Virtual reality simulator training equals mechanical robotic training in improving robot-assisted basic suturing skills.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the effect of a virtual reality simulator on the learning of basic robotic suturing skills. METHODS: Two randomized groups of students underwent a controlled training program. Both groups completed an identical test before and after training. The increase in the number of stitches placed during the pretest and posttest was used as an objective measure of the training effect. To evaluate the subjective feeling of understanding and mastering, the students indicated this on a visual analog scale. RESULTS: Both groups showed a significant increase in the number of stitches placed during the posttest, and an increase in subjective feeling of understanding and mastering. The increase did not differ between the groups, indicating that the virtual reality simulator equaled the mechanical trainer in training of robotic suturing technique. CONCLUSIONS: Training in basic robot-assisted suturing skills using a virtual reality simulator without additional training equaled training using a mechanical simulator.

The development of cleanup criteria for an acutely toxic pesticide at a contaminated industrial facility.

Sodium fluoroacetate, a restricted-use rodenticide, was improperly applied to kill rats in a South American steel mill. As a result of this application, several workers were seriously injured. During plant decontamination, cleanup levels were developed to ensure that any residual material remaining at the plant did not pose a health risk. Cleanup levels were developed to prevent significant exposure of workers, who could inhale contaminated dust, contact dust, or soil dust in outdoor areas or on plant floors and who could contact contaminated surfaces. On the basis of a health risk analysis, the following cleanup levels for sodium fluoroacetate were developed--air cleanup levels, 0.05 mg/m3; soil/dust cleanup levels, 100 mg/kg; and wipe sample cleanup levels, 0.2 mg/100 cm2. These risk-based cleanup levels were ultimately used to assist the regulatory agencies in reaching a decision to reopen the plant.