Secure and reliable endoscopic closure is of paramount importance before clinical introduction of transgastric natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). Gastrotomy closure in humans ...using standard endoclips has been reported. The aim of this study was to assess the safety of standard endoclip closure and to compare it to a new over-the-scope clip (OTSC) specifically designed for gastrotomy closure.
Gastric wall puncture and balloon dilation followed by peritoneoscopy was carried out in 20 female swine. After randomization, closure of the gastric incision was performed using a tissue approximation grasper and either endoclips or OTSCs.
Mean (+/- SD) time for gastrotomy closure using endoclips was 31.5 +/- 24.2 minutes (range 8 - 88 minutes) compared with 8.5 +/- 9.1 minutes (range 2 - 31 minutes) using OTSC (P = 0.002). No intraoperative complications occurred. Laparoscopic leak tests with insufflation and saline immersion demonstrated three minor leaks and one major leak in the endoclip closures. No leaks were observed in the OTSC group. At necropsy, complete sealing of the gastrotomy sites was found in all OTSC closures. Small, localized perigastric abscesses were observed in two animals in the OTSC group and in three animals in the endoclip group. One animal in the endoclip group was sacrificed prematurely due to signs of sepsis and was found to have gross peritonitis secondary to a leak. At necropsy, evidence of peritonitis was identified in two other animals in the endoclip group.
NOTES gastrotomy closure using standard endoclips, even with a tissue approximation grasper, is associated with an increased risk of leakage and intra-abdominal infection compared with OTSC. The significance of perigastric abscesses, which were seen in both groups, warrants further investigation.
Background
Enhanced recovery pathways (ERPs) aim to improve patient recovery. However, validated outcome measures to evaluate this complex process are lacking. The objective of this review was to ...identify how recovery is measured in ERP studies and to provide recommendations for the design of future studies.
Methods
A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane databases was conducted. Prospective studies evaluating ERPs compared with traditional care in abdominal surgery published between 2000 and 2013 were included. All reported outcomes were classified into categories: biological and physiological variables, symptom status, functional status, general health perceptions and quality of life (QoL). The phase of recovery measured was defined as baseline, intermediate (in hospital) and late (following discharge).
Results
A total of 38 studies were included based on the systematic review criteria. Biological or physiological variables other than postoperative complications were reported in 30 studies, and included return of gastrointestinal function (25 studies), pulmonary function (5) and physical strength (3). Patient‐reported symptoms, including pain (16 studies) and fatigue (9), were reported less commonly. Reporting of functional status outcomes, including mobilization (16 studies) and ability to perform activities of daily living (4), was similarly uncommon. Health aspects of QoL were reported in only seven studies. Length of follow‐up was generally short, with 24 studies reporting outcomes within 30 days or less. All studies documented in‐hospital outcomes (intermediate phase), but only 17 reported postdischarge outcomes (late phase) other than complications or readmission.
Conclusion
Patient‐reported outcomes, particularly postdischarge functional status, were not commonly reported. Future studies of the effectiveness of ERPs should include validated, patient‐reported outcomes to estimate better their impact on recovery, particularly after discharge from hospital.
Many ways to define recovery
Anaplastic meningioma is a rare and aggressive brain tumor characterised by intractable recurrences and dismal outcomes. Here, we present an integrated analysis of the whole genome, transcriptome and ...methylation profiles of primary and recurrent anaplastic meningioma. A key finding was the delineation of distinct molecular subgroups that were associated with diametrically opposed survival outcomes. Relative to lower grade meningiomas, anaplastic tumors harbored frequent driver mutations in SWI/SNF complex genes, which were confined to the poor prognosis subgroup. Aggressive disease was further characterised by transcriptional evidence of increased PRC2 activity, stemness and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Our analyses discern biologically distinct variants of anaplastic meningioma with prognostic and therapeutic significance.
The McGill Inanimate System for Training and Evaluation of Laparoscopic Skills (MISTELS) is a series of five tasks with an objective scoring system. The purpose of this study was to estimate the ...interrater and test-retest reliability of the MISTELS metrics and to assess their internal consistency.
To determine interrater reliability, two trained observers scored 10 subjects, either live or on tape. Test-retest reliability was assessed by having 12 subjects perform two tests, the second immediately following the first. Interrater and test-retest reliability were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients. Internal consistency between tasks was estimated using Cronbach's alpha.
The interrater and test-retest reliabilities for the total scores were both excellent at 0.998 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.985-1.00 and 0.892 (95% CI, 0.665-0.968), respectively. Cronbach's alpha for the first assessment of the test-retest was 0.86.
The MISTELS metrics have excellent reliability, which exceeds the threshold level of 0.8 required for high-stakes evaluations. These findings support the use of MISTELS for evaluation in many different settings, including residency training programs.
Perforation of the colon is considered to be one of the most serious complications of flexible endoscopy. The over-the-scope clip system (OTSC) has previously been shown to close small colonic ...perforations effectively. The aim of this randomized controlled porcine study was to compare acute closure strengths between the novel 11-mm over-the-scope-clip and surgical closure for large colonic perforations.
In 24 anesthetized domestic pigs, an 18-mm sigmoid perforation was created endoscopically using a needle knife and dilating balloon. The animals were randomly assigned to undergo either open surgical repair (n = 12) or endoscopic closure using the OTSC system (n = 12). Pressurized leak tests were performed during necropsy.
Mean time to perform the incision in the sigmoid colon and obtain peritoneal access was 5.5 minutes (range 3-12; SD +/- 2.5). Mean time for endoscopic closure was 6.8 minutes (range 3-14; SD +/- 3). At necropsy, all OTSC and surgical closures demonstrated complete sealing of colotomy sites. In one case peritoneum and in a second case adjacent small intestine were found incorporated into the OTSC closure. No other complications occurred. Pressurized leak tests revealed a mean burst pressure of 62.8 mmHg (range 18-112; SD 35.7) for OTSC closures and 67.4 mmHg (range 30-90; SD 19) for sutured closure. No significant differences in burst pressures were noted between the OTSC closures and surgical repair.
Closure of acute perforations using the OTSC system is comparable to surgical closure in a nonsurvival porcine model.
Simulators are being used more and more for teaching and testing laparoscopic skills. However, it has yet to be firmly established that simulator performance reflects operative laparoscopic skill. ...The study reported here was designed to test the hypothesis that laparoscopic simulator performance predicts intraoperative laparoscopic skill.
A review of our prospectively maintained database identified 40 subjects who underwent Fundamentals of Lapraoscopic Surgery (FLS) skills testing and objective intraoperative assessments within the same 6-month period. Subjects consisted of 22 novice (postgraduate year PGY 1-2), 10 intermediate (PGY 3-4), and 8 experienced (PGY 5, fellows, and attendings) laparoscopic surgeons. Laparoscopic performance was objectively assessed in the operating room using the previously validated Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skill (GOALS). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare mean FLS scores and mean GOALS scores across experience levels. The relationship between individual FLS scores and GOALS scores was assessed with linear regression analysis. A multivariate analysis evaluated FLS score and surgeon experience as predictors of intraoperative GOALS score. A receiver-operator curve (ROC) was constructed in order to define an FLS cutoff score that predicts intraoperative performance at or above the level of experienced surgeons. Significance was defined as p < 0.05.
Mean FLS scores and mean GOALS scores increased with increasing experience. Individual FLS scores correlated significantly with intraoperative GOALS scores (0.77, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis confirmed that FLS score is an independent predictor of intraoperative GOALS scores. The ROC identified an FLS cutoff score of 70 with optimal sensitivity (91%) and specificity (86%) for predicting a GOALS score at or above the level of experienced surgeons.
In this study sample, FLS simulator scores were independently predictive of intraoperative laparoscopic performance as measured by GOALS. More precisely, an FLS cutoff score of 70 optimized sensitivity and specificity for expert intraoperative performance. A larger prospective study is justified to validate these findings.
Secreted phosphoprotein-1 (SPP1) promotes cancer cell survival and regulates tumor-associated angiogenesis and inflammation, both central to the pathogenesis of malignant pleural effusion (MPE). ...Here, we examined the impact of tumor- and host-derived SPP1 in MPE formation and explored the mechanisms by which the cytokine exerts its effects. We used a syngeneic murine model of lung adenocarcinoma-induced MPE. To dissect the effects of tumor- versus host-derived SPP1, we intrapleurally injected wild-type and SPP1-knockout C57/BL/6 mice with either wild-type or SPP1-deficient syngeneic lung cancer cells. We demonstrated that both tumor- and host-derived SPP1 promoted pleural fluid accumulation and tumor dissemination in a synergistic manner (P<0.001). SPP1 of host origin elicited macrophage recruitment into the cancer-affected pleural cavity and boosted tumor angiogenesis, whereas tumor-derived SPP1 curtailed cancer cell apoptosis in vivo. Moreover, the cytokine directly promoted vascular hyper-permeability independently of vascular endothelial growth factor. In addition, SPP1 of tumor and host origin differentially affected the expression of proinflammatory and angiogenic mediators in the tumor microenvironment. These results suggest that SPP1 of tumor and host origin impact distinct aspects of MPE pathobiology to synergistically promote pleural fluid formation and pleural tumor progression. SPP1 may present an attractive target of therapeutic interventions for patients with MPE.
The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) health-related quality of life questionnaire for anal cancer (QLQ-ANL27) supplements the EORTC cancer generic measure (QLQ-C30) ...to measure concerns specific to people with anal cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy. This study tested the psychometric properties and acceptability of the QLQ-ANL27.
People with anal cancer were recruited from 15 countries to complete the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-ANL27 and provide feedback on the QLQ-ANL27. Item responses, scale structure (multitrait scaling, factor analysis), reliability (internal consistency and reproducibility) and sensitivity (known group comparisons and responsiveness to change) of the QLQ-ANL27 were evaluated.
Data from 382 people were included in the analyses. The EORTC QLQ-ANL27 was acceptable, comprehensive, and easy to complete, taking an average 8 minutes to complete. Psychometric analyses supported the EORTC QLQ-ANL27 items and reliability (Cronbach's α ranging from 0.71-0.93 and test-retest coefficients above 0.7) and validity of the scales (particularly nonstoma bowel symptoms and pain/discomfort). Most scales distinguished people according to treatment phase and performance status. Bowel (nonstoma), pain/discomfort, and vaginal symptoms were sensitive to deteriorations over time. The stoma-related scales remained untested because of low numbers of people with a stoma. Revisions to the scoring and question ordering of the sexual items were proposed.
The QLQ-ANL27 has good psychometric properties and is available in 16 languages for people treated with chemoradiotherapy for anal cancer. It is used in clinical trials and has a potential role in clinical practice.
Purpose
Practice patterns for inguinal hernia repair vary significantly among surgeons. The purpose of this study was to identify perceived indications for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (LIHR), ...and to identify barriers to its adoption and educational needs for surgeons.
Methods
A web-based survey was sent to general surgery members of several North American surgical societies, and to surgical residents through program directors. The 33-item survey was divided in 4 sections: demographics, utilization of techniques, management based on 11 clinical scenarios, reasons for not performing LIHR and educational needs for those who want to learn.
Results
Six hundred and ninety-seven general surgeons and 206 general surgery residents responded to the survey. Surgeons with MIS fellowships, and surgeons at the beginning of their careers are more likely to perform LIHR. Out of the 11 clinical scenarios, surgeons preferred a laparoscopic approach (totally extraperitoneal or transabdominal preperitoneal) for bilateral (48 %) and recurrent (44 %) hernias. However, 46 % of respondents never perform LIHR. Of these, 70 % consider the benefits of laparoscopy to be minimal, 59 % said they lack the requisite training, and 26 % are interested in learning. Surgeons (70 %) and residents (73 %) agreed that the best educational method would be a course followed by expert proctoring.
Conclusion
Surgeons remain divided on the utility of laparoscopic surgery for inguinal hernia repair. Nearly half of responding surgeons never perform LIHR, and the other half offer it selectively. One quarter of surgeons who do not perform LIHR are interested in learning. This reveals a knowledge gap that could be addressed with educational programs.
To assess the McGill Inanimate System for Training and Evaluation of Laparoscopic Skills (MISTELS) physical laparoscopic simulator for construct and predictive validity and for its educational ...utility.
MISTELS is the physical simulator incorporated by the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) in their Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) program. MISTELS' metrics have been shown to have high interrater and test-retest reliability and to correlate with skill in animal surgery.
Over 200 surgeons and trainees from 5 countries were assessed using MISTELS in a series of experiments to assess the validity of the system and to evaluate whether practicing MISTELS basic skills (transferring) would result in skill acquisition transferable to complex laparoscopic tasks (suturing).
Face validity was confirmed through questioning 44 experienced laparoscopic surgeons using global rating scales. MISTELS scores increased progressively with increasing laparoscopic experience (n = 215, P < 0.0001), and residents followed over time improved their scores (n = 24, P < 0.0001), evidence of construct validity. Results in the host institution did not differ from 5 beta sites (n = 215, external validity). MISTELS scores correlated with a highly reliable validated intraoperative rating of technical skill during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (n = 19, r = 0.81, P < 0.0004; concurrent validity). Novice laparoscopists were randomized to practice/no practice of the transfer drill for 4 weeks. Improvement in intracorporeal suturing skill was significantly related to practice but not to baseline ability, career goals, or gender (P < 0.001).
MISTELS is a practical and inexpensive inanimate system developed to teach and measure technical skills in laparoscopy. This system is reliable, valid, and a useful educational tool.
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