Transoral Robotic Surgical Proficiency Via Real-Time Tactile Collision Awareness System.

OBJECTIVES: In 2009, the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of the surgical robotic system for removal of benign and malignant conditions of the upper aerodigestive tract. This novel application of robotic-assisted surgery, termed transoral robotic surgery (TORS), places robotic instruments and camera system through the mouth to reach recessed areas of the pharynx and larynx. Over the successive decade, there was a rapid adoption of TORS with a surgical growth rate that continues to increase. Despite the rapid clinical acceptance, the field of TORS has not yet seen substantive changes or advances in the technical shortcomings, the lack of which has restricted objective TORS-specific surgical skills assessment as well as subsequent skills improvement efforts. One of the primary technical challenges of TORS is operating in a confined space, where the robotic system is maneuvered within the restrictive boundaries of the mouth and throat. Due to these confined boundaries of the pharynx, instruments can frequently collide with anatomic structures such as teeth and bone, producing anatomic collisions. Therefore, we hypothesized that anatomic collisions negatively impact TORS surgical performance. Secondarily, we hypothesized that avoidance of unwanted anatomic collisions could improve TORS surgical proficiency. METHODS: Design and fidelity testing for a custom TORS training platform with an integrated anatomic collision-sensing system providing real-time tactile feedback is described. Following successful platform assembly and testing, validation study using the platform was carried through prospective surgical training with trial randomization. Twenty otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residents, each trainee performing three discrete mock surgical trials (n = 60), performed the initial system validation. Ten of the 20 residents were randomized to perform the surgical trials utilizing the real-time feedback system. The remaining 10 residents were randomized to perform the surgical trials without the feedback system, although the system still could record collision data. Surgical proficiency was measured by Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills (GEARS) score, time to completion, and tumor resection scores (categorical scale ranging 0-3, describing the adequacy of resection). RESULTS: Major anatomic collisions (greater than 5N of force) negatively affected GEARS robotic skills. A mixed model analysis demonstrated that for every additional occurrence of a major collision, GEARS robotic skills assessment score would decrease by 0.29 points (P = .04). Real-time collision awareness created significantly fewer major (> 5 N) anatomic collisions with the tactile feedback system active (n = 30, mean collisions = 2.9 ± 4.2) as compared with trials without tactile feedback (n = 30, mean collisions = 12.53 ± 23.23) (P < .001). The second assessment measure of time to completion was unaffected by the presence of collisions or by the use of tactile feedback system. The third proficiency assessment was measured with tumor resection grading. Tumor resection scores was significantly (P = .02) improved with collision awareness system activated than trials without collision awareness. CONCLUSION: In order to test our primary hypothesis, a novel TORS training platform was successfully developed that provides collision force measurements including frequency, severity, and duration of anatomic collisions. Additionally, the platform was modulated to provide real-time tactile feedback of the occurrence of out-of-field collisions. Utilizing this custom platform, our hypothesis that anatomic collisions during TORS diminishes surgical performance was supported. Additionally, our secondary hypothesis that subsequent reduction of anatomic collisions improves TORS proficiency was supported by the surgical trial. Dedicated investigation to characterize the effect size and clinical impact is required in order to translate this finding into training curriculums and into clinical utilization. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II (Randomized trial) Laryngoscope, 130:S1-S17, 2020.

Avaliação da redução tensional sobre a cicatriz em abdominoplastia com o uso de pontos de adesão de Baroudi / Evaluation of Tension Reduction on Abdominoplasty Scar Using Baroudi Adhesion Sutures

Introdução: Em 1988, Baroudi et al. publicaram um trabalho descrevendo a utilização de pontos de adesão entre o retalho dermoadiposo e a bainha anterior do músculo reto do abdome, no intuito de diminuir a formação de seroma. O presente estudo propõe-se a demonstrar uma provável correlação entre os pontos de adesão de Baroudi com a força tensional do retalho, através da medida da distância da cicatriz abdominal inferior ao xifoide antes e após os pontos de Baroudi, no transoperatório de dermolipectomia. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo prospectivo observacional. Foram selecionadas submetidas a lipoabdominoplastia no Serviço de Cirurgia Plástica da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre, no período de janeiro a abril de 2019. Aferiram-se as medidas transoperatórias da distância do apêndice xifoide esternal à cicatriz umbilical, e da primeira à cicatriz cirúrgica, pré e pós-realização dos pontos de adesão de Baroudi. A análise estatística foi realizada com o software Excel®. Resultados: Verificou-se a diminuição das distâncias apêndice xifoidecicatriz umbilical e apêndice xifoide-cicatriz após a realização da sutura de Baroudi (média de 1,5cm), pressupondo-se diminuição da tensão da cicatriz. Conclusão: As medidas aferidas no presente estudo mostraram uma diminuição da distância xifoide-cicatriz umbilical e xifoide-cicatriz abdominal inferior após a realização dos pontos de Baroudi, evidenciando uma menor tensão na cicatriz. Sugere-se estudos para avaliar como essas medidas se comportam a longo prazo e se realmente se correlacionam a uma cicatriz de melhor qualidade.

Introduction: In 1988, Baroudi et al. published a paper describing the use of adhesion points between the dermoadipose flap and the anterior rectus abdominis sheath to reduce seroma formation. This study aimed to demonstrate a probable correlation between the use of Baroudi adhesion points and reduction in flap tension force by measuring the distance from the lower abdominal scar to the xiphoid before and after using Baroudi points in dermolipectomy transoperatory. Methods: This was a prospective observational study that selected patients who underwent lipoabdominoplasty at the Santa Casa de Misericórdia Plastic Surgery Service of Porto Alegre from January to April 2019. The transoperatory measurements of distance from the sternal xiphoid appendix to the umbilical scar and from the pre-xiphoid to the postxiphoid scar before and after execution of Baroudi's adhesion points were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using Excel® software. Results: A reduction in the distances between the xiphoid-umbilical scar appendix and xiphoidscar appendix was verified after execution of Baroudi suture (mean 1.5 cm), indicating a decrease in scar tension. Conclusion: There was a decrease in the xiphoid-umbilical scar and xiphoid-lower abdominal scar distance after Baroudi stitches, indicating lower scar-tissue tension. Further studies should be conducted to evaluate these measurements in the long term and their correlation with a better-quality scar.

Cadaver study of anatomic landmark identification for placing ankle arthroscopy portals.

BACKGROUND: Arthroscopy-assisted surgery is now widely used at the ankle for osteochondral lesions of the talus, anterior and posterior impingement syndromes, talocrural or subtalar fusion, foreign body removal, and ankle instability. Injuries to the vessels and nerves may occur during these procedures. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether ultrasound topographic identification of vulnerable structures decreased the risk of iatrogenic injuries to vessels, nerves, and tendons and influenced the distance separating vulnerable structures from the arthroscope introduced through four different portals. HYPOTHESIS: Ultrasonography to identify vulnerable structures before or during arthroscopic surgery on the ankle may be useful. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty fresh cadaver ankles from body donations to the anatomy institute in Strasbourg, France, were divided into two equal groups. Preoperative ultrasonography to mark the trajectories of vessels, nerves, and tendons was performed in one group but not in the other. The portals were created using a 4-mm trocar. Each portal was then dissected. The primary evaluation criterion was the presence or absence of injuries to vessels, nerves, and tendons. The secondary evaluation criterion was the distance between these structures and the arthroscope. RESULTS: No tendon injuries occurred with ultrasonography. Without ultrasonography, there were two full-thickness tendon lesions, one to the extensor hallucis longus and the other to the Achilles tendon. Furthermore, with the anterolateral, anteromedial, and posteromedial portals, the distance separating the vessels and nerves from the arthroscope was greater with than without ultrasonography (P=0.041, P=0.005, and P=0.002), respectively; no significant difference was found with the anterior portal. DISCUSSION: Preoperative ultrasound topographic identification decreases the risk of iatrogenic injury to the vessels, nerves, and tendons during ankle arthroscopy and places these structures at a safer distance from the arthroscope. Our hypothesis was confirmed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, cadaver study.

Craniofacial features as assessed by lateral cephalometric measurements in children with Down syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study is to examine the craniofacial development of patients with Down syndrome (DS) and compare them with a neurotypical population. METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional analysis of lateral cephalometric radiographs of participants with DS. The study population consisted of children and young adults with DS aged 3-25 years. Cephalometric data were summarized by age and sex. Raw and normalized z-scores were computed. One-sample t tests were used to test whether mean z-scores differed from zero. The demographic characteristics between those with or without lateral cephalograms among all study participants were compared by Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: The study sample comprised of 27 participants with DS. Study subjects demonstrated a class III skeletal pattern. This was more pronounced in the older age groups as compared to younger age groups. Subjects also had an increased proportionate lower anterior face height to total facial height compared to normative standards. Gonial angles, mandibular plane angles, and airway measurements increased with age. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with Down syndrome present typically with class III skeletal pattern and long lower anterior facial heights. In patients with Down syndrome, comprehensive phase of orthodontic treatment may be best initiated following cessation of growth.