal hernia repair vary significantly among surgeons. The purpose of this study was to identify perceived indications for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (LIHR), and to identify barriers to its adoption and educational needs for surgeons. METHODS: A web-based survey was sent to general surgery members of several North American surgical societies, and to surgical residents through program directors. The 33-item survey was divided in 4 sections: demographics, utilization of techniques, management based on 11 clinical scenarios, reasons for not performing LIHR and educational needs for those who want to learn. RESULTS: Six hundred and ninety-seven general surgeons and 206 general surgery residents responded to the survey. Surgeons with MIS fellowships, and surgeons at the beginning of their careers are more likely to perform LIHR. Out of the 11 clinical scenarios, surgeons preferred a laparoscopic approach (totally extraperitoneal or transabdominal preperitoneal) for bilateral (48 %) and recurrent (44 %) hernias. However, 46 % of respondents never perform LIHR. Of these, 70 % consider the benefits of laparoscopy to be minimal, 59 % said they lack the requisite training, and 26 % are interested in learning. Surgeons (70 %) and residents (73 %) agreed that the best educational method would be a course followed by expert proctoring. CONCLUSION: Surgeons remain divided on the utility of laparoscopic surgery for inguinal hernia repair. Nearly half of responding surgeons never perform LIHR, and the other half offer it selectively. One quarter of surgeons who do not perform LIHR are interested in learning. This reveals a knowledge gap that could be addressed with educational programs.

Colonoscopy performance correlates with scores on the FES™ manual skills test.

INTRODUCTION: Achieving proficiency in flexible endoscopy is a major priority for general surgery training programs. The Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery (FES™) is a high-stakes examination of the knowledge and skills required to perform flexible endoscopy. The objective of this study was to establish additional evidence for the validity of the FES™ hands-on test as a measure of flexible endoscopy skills by correlating clinical colonoscopy performance with FES™ score. METHODS: Participants included FES™-naïve general surgery residents, gastroenterology fellows at all levels of training and attending physicians who regularly perform colonoscopy. Each participant completed a live colonoscopy and the FES™ hands-on test within 2 weeks. Performance on live colonoscopy was measured using the Global Assessment of Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Skills-Colonoscopy (GAGES-C, maximum score 20), and performance on the FES™ hands-on test was assessed by the simulator's computerized scoring system. The clinical assessor was blinded to simulator performance. Scores were compared using Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: A total of 24 participants were enrolled (mean age 30; 54 % male) with a broad range of endoscopy experience; 17 % reported no experience, 54 % had <25 previous colonoscopies; and 21 % had >100. The FES™ and GAGES scores reflected the broad range of endoscopy experience of the study group (FES™ score range 32-105; GAGES score range 5-20). Pearson's correlation coefficient between GAGES-C scores and FES™ hands-on test scores was 0.78 (0.54-0.90, p < 0.0001). All eight participants with GAGES-C score >15/20 achieved a passing score on the FES™ hands-on test. CONCLUSION: There is a strong correlation between clinical colonoscopy performance and scores achieved on the FES™ hands-on test. These data support the validity of FES™ as a measure of colonoscopy skills.

Impact of a bladder scan protocol on discharge efficiency within a care pathway for ambulatory inguinal herniorraphy.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is a common complication of ambulatory inguinal herniorraphy, with an incidence reaching 38%, and many surgeons require patients to void before discharge. This study aimed to assess whether the implementation of a bladder scan-based voiding protocol reduces the time until discharge after ambulatory inguinal herniorraphy without increasing the rate of POUR. METHODS: As part of a perioperative care pathway, a protocol was implemented to standardize decision making after elective inguinal hernia repair (February 2012). Patients were assessed with a bladder scan, and those with <600 mL of urine were discharged home, whereas those with more than 600 mL of urine had an in-and-out catheterization before discharge. The patients received written information about urinary symptoms and instructions to present to the emergency department if they were unable to void at home. An audit of scheduled outpatient inguinal hernia repairs between October 2011 and July 2012 was performed. Comparisons were made using the t test, Fisher's exact test, and Wilcoxon rank sum test where appropriate. Statistical significance was defined a priori as a p value lower than 0.05. RESULTS: During the study period, 124 patients underwent hernia repair: 60 before and 64 after implementation of the protocol. The findings showed no significant differences in patient characteristics, laparoscopic approach (35 vs. 33%; p = 0.80), proportion receiving general anesthesia (70 vs. 73%; p = 0.67), or amount of intravenous fluids given (793 vs. 663 mL; p = 0.07). The proportion of patients voiding before discharge was higher after protocol implementation (73 vs. 89%; p = 0.02). The protocol had no impact on median time to discharge (190 vs. 205 min; p = 0.60). Only one patient in each group presented to the emergency department with POUR (2%). CONCLUSION: After ambulatory inguinal herniorraphy, implementation of a bladder scan-based voiding protocol did not result in earlier discharge. The incidence of POUR was lower than reported in the literature.

FLS simulator performance predicts intraoperative laparoscopic skill.

INTRODUCTION: Simulators are being used more and more for teaching and testing laparoscopic skills. However, it has yet to be firmly established that simulator performance reflects operative laparoscopic skill. The study reported here was designed to test the hypothesis that laparoscopic simulator performance predicts intraoperative laparoscopic skill. METHODS: A review of our prospectively maintained database identified 40 subjects who underwent Fundamentals of Lapraoscopic Surgery (FLS) skills testing and objective intraoperative assessments within the same 6-month period. Subjects consisted of 22 novice (postgraduate year [PGY] 1-2), 10 intermediate (PGY 3-4), and 8 experienced (PGY 5, fellows, and attendings) laparoscopic surgeons. Laparoscopic performance was objectively assessed in the operating room using the previously validated Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skill (GOALS). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare mean FLS scores and mean GOALS scores across experience levels. The relationship between individual FLS scores and GOALS scores was assessed with linear regression analysis. A multivariate analysis evaluated FLS score and surgeon experience as predictors of intraoperative GOALS score. A receiver-operator curve (ROC) was constructed in order to define an FLS cutoff score that predicts intraoperative performance at or above the level of experienced surgeons. Significance was defined as p < 0.05. RESULTS: Mean FLS scores and mean GOALS scores increased with increasing experience. Individual FLS scores correlated significantly with intraoperative GOALS scores (0.77, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis confirmed that FLS score is an independent predictor of intraoperative GOALS scores. The ROC identified an FLS cutoff score of 70 with optimal sensitivity (91%) and specificity (86%) for predicting a GOALS score at or above the level of experienced surgeons. CONCLUSIONS: In this study sample, FLS simulator scores were independently predictive of intraoperative laparoscopic performance as measured by GOALS. More precisely, an FLS cutoff score of 70 optimized sensitivity and specificity for expert intraoperative performance. A larger prospective study is justified to validate these findings.