Estrategia de superación para el desarrollo de habilidades del cirujano general en el preoperatorio mediato / An upgrading strategy for the development of skills in the general surgeon in the mediated preoperative period

Introducción: La superación profesional en cirujanos generales, particularizada en la atención preoperatoria, es una vía para acrecentar la educación permanente o continua, que contribuye a formar hombres de ciencias con determinados valores y actitudes. Objetivo: Diseñar una estrategia de superación para el desarrollo de las habilidades profesionales en la atención preoperatoria mediata que contribuya al mejoramiento del desempeño profesional de los médicos cirujanos generales. Métodos: Se utilizaron como métodos teóricos: análisis-síntesis, histórico-lógico, sistematización, inducción-deducción, modelación, análisis documental, sistémico estructural funcional; y como empírico, la observación científica. Resultados: El diseño de la estrategia respondió al desarrollo de las habilidades profesionales en la atención preoperatoria mediata y se fundamentó desde los referentes filosóficos, sociológicos, psicológicos, epistemológicos, pedagógicos y la educación médica. Se concibió en cuatro etapas y se utilizó el ciclo Deming, que establece relaciones esenciales con coherencia lógica interna a la educación médica, en particular en el área de la formación permanente y continuada de los profesionales de la salud. Conclusiones: El diseño de la estrategia profesional permite el enriquecimiento de las ciencias de la educación médica desde el posgrado como ciencia en construcción, específicamente en el área de la formación permanente y continua de médicos cirujanos generales. Al profundizar desde el plano interno, externo y contextual para el desarrollo de las habilidades profesionales en el preoperatorio mediato, la estrategia propuesta resulta dinámica, lo que permite el mejoramiento del desempeño profesional a partir de la superación(AU)

Introduction: Professional improvement in general surgeons, particularly in preoperative care, is a way to increase permanent or continuous education, which contributes to the creation of men of science with certain values and attitudes. Objective: To design an upgrading strategy for the development of professional skills in preoperative care that contributes to the improvement of professional performance in general surgeons. Methods: As theoretical methods, analysis-synthesis was used, together with the historical-logical method, systematization, induction-deduction, modeling, documentary analysis, and the structural-functional-systemic method; while, at the empirical level, scientific observation was used. Results: The design of the strategy responded to the development of professional skills in preoperative mediated care and was based on philosophical, sociological, psychological, epistemological, pedagogical and medical education referents. It was conceived in four stages and used the Deming cycle, which establishes essential relationships with internal logical coherence to medical education, particularly in the area of permanent and continuous education for health professionals. Conclusions: The design of the professional strategy allows the enrichment of medical education sciences from the postgraduate level as a science under construction, specifically in the area of permanent and continuous training of general surgeons. Insofar it deepens from the internal, external and contextual levels for the development of professional skills in the mediate preoperative period, the proposed strategy is dynamic, allowing for the improvement of professional performance from the point of view of self-upgrading(AU)

Educating Outpatients for Bowel Preparation Before Colonoscopy Using Conventional Methods vs Virtual Reality Videos Plus Conventional Methods: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Adequate bowel preparation is essential for diagnostic, screening, and surveillance colonoscopy. Virtual reality (VR) has the characteristics of immersion, interaction, and imagination and has been widely used in medicine for training and teaching, indicating that it could be used in the education of outpatients for bowel preparation before colonoscopy. Objective: To investigate whether using VR videos for patient education before colonoscopy could improve bowel preparation. Design, Setting, and Participants: A prospective, single-blinded, randomized clinical trial of 346 patients undergoing colonoscopy with local anesthesia in a tertiary care hospital was conducted between October 1, 2018, and November 1, 2020. Outpatients who had indications for colonoscopy and had not received one before were enrolled. Statistical analysis was performed from November 1 to December 31, 2020. All data were analyzed according to the intention-to-treat approach. Exposures: Conventional bowel preparation education (oral instructions and written materials that had the same contents) or conventional education plus VR videos. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the quality of bowel preparation measured by the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale score (range, 0-9, where 0 indicates extremely unsatisfactory bowel preparation and 9 indicates complete bowel preparation). Secondary outcomes included polyp and adenoma detection rates, compliance with complete bowel cleansing, preprocedure anxiety, overall satisfaction, and willingness to undergo a follow-up colonoscopy. Results: A total of 346 outpatients were enrolled in the trial, with 173 patients randomly assigned to each group (control group: 87 women [50.3%]; mean [SD] age, 50.5 [12.5] years; VR video group: 84 women [48.6%]; mean [SD] age, 52.6 [11.4] years). Baseline characteristics, including demographic information, medical history, lifestyle, and the characteristics of stool, were comparable between the VR video group and the control group. The mean (SD) Boston Bowel Preparation Scale score was significantly higher in the VR video group than in the control group (7.61 [1.65] vs 7.04 [1.70]; P = .002). The detection rate of polyps (72 of 172 [41.9%] vs 46 of 172 [26.7%]; P = .003) and the detection rate of adenomas (56 of 172 [32.6%] vs 38 of 172 [22.1%]; P = .03) were also higher in the VR video group. Patients who received VR education had better compliance (119 [68.8%] vs 87 [50.3%]; P < .001) and higher mean (SD) overall satisfaction (8.68 [1.70] vs 8.16 [2.15]; P = .01) with bowel preparation. Conclusions and Relevance: Patients who received VR video education before colonoscopy had better bowel preparation, higher polyp and adenoma detection rates, and improved compliance and satisfaction. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03667911.

High-Intensity vs Low-Intensity Knowledge Translation Interventions for Surgeons and Their Association With Process and Outcome Measures Among Patients Undergoing Rectal Cancer Surgery.

Importance: Surgeon-directed knowledge translation (KT) interventions for rectal cancer surgery are designed to improve patient measures, such as rates of permanent colostomy and in-hospital mortality, and to improve survival. Objective: To evaluate the association of sustained, iterative, integrated KT rectal cancer surgery interventions directed at all surgeons with process and outcome measures among patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery in a geographic region. Design, Setting, and Participants: This quality improvement study used administrative data from patients who underwent rectal cancer surgery from April 1, 2004, to March 31, 2015, in 14 health regions in Ontario, Canada. Follow-up was completed on March 31, 2020. Exposures: Surgeons in 2 regions were offered intensive KT interventions, including annual workshops, audit and feedback sessions, and, in 1 of the 2 regions, operative demonstrations, from 2006 to 2012 (high-intensity KT group). Surgeons in the remaining 12 regions did not receive these interventions (low-intensity KT group). Main Outcomes and Measures: Among patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery, proportions of preoperative pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), preoperative radiotherapy, and type of surgery were evaluated, as were in-hospital mortality and overall survival. Logistic regression models with an interaction term between group and year were used to assess whether process measures and in-hospital mortality differed between groups over time. Results: A total of 15 683 patients were included in the analysis (10 052 [64.1%] male; mean [SD] age, 65.9 [12.1] years), of whom 3762 (24.0%) were in the high-intensity group (2459 [65.4%] male; mean [SD] age, 66.4 [12.0] years) and 11 921 (76.0%) were in the low-intensity KT group (7593 [63.7%] male; mean [SD] age, 65.7 [12.1] years). A total of 1624 patients (43.2%) in the high-intensity group and 4774 (40.0%) in the low-intensity KT group underwent preoperative MRI (P < .001); 1321 (35.1%) and 4424 (37.1%), respectively, received preoperative radiotherapy (P = .03); and 967 (25.7%) and 2365 (19.8%), respectively, received permanent stoma (P < .001). In-hospital mortality was 1.6% (59 deaths) in the high-intensity KT group and 2.2% (258 deaths) in the low-intensity KT group (P = .02). Differences remained significant in multivariable models only for permanent stoma (odds ratio [OR], 1.67; 95% CI, 1.24-2.24; P < .001) and in-hospital mortality (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.51-0.87; P = .003). In both groups over time, significant increases in the proportion of patients undergoing preoperative MRI (from 6.3% to 67.1%) and preoperative radiotherapy (from 16.5% to 44.7%) occurred, but there were no significant changes for permanent stoma (25.4% to 25.3% in the high-intensity group and 20.0% to 18.3% in the low-intensity group) and in-hospital mortality (0.8% to 0.8% in the high-intensity group and 2.2% to 1.8% in the low-intensity group). Time trends were similar between groups for measures that did or did not change over time. Patient overall survival was similar between groups (hazard ratio, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.90-1.11; P = .99). Conclusions and Relevance: In this quality improvement study, between-group differences were found in only 2 measures (permanent stoma and in-hospital mortality), but these differences were stable over time. High-intensity KT group interventions were not associated with improved patient measures and outcomes. Proper evaluation of KT or quality improvement interventions may help avoid opportunity costs associated with ineffective strategies.

High-Risk Reoperative Sternotomy-How We Do It, How We Teach It.

With the increasing number of congenital heart disease patients living into adulthood and requiring reoperations, learning a safe and efficient reoperative sternotomy is essential. This article provides insight into the successful reoperative sternotomy, including preoperative evaluation, assessing risk for cardiac injury and preparations to take depending on the level of risk, safeguards taken before and during the sternotomy, and pearls and pitfalls in managing untoward events.

The digital patient journey solution for patients undergoing elective hip and knee arthroplasty: Protocol for a pragmatic randomized controlled trial.

AIM: To describe a randomized controlled trial (RCT) protocol that will evaluate the effectiveness of a digital patient journey (DPJ) solution in improving the outcomes of patients undergoing total hip and knee arthroplasty. BACKGROUND: There is an urgent need for novel technologies to ensure sustainability, improve patient experience, and empower patients in their own care by providing information, support, and control. DESIGN: A pragmatic RCT with two parallel arms. METHODS: The participants randomized assigned to the intervention arm (N = 33) will receive access to the DPJ solution. The participants in the control arm (N = 33) will receive conventional care, which is provided face to face by using paper-based methods. The group allocations will be blinded from the study nurse during the recruitment and baseline measures, as well as from the outcome assessors. Patients with total hip arthroplasty will be followed up for 8-12 weeks, whereas patients with total knee arthroplasty will be followed up for 6-8 weeks. The primary outcome is health-related quality of life, measured by the EuroQol EQ-5D-5L scale. Secondary outcomes include functional recovery, pain, patient experience, and self-efficacy. The first results are expected to be submitted for publication in 2020. IMPACT: This study will provide information on the health effects and cost benefits of using the DPJ solution to support a patient's preparation for surgery and postdischarge surgical care. If the DPJ solution is found to be effective, its implementation into clinical practice could lead to further improvements in patient outcomes. If the DPJ solution is found to be cost effective for the hospital, it could be used to improve hospital resource efficiency.

Randomized clinical trial evaluating the effect of a visual educational leaflet on the preparation of colonoscopies in hospitalized patients

Background: the safety and diagnostic accuracy of colonoscopies depends on the quality of colon cleansing. Several factors have been reported that affect the quality of bowel cleansing, hospitalization being one of them. Aims: the aim of the study was to investigate whether a visual educational leaflet improved the level of cleanliness achieved in hospitalized patients undergoing a colonoscopy and to identify predictors of a poor bowel preparation. Methods: a prospective, single-center, endoscopist-blinded, randomized controlled trial was performed. The intervention group was given a visual educational leaflet and both groups received four liters of polyethylene glycol solution. Demographic data, personal history, reason for admission and indication for colonoscopy, work shift during which the procedure was performed and endoscopy findings were collected. The Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) was used to assess the bowel preparation. Results: one hundred and thirty-six patients were included in the study; 51.5% were male, with a mean age of 64.3 +/- 17.6 years. The educational leaflet did not result in a difference in the total BBPS obtained between the standard group and the intervention group (7 [6-9] vs 6 [5.7-9]; p = 0.17). According to the multivariable analysis, the only factors associated with a poor bowel cleansing were heart disease (OR 3.37 [1.34-8.46]; p = 0.010) and colorectal cancer (OR 3.82 [1.26-11.61]; p = 0.018). Conclusion: the use of a visual educational leaflet for the preparation of colonoscopies did not provide a significant improvement in hospitalized patients in our health area. Heart disease was identified as the only predictor of poor preparation for colonoscopy

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Randomized clinical trial evaluating the effect of a visual educational leaflet on the preparation of colonoscopies in hospitalized patients.

BACKGROUND: the safety and diagnostic accuracy of colonoscopies depends on the quality of colon cleansing. Several factors have been reported that affect the quality of bowel cleansing, hospitalization being one of them. AIMS: the aim of the study was to investigate whether a visual educational leaflet improved the level of cleanliness achieved in hospitalized patients undergoing a colonoscopy and to identify predictors of a poor bowel preparation. METHODS: a prospective, single-center, endoscopist-blinded, randomized controlled trial was performed. The intervention group was given a visual educational leaflet and both groups received four liters of polyethylene glycol solution. Demographic data, personal history, reason for admission and indication for colonoscopy, work shift during which the procedure was performed and endoscopy findings were collected. The Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) was used to assess the bowel preparation. RESULTS: one hundred and thirty-six patients were included in the study; 51.5% were male, with a mean age of 64.3 ± 17.6 years. The educational leaflet did not result in a difference in the total BBPS obtained between the standard group and the intervention group (7 [6-9] vs 6 [5.7-9]; p = 0.17). According to the multivariable analysis, the only factors associated with a poor bowel cleansing were heart disease (OR 3.37 [1.34-8.46]; p = 0.010) and colorectal cancer (OR 3.82 [1.26-11.61]; p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: the use of a visual educational leaflet for the preparation of colonoscopies did not provide a significant improvement in hospitalized patients in our health area. Heart disease was identified as the only predictor of poor preparation for colonoscopy.

The Effect of Web-Based Preoperative and Postoperative Patient Care Education on Nursing Students: A Randomized Controlled Study.

This study examined the effect of Web-based preoperative and postoperative patient care education among undergraduate nursing students. This was an experimental, randomized controlled study. The study included 305 nursing students (experimental group: n = 155, control group: n = 150), who were assessed with the following instruments: the Preoperative and Postoperative Care Knowledge Test, Preoperative and Postoperative Care Skill Control List, Clinical Decision Making in Nursing Scale, and Nursing Student Clinical Performance Evaluation Scale. t Tests and χ tests were used to evaluate the data. There was no statistically significant difference between the students' posttest knowledge levels, clinical performance assessment, or clinical decision-making scores. The experimental group was found to perform the skills of "check patient's documents and prophylactic antibiotics when going to surgery" (χ = 4.88; P = .02), "controls the surgical safety checklist (before surgery) before going to surgery" (χ = 10.41; P = .00), and "observes surgical site/dressing (χ = 7.77; P = .00)" at a statistically significantly higher level. The education provided in the Web-based education was equivalent to that provided in traditional education. Thus, Web-based education appears to be a useful tool to educate student nurses in preoperative and postoperative patient care.

Safety check list in outpatient surgery teaching. / Checklist de segurança no ensino de cirurgia ambulatorial.

This article proposes the use of a safe surgical checklist in the teaching of the discipline of Ambulatory Surgery during medical graduation. It discusses its benefits and potential implementation and adherence difficulties. It underscores the importance of developing a patient safety culture and active learning methodologies to train students for greater commitment and accountability with the quality of care provided to the community in the academic outpatient clinic of the school hospital.

Este artigo propõe a utilização de um checklist de cirurgia segura no ensino da disciplina de Cirurgia Ambulatorial durante a graduação em Medicina. Discorre sobre seus benefícios e potenciais dificuldades de implantação e adesão. Ressalta a importância do desenvolvimento da cultura de segurança do paciente e das metodologias ativas de aprendizagem para treinar os estudantes para maior compromisso e responsabilidade com a qualidade da assistência prestada à comunidade no ambulatório acadêmico do hospital escola.

Learning Curve Analysis to Determine Operative Requirements for Young Vascular Surgeons Learning Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair.

BACKGROUND: Since endovascular aneurysm repair has become predominant, the issue of training young vascular surgeons in open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery has received significant attention. Through learning curve analysis, we aimed to determine the number of cases needed for young surgeons to achieve satisfactory open surgical skills.Methods and Results:A total of 562 consecutive patients who underwent open repair either by an attending surgeon (group A) or 6 young vascular surgeons (group Y) were included and assessed with regards to the preparation, clamp, and total operation times. Although some of the patients' characteristics were different, the surgical procedures were comparable between the 2 groups. There was a clear trend towards a decrease in each 10 successive cases in group Y. The operation times in group A were constant at 72±30 (preparation), 48±10 (clamp), and 231±59 min (total), which were achieved by young vascular surgeons in 10, 30, and 10 cases, respectively. In the cumulative sum analysis, 25-27 cases were necessary for young vascular surgeons to enhance their surgical skills. The complication rate in group Y was no higher than that in group A. CONCLUSIONS: Young vascular surgeons can safely learn open AAA repair without increasing operation time or complications. Approximately 30 cases would be necessary to gain satisfactory surgical skills.

Impact of Colonoscopy Preparation Video on Boston Bowel Preparation Scale Score.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and the third most common cancer in men and the second most common cancer among women. Early detection of localized adenocarcinoma and adenomatous polyps helps reduce the mortality related to colon cancer. According to the American Gastroenterological Association, colonoscopy (CSPY) is the gold standard in screening for CRC. To improve the results of screening, the CSPY preparation (prep) needs to be optimal. This study was undertaken to determine whether a supplemental standardized educational video on bowel preparation in the viewer's native language would improve bowel preparation at the time of CSPY. After institutional review board approval, the records of adult patients who presented to the gastroenterology clinic were reviewed. Patients who underwent a CSPY were assigned according to whether they watched a supplemental educational video on CSPY bowel preparation in their native language. This video reflects the same information provided in written and verbal form at the time of CSPY scheduling. Bowel prep was rated by the endoscopist using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) and quantifies the adequacy of the preprocedure bowel prep. Participant characteristics and BBPS scores were statistically assessed for significant differences. We identified a total of 186 patients, 91 in March 2015 (pre-video intervention) and 95 in March 2016 (post-video intervention). Mean BBPS score was 7.9 and 8.54 for the March 2015 and 2016 group, respectively (p value of .0039). Although there was no statistical difference between the 2 groups with concern to gender and age, the racial makeup and BBPS score were statistically different. Multivariate analysis was performed. There was no interaction between gender or race and year effect to account for any difference in that factors' performance. Thus, it can be implied that there is not a consistent race effect but there is a consistent gender effect with females having higher success rates, regardless of video intervention (p value of .003). After controlling for both gender and race, the year effect is modestly significant (p value of .025), with the post-video subjects having higher prep success rates. A supplemental educational video incorporated into precolonoscopy teaching may provide a standardized method of effectively conveying simple bowel prep instructions in an efficient manner. This study demonstrated that using such a video produced significant results in improving the quality of bowel preparation.

Creation and Evaluation of a Preoperative Education Website for Hip and Knee Replacement Patients-A Pilot Study.

The use of websites to provide patient education is becoming more common. The benefits of a properly executed and effective preoperative patient educational intervention have been shown to result in improved psychological and physical well-being for patients undergoing surgery. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the usability, utility, and feasibility of a website we created to increase engagement and improve the quality of the preoperative education patients receive in preparation for hip and knee arthroplasty. Eighty patients who met the inclusion criteria were recruited, aged between 40 to 65, among those 52.5% were female, 71.25% were placed for knee replacement, 28.75% for hip replacement. Forty patients were randomly assigned to paper education cohort, 40 to the paper and website education cohort. However, only 19 from each cohort participated in the survey questionnaire. The outcome of interest included qualitative data for patient knowledge, satisfaction, utilities, and usability, which were assessed based on the Perceived Health Website Usability Questionnaire online survey. The paper-based survey contains ten questions using a 7-point Likert scale while the web-based survey contains fourteen questions using the same 7-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics and independent samples t-tests were used for comparative analysis of usual paper education and website education cohorts; whereby Microsoft Excel data analytics tool was used to compute the results. The Alpha level was set to 0.05 for the statistical results. The result of the study showed no statistically significant differences in both cohorts at the 0.05 level. We hypothesized that both information delivery methods were effective in increasing knowledge and engaging patients to their preoperative educations. According to the survey result for the nursing staff, they believed that the use of the website improved nursing workflow, efficiency, and patient education.

Myoma Imaging by Gynecologic Surgeons Training in Intraoperative Ultrasound Technique.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare preoperative transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) in surgeons first learning to use this technique. DESIGN: A prospective study of IOUS accuracy for mapping the size and location of myomas compared with TVUS or MRI (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Five University of California academic centers (Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco). PATIENTS: Twenty-six premenopausal women seeking uterine-sparing surgical treatment of myomas. Eligible participants could have no more than 6 myomas ≥2 cm and <10 cm and a uterine size no larger than 16 weeks by pelvic examination. INTERVENTIONS: Measurement of myomas by IOUS followed by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of fibroids. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Eligible participants had to have imaging with TVUS or MRI within the last year to assess myoma characteristics. During the RFA operation, surgeons who had undergone a 1-day training on RFA and IOUS measured all myomas visualized with IOUS. Surgeons measured more myomas than were reported on MRI (12 on MRI and 16 on IOUS) or TVUS (41 on TVUS and 62 on IOUS) in all positions (anterior, posterior, lateral, and fundal). In particular, they identified more myomas <2 cm (4 on MRI, 9 on IOUS, 1 on TVUS, and 19 on IOUS). They located 2.3 times as many myomas in the anterior position as TVUS. For the myomas ≥2 cm identified by IOUS and MRI or IOUS and TVUS, there was no statistically significant difference in the mean myoma number or the mean myoma diameter measurements. CONCLUSION: Surgeons first learning to use IOUS detect the same number of myomas ≥2 cm as identified by TVUS and MRI and find a greater number of myomas <2 cm on IOUS compared with radiologist-reported TVUS.

Checklist de segurança no ensino de cirurgia ambulatorial / Safety check list in outpatient surgery teaching

RESUMO Este artigo propõe a utilização de um checklist de cirurgia segura no ensino da disciplina de Cirurgia Ambulatorial durante a graduação em Medicina. Discorre sobre seus benefícios e potenciais dificuldades de implantação e adesão. Ressalta a importância do desenvolvimento da cultura de segurança do paciente e das metodologias ativas de aprendizagem para treinar os estudantes para maior compromisso e responsabilidade com a qualidade da assistência prestada à comunidade no ambulatório acadêmico do hospital escola.

ABSTRACT This article proposes the use of a safe surgical checklist in the teaching of the discipline of Ambulatory Surgery during medical graduation. It discusses its benefits and potential implementation and adherence difficulties. It underscores the importance of developing a patient safety culture and active learning methodologies to train students for greater commitment and accountability with the quality of care provided to the community in the academic outpatient clinic of the school hospital.

Does intervention improve the outcomes of patients after total knee replacement surgery?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a one to one intervention by a nurse on the outcomes of patients undergoing Total Knee Replacement (TNR) surgery. METHODS: A quasi-experimental design was used with 60 participants, half of which received a one to one intervention including education and exercise training by a nurse prior to surgery. Follow up was at two and four weeks post-surgery to assess pain, knee function using the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) Knee Rating Sheet and activities of daily living measured on the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). ANOVA tests were used to compare significant differences between groups. RESULTS: The intervention group had less pain at two and four weeks, p = 0.00, and better knee function at four weeks, p = 0.026. Activities of daily living were better for the intervention group at both two and four weeks, p = 0.002 and 0.048. CONCLUSION: The one to one intervention provided by a nurse before TKR surgery was instrumental in decreasing pain, improving knee function and enhancing activities of daily living.

3D printing for preoperative planning and surgical training: a review.

Surgeons typically rely on their past training and experiences as well as visual aids from medical imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) for the planning of surgical processes. Often, due to the anatomical complexity of the surgery site, two dimensional or virtual images are not sufficient to successfully convey the structural details. For such scenarios, a 3D printed model of the patient's anatomy enables personalized preoperative planning. This paper reviews critical aspects of 3D printing for preoperative planning and surgical training, starting with an overview of the process-flow and 3D printing techniques, followed by their applications spanning across multiple organ systems in the human body. State of the art in these technologies are described along with a discussion of current limitations and future opportunities.

Role of simulation in preparation for the care of conjoined twins-prenatal preparation to separation.

The rarity and complexity of conjoined twins creates a challenge for prenatal planning, delivery resuscitation, and postnatal management. The modality of simulation offers a safe practice environment for a multidisciplinary group consisting of neonatal providers, nurses, respiratory therapists, and surgeons in which to identify and address clinical decision making, procedural, and behavioral plans related to routine and emergency care of these patients. Simulation-based clinical rehearsals (SbCR) provide a unique opportunity to prepare for rare, complex, and patient specific clinical procedures and scenarios. This primer serves as a revisable tool that promotes the development of proper timing, technique, and confidence to allow for an optimal setting for delivery of safe care to conjoined twins. We describe the development and implementation of a simulation approach to all stages of care from the antenatal life, NICU care, to preparation for postnatal separation of conjoined twins.

Shorter waiting times from education to colonoscopy can improve the quality of bowel preparation: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Adequate bowel preparation is essential for an effective and safe colonoscopy. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of bowel preparation according to waiting times from education to colonoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, investigator-blinded, randomized study was performed from December 2016 to March 2017. Patients were divided into two groups: within 2 weeks (group A, n=64) or more than 2 weeks (group B, n=66) from education about bowel preparation to colonoscopy. The primary outcome was the quality of bowel preparation as assessed by the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). The secondary outcome was the polyp and adenoma detection rate. RESULTS: A total of 130 patients were enrolled. The total BBPS score was significantly higher in group A (within 2 weeks from education to colonoscopy) than in group B (more than 2 weeks). Total BBPS scores were 8.25}0.97 in group A and 7.75}1.32 in group B (P=.017). The rate of good preparation (BBPS≥8) was higher in group A than in group B (78.1% vs. 59.1%, P=.020). The rates of polyp and adenoma detection were both slightly higher in group A (polyps, 42.2% vs. 38.5%, P=.667; adenoma, 31.2% vs. 22.7%, P=.275). A numerical trend was observed for the slightly superior polyp and adenoma detection rate in group A, but it was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that shorter waiting times from education to colonoscopy can improve the quality of bowel preparation. Ensuring sufficient staff and equipment for endoscopy is one approach to reducing waiting times to colonoscopy. If waiting times can not be reduced, more contact through telephone, e-mail, and text messaging could be used to remind patients about information regarding bowel preparation.