Mastery Learning - does the method of learning make a difference in skills acquisition for robotic surgery?

BACKGROUND: Few studies compare the effectiveness of blocked vs random practice conditions in minimally invasive surgery training, and none have evaluated these in robotic surgery training. METHODS: The dV-Trainer® and the da Vinci® Surgical System (dVSS) were used to compare practice conditions. Forty-two participants were randomized into blocked and random practice groups. Each participant performed five tasks: Ring Walk, Thread the Rings, Needle Targeting, Suture Sponge and Tubes Level 2. Transfer to the dVSS was also assessed. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between the two groups, except for a few instances. For example, during Ring Walk, the random group performed significantly faster than the blocked group (100.78 ± 5.26 s vs 121.59 ± 5.26 s, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The study results do not follow the current evidence presented in the education literature. This is the first time that blocked versus random practice was tested for robotic surgery training.

Catheter based selective hypothermia reduces stroke volume during focal cerebral ischemia in swine.

BACKGROUND: Total body hypothermia is an established neuroprotectant in global cerebral ischemia. The role of hypothermia in acute ischemic stroke remains uncertain. Selective application of hypothermia to a region of focal ischemia may provide similar protection with more rapid cooling and elimination of systemic side effects. We studied the effect of selective endovascular cooling in a focal stroke model in adult domestic swine. METHODS: After craniotomy under general anesthesia, a proximal middle cerebral artery branch was occluded for 3 h, followed by 3 h of reperfusion. In half of the animals, selective hypothermia was induced during reperfusion using a dual lumen balloon occlusion catheter placed in the ipsilateral common carotid artery. Following reperfusion, the animals were sacrificed. Brain MRI and histology were evaluated by experts who were blinded to the intervention. RESULTS: 25 animals were available for analysis. Using selective hypothermia, hemicranial temperature was successfully cooled to a mean of 26.5 °C. Average time from start of perfusion to attainment of moderate hypothermia (<30 °C) was 25 min. Mean MRI stroke volumes were significantly reduced by selective cooling (0.050±0.059 control, 0.005±0.011 hypothermia (ratio stroke:hemisphere volume) (p=0.046). Stroke pathology volumes were reduced by 42% compared with controls (p=0.256). CONCLUSIONS: Selective moderate hypothermia was rapidly induced using endovascular techniques in a clinically realistic swine stroke model. A significant reduction in stroke volume on MRI was observed. Endovascular selective hypothermia can provide neuroprotection within time frames relevant to acute ischemic stroke treatment.