Annulus-Sparing Tetralogy of Fallot Repair: Low Risk and Benefits to Right Ventricular Geometry.

BACKGROUND: Annulus-sparing repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) carries a potential increased risk of reoperation for restenosis and unproven benefits on right ventricular (RV) geometry. METHODS: Primary TOF repairs (n = 434) between 2000 and 2012 were studied using risk-adjusted parametric techniques. Progression of cardiac dimensions was analyzed using repeated measures regression using reports of all 2,103 echocardiograms undertaken throughout the study period, to a maximum follow-up of 13.7 years. RESULTS: Repair was at a mean age of 180 days: AS approach in 296 (68%) patients; and transannular patch in 138 (32%). Intraoperative revisions (for residual stenosis) were required in 135 patients (29%). There have been 4 deaths (survival 99%). Surgical reoperation for recurrent right ventricular outflow tract stenosis was occasionally required in both groups at comparable rates (transannular patch, 5 of 136 [4%]; annulus-sparing repair, 14 of 296 [5%]; p = 0.83). Larger increases in RV end-diastolic dimensions were evident in transannular patch patients versus annulus-sparing repair patients (p < 0.0001). Other risks for RV dilation included worse grade of postoperative pulmonary regurgitation, larger right ventricular end-diastolic dimension at the time of diagnosis, and higher operative weight (all p < 0.0001). Factors associated with successful annulus-sparing repair included (1) pulmonary annulus greater than 7 mm, right ventricular end-diastolic dimension greater than 1.2 cm, and tricuspid annulus greater than 1.4 cm (all preoperatively); and (2) right ventricular outflow tract diameter greater than 10 mm and right ventricular systolic pressure less than 50 mm Hg (both intraoperatively after repair). CONCLUSIONS: Pursuit of annulus-sparing repair strategies can lower the use of transannular patch to approximately 30% with low risk of reoperation for the patient. Annulus-sparing repair is associated with significantly reduced long-term RV dilation. Pulmonary valve enlargement to approximately 10 mm and right ventricular systolic pressure less than 50 mm Hg during annulus-sparing repair are associated with low risk of recurrent stenosis.

NASA Model of "Threat and Error" in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: Patterns of Error Chains.

BACKGROUND: We introduced the National Aeronautics and Space Association threat-and-error model to our surgical unit. All admissions are considered flights, which should pass through stepwise deescalations in risk during surgical recovery. We hypothesized that errors significantly influence risk deescalation and contribute to poor outcomes. METHODS: Patient flights (524) were tracked in real time for threats, errors, and unintended states by full-time performance personnel. Expected risk deescalation was wean from mechanical support, sternal closure, extubation, intensive care unit (ICU) discharge, and discharge home. Data were accrued from clinical charts, bedside data, reporting mechanisms, and staff interviews. Infographics of flights were openly discussed weekly for consensus. RESULTS: In 12% (64 of 524) of flights, the child failed to deescalate sequentially through expected risk levels; unintended increments instead occurred. Failed deescalations were highly associated with errors (426; 257 flights; p < 0.0001). Consequential errors (263; 173 flights) were associated with a 29% rate of failed deescalation versus 4% in flights with no consequential error (p < 0.0001). The most dangerous errors were apical errors typically (84%) occurring in the operating room, which caused chains of propagating unintended states (n = 110): these had a 43% (47 of 110) rate of failed deescalation (versus 4%; p < 0.0001). Chains of unintended state were often (46%) amplified by additional (up to 7) errors in the ICU that would worsen clinical deviation. Overall, failed deescalations in risk were extremely closely linked to brain injury (n = 13; p < 0.0001) or death (n = 7; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Deaths and brain injury after pediatric cardiac surgery almost always occur from propagating error chains that originate in the operating room and are often amplified by additional ICU errors.

Pulmonary valve replacement in older children and adults using stented bioprostheses.

More than 50% of children who undergo repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) using a transannular patch will require pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) in early adulthood. The premise of PVR in this setting is to ameliorate the relentless right ventricular (RV) dilatation that otherwise occurs in the presence of severe pulmonary regurgitation. Severe RV dilatation is associated with RV dysfunction, symptoms of exercise intolerance, tricuspid regurgitation and-occasionally-life-threatening RV failure or dangerous ventricular tachyarrhythmia. Increasingly, patients referred for PVR are asymptomatic young adults with busy lives and dependants. Redo cardiac surgery in this setting is high-stakes surgery. Here, we outline the surgical approach taken in a centre with a history of >1000 such operations.

Effect of computer game playing on baseline laparoscopic simulator skills.

BACKGROUND: Studies examining the possible association between computer game playing and laparoscopic performance in general have yielded conflicting results and neither has a relationship between computer game playing and baseline performance on laparoscopic simulators been established. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the possible association between previous and present computer game playing and baseline performance on a virtual reality laparoscopic performance in a sample of potential future medical students. DESIGN: The participating students completed a questionnaire covering the weekly amount and type of computer game playing activity during the previous year and 3 years ago. They then performed 2 repetitions of 2 tasks ("gallbladder dissection" and "traverse tube") on a virtual reality laparoscopic simulator. Performance on the simulator were then analyzed for association to their computer game experience. SETTING: Local high school, Norway. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-eight students from 2 high school classes volunteered to participate in the study. RESULTS: No association between prior and present computer game playing and baseline performance was found. The results were similar both for prior and present action game playing and prior and present computer game playing in general. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that prior and present computer game playing may not affect baseline performance in a virtual reality simulator.

How to build your own coronary anastomosis simulator from scratch.

OBJECTIVES: Gaining cardiac surgical competence is a complex, multifactorial process that may take years of experience and on-the-job training. It is critical to provide suitable educational opportunities to gain the necessary knowledge, judgment and skills. In response to the multitude of factors (e.g. European Working Time Directive) currently influencing cardiac surgical training, there have been concerted efforts to reform training practices. Simulation plays an increasingly important role in the educational process and serves to fill the most important gap in the current training model, i.e. operative exposure. Therefore, a contest has been written out for cardiac surgical trainees to construct their own coronary anastomosis simulator using everyday materials. METHODS: Cardiac surgical trainees were invited to construct their own coronary anastomosis simulator. An international jury of cardiac surgeons assessed the simulator and its presentation according to preset developmental criteria (low fidelity concept, innovative character, general presentation and description, general attractiveness to the scholar, ergonomical issues, perceived haptics, number of applicable components, transportability, ease of construction, repeatability and overall costs of the simulator). RESULTS: Six prototypes of simulators built by cardiac surgical trainees were generated. A general evaluation of each simulator prototype is provided according to the preset developmental criteria. CONCLUSIONS: All simulator prototypes have provided a considerable contribution to the field of surgical simulation. By designing simulator prototypes, the trainees have demonstrated their 'out of the box' thinking capability, which is of paramount importance for the development of future innovative surgical techniques and procedures. The Valladolid cardiac team coronary anastomosis simulator box was selected for the EACTS Ethicon Simulation Award 2011. This project will be mass produced and distributed to the participants of structured simulation sessions for coronary anastomoses.

Unsupervised virtual reality training may not increase laparoscopic suturing skills.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have been published showing the effect of virtual reality simulator training on laparoscopic skills. Most of these studies have not focused on simulator training in a nonsupervised setting. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate whether virtual reality simulation training alone increases basic laparoscopic suturing skills. DESIGN: After an instructional video, a pretest involving suturing of bovine intestines was performed. The participants were then randomised into 2 groups. The study group received 4 training sessions on a virtual reality simulator whereas the other group received no training. After the training period, the suturing test was repeated. SETTING: Central Hospital, Norway. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-six internship candidates, of which 22 completed the study. RESULTS: Both groups increased their suturing skills significantly when comparing the results of the 2 tests; however, no difference was found in the increase of skills between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that virtual reality simulator training alone may not increase laparoscopic suturing skills.

Simulators in surgery.

The introduction of minimally invasive surgery has demonstrated the need for training surgical skills outside the operating room using animal models or simulators. As laparoscopic surgery involves displaying images on a screen, virtual reality simulation of the surgical tasks is feasible. Different types of simulators have become available. The existing trainers can be divided into three groups: mechanical, hybrid, and virtual reality. This article aims at giving an overview of the different simulators available and the potential of simulators in the education of surgeons with focus on virtual reality simulators. All simulators aim at training psychomotoric skills and some simulators also allow training in decision-making and anatomical orientation. In the future virtual reality simulators may become a tool for training and validation of surgical skills and monitoring the training progress.