Assessing technical competence in laparoscopic surgery in France: Ratification of the GOALS rating scale.

BACKGROUND: The question of assessing surgical competence is the focus of mainly Anglo-Saxon studies. The GOALS questionnaire (Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills) specific to laparoscopic surgery assessment has been developed since 2005. The aim of the study was to assess the metrological qualities of the GOALS questionnaire after ratification in French language. METHODS: To produce a French version of the GOALS surgical competence assessing tool according to an established method (translation - backward translation - retranslation) and to check the metrological qualities (user satisfaction, acceptability, reliability and validity) of this questionnaire through observing residents while in training program on 22 residents in Gynaecology Obstetrics during the laparoscopy training, with the performance of a nephrectomy on a porcine model. RESULTS: The discrepancies in the initial translations were mainly due literal translations. Only synonymous differences were observed in the two backward translations. Comparison with original version led to 8 minor changes. No changes occurred between the 2 French versions. Satisfaction surveys when using the GOALS questionnaire by both examiners and students are similar. Face and content validity seemed good and there is no significant discrepancy between the examiners and the students (11.5 [9-15]; 12.4 [9-15]; P=0.40). Assessment by examiners showed an median value of 17.8 [9-26] with good correlation (α=0.80). By contrast, self-assessment, although there is no significant discrepancy, showed heterogeneity. GOALS French version was able to prove a significant progression both in self-assessment and external evaluation between the act performed on the first nephrectomy on the first day of the first session of the training and the fourth nephrectomy performed on the first day of the second session of the training. CONCLUSION: Our work allowed obtaining a GOALS French version with acceptable validity, good consistency between the assessments and ability to measure progress.

[Interest of complex tasks on laparoscopic virtual reality simulator]. / Intérêt des tâches complexes sur simulateur de réalité virtuelle laparoscopique.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of complex tasks on virtual reality simulator (VRS) for novice surgeons in laparoscopy learning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-five medical students were prospectively randomized in two groups (A: basic skills, n=28 and B: basic and complex skills, n=27) and then trained during two sessions on VRS. Evaluations took place before and after each training. These evaluations consisted of the achievement of an intracorporeal suture, recorded on video, with the left then with the right hand. Two independent experts evaluated those gestures blindly. RESULTS: A significant progression in terms of times and technical scores was observed in both groups between the first and the last evaluations (P between 0.001 and 0.04). Students in group B improved slower and longer than those in group A. However, left and right hands results confused did not highlight significant differences between the two groups. At the third session, the first hand to train is significantly faster in group B than in group A (P=0.04). CONCLUSION: This study found only a late and minimal impact of complex skills to reduce the execution time of intracorporeal suture. It also showed an slower and longer overall progression for those who use them compared to subjects using basic skills only.

[Prediction of spontaneous preterm birth in symptomatic patients: A review]. / Prédiction de la prématurité en cas de menace d'accouchement prématuré: revue de la littérature.

OBJECTIVE OF THE REVIEW: To identify predictors of preterm delivery in the context of threatened preterm labour. MAIN POINTS: Tobacco use and previous history of preterm delivery are the main anamnestic elements to predict preterm birth. High positive predictive value of vaginal examination is restricted to cases with strong cervical alterations like dilatation over 4 cm. In case of discrete cervical alterations, literature confirms the great interest for cervical length ultrasonographic measurement as it reduces false positive cases. Absence of fetal respiratory movements appears to be as sensitive as cervical length and could be more specific but its clinical use remains rare. Vaginal detection of fetal fibronectin is the most useful biomarker with high negative predictive value (>90%). Fibronectin quantitative test seems to enhance the positive predictive value. No other biomarker is currently used in clinical practice. Electromyography and elastography of the cervix appear to be promising approaches.

[Long-term complication of laparoscopic uterine morcellation: iatrogenic parasitic myomas]. / Complication à long terme du morcellement utérin par voie cœlioscopique: les myomes parasitiques iatrogènes.

OBJECTIVES: Identify parasitic myomas following uterine laparoscopic morcellation and describe the circumstances of diagnosis, management, potential consequences and possible preventive measures. METHODS: Retrospective study of observed cases in a university hospital between 2000 and 2012 and review of the literature. RESULTS: Five cases were identified in our department. Pelvic pain was the main symptom in three patients while one was asymptomatic and one consulted for a cystocele. The average time to diagnosis was 88 months (3-192). Surgical removal was performed in four cases by laparoscopy and vaginally for one case. Histological examination showed typical leiomyomas, but in one case, an atypical leiomyoma with limited experience for a typical primary lesion. In the literature, there are about 50 cases. One required a bowel resection and for another one, after subtotal hysterectomy, histological examination showed complex atypical endometrial hyperplasia for normal endometrium initially. CONCLUSIONS: This study should draw the attention of laparoscopic surgeon. It emphasizes, beyond a potential reoperation, a risk of atypical histological secondary processing. Surgical resection should be discussed even in case of asymptomatic lesions.

[Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery in gynecology: the situation in 2013]. / La laparoscopie par incision unique en gynécologie : état des lieux en 2013.

BACKGROUND: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is a recent technic of minimally invasive surgery that arouses a growing interest due to its potential benefits in terms of pain and cosmetic. However, in gynecology as well as in other surgical specialties, preliminary results seem to be controversial. Its feasibility and interest by comparison with conventional laparoscopy (CL) have not been confirmed by randomized multicenter studies. OBJECTIVES: Compare in gynecological surgery, feasibility and surgical outcomes (conversion rate and complications, postoperative pain, duration of surgery, length of hospital stay, appearance and cost) between SILS and CL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For this, a review of the literature from a PUBMED and Medline databases was conducted. The clinical cases and series with fewer than 10 patients were excluded. Eligible data were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 46 studies including five prospective randomized were studied in gynecology. Conversion rates and complications appear identical to those of the CL. The learning curve is also comparable. The technique is not standardized and some ergonomic problems are described. Operating time and duration of hospitalization seems to be comparable. The postoperative pain assessment found conflicting results. The cosmetic results are in favor of the single incision laparoscopy. Finally, the cost is higher. CONCLUSIONS: According to the literature, the single incision laparoscopy seems feasible and safe, with better cosmetic results. But the cost is increased and associated with no benefit in terms of pain, operating time and duration of hospitalization. Beyond cosmetics results, further randomized studies are needed to identify a possible benefit.

[Prostaglandins and the uterine cervix. Immunofluorescence study]. / Prostaglandines et col utérin. Etude en immunofluorescence.

The authors, using immunofluorescence, studied the effect of different prostaglandins (F2 alpha, E1, dimethyl PGE1) on cervical connective tissue. They analysed 80 biopsies which were carried out before and after the prostaglandins had been applied locally, both in pregnant and in non-pregnant women. The method showed that there were changes in the collagen fibres but not in fibronectin. On the other hand, there does not seem to be any difference in the collagen effect with the methods used: 1) between pregnant and non-pregnant women, and 2) between the different types of prostaglandin that were studied.