Fundamental skills of robotic surgery: a multi-institutional randomized controlled trial for validation of a simulation-based curriculum.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and establish effectiveness of simulation-based robotic curriculum--fundamental skills of robotic surgery (FSRS). METHODS: FSRS curriculum was developed and incorporated into a virtual reality simulator, Robotic Surgical Simulator (RoSS). Fifty-three participants were randomized into an experimental group (EG) or control group (CG). The EG was asked to complete the FSRS and 1 final test on the da Vinci Surgical System (dVSS). The dVSS test consisted of 3 tasks: ball placement, suture pass, and fourth arm manipulation. The CG was directly tested on the dVSS then offered the chance to complete the FSRS and re-tested on the dVSS as a crossover (CO) group. RESULTS: Sixty-five percent of participants had never formally trained using laparoscopic surgery. Ball placement: the EG demonstrated shorter time (142 vs 164 seconds, P = .134) and more precise (1.5 vs 2.5 drops, P = .014). The CO took less time (P <.001) with greater precision (P <.001). Instruments were rarely lost from the field. Suture pass: the EG demonstrated better camera utilization (4.3 vs 3.0, P = .078). Less instrument loss occurred (0.5 vs 1.1, P = .026). Proper camera usage significantly improved (P = .009). Fourth arm manipulation: the EG took less time (132 vs 157 seconds, P = .302). Meanwhile, loss of instruments was less frequent (0.2 vs 0.8, P = .076). Precision in the CO improved significantly (P = .042) and camera control and safe instrument manipulation showed improvement (1.5 vs 3.5, 0.2 vs 0.9, respectively). CONCLUSION: FSRS curriculum is a valid, feasible, and structured curriculum that demonstrates its effectiveness by significant improvements in basic robotic surgery skills.

[Transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy: initial experience]. / Adrenalectomía transperitoneal laparoscópica: experiencia inicial.

OBJECTIVES: Since the first published report in 1992, laparoscopic adrenalectomy has been widespread and it is now accepted as the standard treatment option in most of benign diseases of the adrenal gland. Aim of the present study is to describe our initial experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy. METHODS: Between May 2001 and December 2005, 15 patients were submitted to laparoscopic adrenalectomy for benign diseases of the adrenal gland. We analyzed patients characteristics (sex, age, initial diagnosis), operative and perioperative results (operative time, blood loss, time to first oral intake) and complications. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 143 minutes. Blood loss was minimal. Mean hospital stay was 90 hours. There was no need for open conversion and complication rate was low. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic surgery of the adrenal gland is a safe and effective option which offers quality of life benefits to the patients.

Adrenalectomía transperitoneal laparoscópica: experiencia inicial / Transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy: initial experience

OBJETIVOS: La primera publicación sobre la realización de una adrenalectomía por vía laparoscópica fue presentada en 1992. Desde entonces esta técnica ha sufrido una evolución, siendo actualmente aceptada como el tratamiento estándar de la mayoría de la patología benigna de la glándula adrenal. Con este artículo tratamos de mostrar nuestra experiencia inicial de adrenalectomías laparoscópicas. MÉTODOS: Entre mayo de 2001 a diciembre de 2005 fueron incluidas 15 adrenalectomías por vía laparoscópica en pacientes que presentaban patología de la glándula adrenal benigna. Realizamos un análisis de la edad, sexo, patología, tamaño de la lesión, tiempo quirúrgico, pérdidas hemáticas, complicaciones e inicio de la primera ingestión oral. RESULTADOS: El tiempo quirúrgico fue de 143 minutos, las pérdidas hemáticas mínimas y la estancia hospitalaria de 90 horas. No se tuvo que reconvertir ninguna intervención y mínimas complicaciones intra y postoperatorias. CONCLUSIONES: La cirugía laparoscópica de la glándula adrenal es una opción segura, eficaz y con gran repercusión en la calidad de vida del paciente

OBJECTIVES: Since the first published report in 1992, laparoscopic adrenalectomy has been widespread and it is now accepted as the standard treatment option in most of benign diseases of the adrenal gland. Aim of the present study is to describe our initial experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy. METHODS: Between May 2001 and December 2005, 15 patients were submitted to laparoscopic adrenalectomy for benign diseases of the adrenal gland. We analyzed patients characteristics (sex, age, initial diagnosis), operative and perioperative results (operative time, blood loss, time to first oral intake) and complications. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 143 minutes. Blood loss was minimal. Mean hospital stay was 90 hours. There was no need for open conversion and complication rate was low. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic surgery of the adrenal gland is a safe and effective option which offers quality of life benefits to the patients

Role of chemotherapy in hormone-refractory prostate cancer. Old issues, recent advances and new perspectives.

Prostate cancer that grows despite castrate levels of testosterone and that no longer responds to any form of hormonal manipulation and for which nonhormonal approaches are required, can be precisely defined as hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). Until recently, there has been no standard chemotherapeutic approach for HRPC. In this article recent advances in the treatment of HRPC using chemotherapeutic regimens are critically reviewed. We performed a MEDLINE search of the published reports from 1995 to 2002 including chemotherapy in the treatment of HRPC. We critically reviewed a total of 84 clinical trials, of which only 6 were phase III trials, most of the studies being phase II trials. Various chemotherapeutic agents have been used. To date, the major benefits of chemotherapy in the treatment of HRPC are palliative in nature, in terms of reduction of pain and use of analgesics and improvement of performance status, as followed in the most recent trials. There is a promising activity of new drug combinations, such as vinca alkaloids and taxanes in association with estramustine. Mitoxantrone, although with a limited activity, has been shown to provide improvement in pain and quality of life for the patients. Several studies suffer from methodological deficits, such as small number of patients, heterogeneity of enrolled groups or no definitive response criteria. Further phase III studies are necessary to better evaluate the efficacy of the different regimens.