Intraluminal indocyanine green for intraoperative staple line leak testing in bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgical procedures have recognized benefits for morbidly obese patients. Unfortunately, staple line leaks remain a profound complication after these procedures. Currently available intraoperative surveillance modalities have multiple drawbacks, such as requiring an available upper endoscope and experienced endoscopist. Additionally, increased procedure time and resources are needed to perform intraoperative endoscopy and maintain equipment. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of all bariatric patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy procedures performed by one attending surgeon at a tertiary care facility designated as a bariatric surgical center of excellence. Patients were grouped based on procedure date being before (September 2016 to mid-October 2018) or after (mid-October 2018 to March 2019) implementation of a novel intraluminal indocyanine green leak testing protocol. Diluted indocyanine green was injected via orogastric bougie intraluminally at the location of the gastric staple line and observed with near-infrared imaging from the intraperitoneal perspective for evidence of immunofluorescence extravasation. Data from the electronic medical record and bariatric surgical outcomes database were gathered to analyze the sensitivity and specificity of this new intraoperative diagnostic modality. RESULTS: Total of 196 patients underwent bariatric surgery with intraoperative leak testing using the gastroscopy method; of these, there were 3 false negatives and 193 true negatives. Total of 59 patients underwent bariatric surgery with intraoperative leak testing using the intraluminal ICG method; of these, there was 1 true positive, 1 false positive, 0 false negatives, and 57 true negatives. Indocyanine green leak testing had a sensitivity of 100.00% and specificity of 98.28%. CONCLUSIONS: Intraluminal indocyanine green is an alternative for intraoperative detection of staple line integrity during bariatric surgical procedures with comparable specificity to intraoperative gastroscopy.

Virtual reality applied to procedural testing: the next era.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the construct validity of a virtual reality-based upper gastrointestinal endoscopy simulator as a tool for the skills training of residents. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Previous studies have demonstrated the relevance of virtual reality training as an adjunct to traditional operating room learning for residents. The use of specific task trainers, which have the ability to objectively analyze and track user performance, has been shown to demonstrate improvements in performance over time. Using this off-line technology can lessen the financial and ethical concerns of using operative time to teach basic skills. METHODS: Thirty-five residents and fellows from General Surgery and Gastrointestinal Medicine were recruited for this study. Their performance on virtual reality upper endoscopy tasks was analyzed by computer. Assessments were made on parameters such as time needed to finish the examination, completeness of the examination, and number of wall collisions. Subjective experiences were queried through questionnaires. Users were grouped according to their prior level of experience performing endoscopy. RESULTS: Construct validation of this simulator was demonstrated. Performance on visualization and biopsy tasks varied directly with the subjects' prior experience level. Subjective responses indicated that novice and intermediate users felt the simulation to be a useful experience, and that they would use the equipment in their off time if it were available. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual reality simulation may be a useful adjunct to traditional operating room experiences. Construct validity testing demonstrates the efficacy of this device. Similar objective methods of skills evaluation may be useful as part of a residency skills curriculum and as a means of procedural skills testing.