Laparoscopic hernioplasty in children: evaluating the learning curve

Second hernia repairs in children—a nationwide study

A New Method of Hip Coring Decompression for the Treatment of Femoral Avascular Necrosis In Sickle Cell Disease: Perioperative Safety and Preliminary Efficacy Data

Translated article] Superior capsular reconstruction of the shoulder with biceps autograft vs. Achilles allograft: A 2-year comparative study.

IntroductionThe diagnostic and therapeutic approach to axillary lymph nodes is considered indispensable in the treatment of breast cancer patients.AimTo investigate the effectiveness of 3D freehand SPECT (fhSPECT) in sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in breast cancer, compared with the use of a conventional gamma probe.Material and methodsWe retrospectively compared the fhSPECT lymph node mapping modality, with gamma probe detection in early-stage, clinically node-negative breast cancer patients, with biopsy-confirmed malignancy. The two techniques were compared based on the average number of LNs excised per axilla. The duration of SLN mapping was also compared between the two groups. The performance of the two methods on obese and post-systemic therapy patients was evaluated. FhSPECT was used in 150 cases, while the gamma probe was employed in 50 cases.ResultsFhSPECT detected at least 3 nodes in 83.3% of the patients vs. 72.0% with the γ-probe (p = 0.107). The mean number of SLNs excised per axilla was 3.66 using the γ-probe and 4.18 with fhSPECT (p = 0.03). The average surgical time was 39 ±7 min with the γ-probe and 37.54 ±17 min with fhSPECT (p = 0.228). Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) mean surgical time evolved from 40.2 ±20.77 min to 32.35 ±10.46 min (p = 0.033). In obese patients, a reduction in surgical times was noted from 45.5 ±3.09 min to 44.04 ±20.9 (p = 0.27), in addition to a significant increase in average LN detection in the fhSPECT group (4.26 ±1.44) compared to the γ-probe group (3.2 ±1.65) (p = 0.043).ConclusionsThe use of the fhSPECT modality is effective and safe, and, when compared to the γ-probe, has significant advantages in SLN mapping.

After lens extraction, if the capsular bag insufficiency occurs, there are different IOL implantation techniques. IOL implantation in the posterior chamber is safer in eyes with low endothelial cell count, peripheral anterior synechiae, shallow anterior chamber, and glaucoma. Alternative approaches for scleral fixation techniques, both with and without sutures, continue to undergo development. In this study, we aimed to compare the postoperative outcomes of the sutured scleral fixation (SSF), haptic flanged intrascleral fixation (HFISF) and four flanged intrascleral fixation (FFISF) IOL implantation techniques in eyes with the absence of capsular support. A hundred and thirty-seven aphakic eyes with the absence of capsular support were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups: group 1-SSF, group 2-HFISF (Yamane technique), and group 3-FFISF. Surgical time in minutes, preoperative and postoperative parameters such as best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal astigmatism, lenticular astigmatism, intraocular pressure (IOP), specular microscopy, central macular thickness (CMT) were recorded. Pseudophacodonesis was assessed at 6months postoperatively using a slit lamp, and early and late complications were recorded. Of the 137 eyes, 69 eyes were included in the SSF group, 41 eyes in the HFISF group, and 27 eyes in the FFISF group. No statistically significant differences were observed among the three groups in terms of age, gender, preoperative mean BCVA, corneal astigmatism, IOP, endothelial cell density, and CMT. It was observed that the mean BCVA significantly improved compared to the preoperative visual acuity in all three groups. Postoperative lenticular astigmatism, pseudophacodonesis score, percentage of the endothelial cell loss were found to be higher in FFISF groups. The surgical time was found to be shorter in the HFISF group. IOL decentration was observed in 1.44% of the SSF group and 7.40% of the FFISF group. Cystoid macular edema was observed in 5.79% of the SSF group, 4.87% of the HFISF group, and 7.40% of the FFISF group. Retinal detachment was observed in 1.44% of the SSF group and 7.31% of the HFISF group. The optimal technique for treating aphakia without capsular support remains uncertain. Surgeons are tasked with a complex decision, aiming for both excellent vision and minimal risk. This decision is based on their expertise, the distinctive ocular condition of the patient, and the availability of essential operating room equipment. In this study, the following findings were observed: in the HFISF technique, the average surgical time was found to be shorter, the SSF technique demonstrated greater stability in terms of astigmatism and pseudophacodonesis and the FFISF technique was recognized for its relatively straightforward application method. It is important to note that the three IOL implantation techniques yielded comparable outcomes in terms of postoperative BCVA, as well as early and late complications.

Living donor surgery in organ transplantation should be performed in a minimally invasive manner under conditions that are as safe as possible. The objective of this study is to examine whether the procedure for using the ovarian vein makes donor surgery less invasive in a cynomolgus monkey model of potential living-donor surgery of uterus transplantation. Twenty-two female cynomolgus monkeys aged 6-9 years and with body weights of 3.55 ± 1.28 kg were used in the study. Vessels and tissues surrounding the uterus were dissected while preserving the uterine artery/vein. The deep uterine vein was used as a venous pedicle in four monkeys (Group 1), and the ovarian vein was used instead of the deep uterine vein in 18 monkeys (Group 2). With the uterine artery/vein and deep uterine vein (Group 1) or ovarian vein (Group 2) connected to the uterus, the vaginal canal was cut. The vessels were then clamped to produce a donor surgery model. Surgical time, intraoperative organ and vascular injury were examined in each animal. The average surgical time from laparotomy to clamping of vessels was 230 ± 112 min in all 22 cynomolgus monkeys, and significantly longer in Group 1 (n = 4) than in Group 2 (n = 18) (393 ± 71 vs. 194 ± 84 min, p < 0.05). Surgical time in Group 2 showed a tendency to decrease in animals treated later in the study, with a significantly longer time in the first 10 monkeys compared with the last 8 (253 ± 65 vs. 120 ± 26 min, p < 0.05). All monkeys had no complications, including no injuries to other organs and no unanticipated vascular injury. The procedure using the ovarian vein was less invasive than that using the deep uterine vein in mimicking living-donor surgery in a cynomolgus monkey model of uterus transplantation.

ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy of cervical open-door laminoplasty by hydroxyapatite implant insertion between the lamina and the lateral mass without suturing. MethodsAll patients who underwent cervical open-door laminoplasty with C2/C7 undermining and insertion of hydroxyapatite implants from C3 to C6 were retrospectively evaluated for surgical time and neurological outcomes according to the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. To assess the alignment of the cervical spine and postoperative cervical pain, the C2–7 angle and a visual analogue scale score were used, respectively. ResultsThe population consisted of 102 women and 222 men ranging in age from 32 to 90 years. The average surgical time was 86 minutes. Fourteen of 1,296 hydroxyapatite implants were kept in place with sutures due to a weak restoration force of the hinge during surgery. No hydroxyapatite implant dislocation was detected on cervical computed tomography at 1 year after surgery. The average JOA score was 10.2±2.5 before surgery and 14.6±2.8 at 1 year after surgery. The average recovery rate was 61.8%. The average C2–7 angle at the neutral position was 7.1°±6.2° before surgery and 6.5°±6.3° at 1 year after surgery. ConclusionThis method enabled us to achieve minimal exposure of the lateral mass, prevention of lateral mass injury and dural injury, and a shorter surgical time while maintaining acceptable surgical outcomes. The idea that firm suture fixation is needed to prevent spacer deviation during cervical open-door laminoplasty may need to be revisited.

Objective: To determine the standard surgical times of the four most common general surgery procedures (unilateral inguinal hernioplasty, bilateral inguinal hernioplasty, umbilical hernioplasty and cholecystectomy) in a second-level hospital and to estimate the probability of extending the time of each of the procedures. Efficiency is a widely studied subject in economics. It involves the need for fewer elements in the production of a certain level of goods and services. Therefore, it is extremely important to consider it in the field of surgery. Materials and methods: An observational, descriptive and retrospective study. It used the operating room records from 2017 to 2019 of the General Surgery service in a second-level hospital. Based on this information, the time required for each procedure was standardized using the mean for each one (umbilical hernioplasty, unilateral or bilateral inguinal hernioplasty and cholecystectomy). The probability of extending surgical times was estimated based on the obtained data and confidence interval. Results: The mean for unilateral inguinal hernioplasty was 76 min (95.00 % CI: 72-80 min, SD 23), for bilateral inguinal hernioplasty 104.38 min (95.00 % CI: 91-116 min, SD 41.7), for umbilical hernioplasty 59.31 min (95.00 % CI: 54-63 min, SD 29.99) and for cholecystectomy 85.735 min (95.00 % CI: 83-88 min). The probability of scheduling three surgical interventions and completing all of them on time (upper limit of the CI) is 92.69 %, and the probability of scheduling three surgical interventions and extending the time of all of them is 0.0016 % (lower limit of the CI). Conclusions: Planning scheduled operations using standardized surgical times is feasible. Updated statistics on surgical procedures (average time for each procedure) are required since it is possible to more accurately detect and supervise operating room dynamics by identifying opportunity areas. This will make operating room time more efficient for the benefit of health care systems and patients.

Antecedentes: Los avances en laparoscopia tanto tecnológicos como médicos han hecho posible ampliar el espectro de patologías ginecológicas susceptibles de ser manejados por esta vía. Condiciones médicas consideradas previamente como una contraindicación a esta vía, como el embarazo, son susceptibles de ser manejadas con seguridad y eficacia manteniendo los beneficios que esta técnica ofrece. La patología anexial significa la principal causa intervención ginecológica con la cirugía mínimamente invasiva. Objetivo: Revisar el manejo de quistes anexiales gigantes, durante el embarazo, con abordaje laparoscópico y abocamiento externo umbilical. Diseño: Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo. Institución: Servicio de Ginecología Especializada, Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins (HNERM), Lima, Perú. Participantes: Gestantes con tumoración anexial gigante. Métodos: Cinco gestantes fueron ingresadas al Servicio por tumoración anexial gigante e intervenidas por laparoscopia. Principales medidas de resultados: Características y resultados de las intervenciones. Resultados: La edad promedio de las pacientes fue 22,8 años, la edad gestacional promedio fue 14,4 semanas, el promedio del tamaño de la tumoración anexial 15 cm, el tiempo promedio de cirugía 52 minutos. No se registraron complicaciones posquirúrgicas inmediatas. Todos los embarazos evolucionaron normalmente. Conclusiones: La técnica de laparoscopia con abocamiento umbilical disminuye la desventaja del aumento de la presión intraabdominal por el neumoperitoneo, además que, disminuye el tiempo operatorio y minimiza la falencia de la pericia laparoscópica.

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new surgical technique for the management of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD), consisting of localized PPV near the retinal break(s), without infusion line, associated with a drainage of subretinal fluid and cryoretinopexy. Multicentric prospective study conducted at the University Hospital of Cagliari and IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Roma. Twenty eyes affected by RRD with the causative retinal break(s) in the superior meridians were enrolled between February 2022 and June 2022. Patients with cataract ≥3, aphakia, significant posterior capsule opacification, giant retinal tears, retinal dialysis, history of trauma and PVR ≥C2 were excluded. All eyes underwent a two-port 25-gauge PPV with localized removal of the vitreous surrounding retinal break(s), followed by 20% SF6 injection and cryopexy. The surgical time was recorded for each procedure. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured at baseline and postoperative 6 months. Primary anatomic success at 6 months was achieved by 85% of patients. No complications occurred, except for three (15%) retinal re-detachments. The average surgical time was 8.61 ± 2.16 min. Overall, the difference between pre- and last postoperative mean BCVA was statistically significant (p = 0.02). Two-port dry PPV demonstrated safety and efficacy for the treatment of RRD, reaching an 85% of anatomical success rate. Although further studies are necessary to confirm the efficacy and long-term benefit of this treatment, we believe that this surgical technique could be considered a valid and safe alternative for the management of primary RRD.

INTRODUCTION: Education is at the core of neurosurgical residency, but little research has been done on the opportunity cost of surgical education. METHODS: SAP structures cases into zones of proximal development (opening, exposure, key section, and closing) and is used to evaluate resident mastery. All 1-4 level ACDF non-reoperative cases between March 2014 and March 2022 from one attending surgeon at Duke University were divided into three groups: cases without residents, cases with residents prior to implementation of SAP (before June 2018) and cases with residents after implementation with SAP (after June 2018). Surgical times for all cases were collected via electronic record review. Times were compared within levels of surgery between groups. RESULTS: There were 2140 ACDF cases identified, of which 1758 were done independently, 223 with residents prior to SAP, and 159 with residents and SAP. Across 1, 2, 3, and 4 level ACDF surgeries, cases with residents took longer to complete than when done independently, with SAP adding additional time. For 2-level ACDF cases, the average surgical time was 72.0 ± 18.2 min independently, 121.7 ± 33.7 min pre-SAP, and 143.4 ± 34.9 min post-SAP, with t-tests showing significant differences between all three groups. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant time cost for neurosurgeons to educate residents, but with some additional time, more structured education can be implemented. There is also a significant monetary cost to educating residents compared to operating independently, since it is expensive to run an operating room. Since attending neurosurgeons lose opportunities to perform more surgeries when working with residents, there is a need to incentivize and compensate surgeons who dedicate time to education.

This study investigated the use of fibrin glue and compared its effect with traditional sutures for conjunctival closure in strabismus surgery. The study included 12 patients undergoing horizontal strabismus surgery, of whom 5 underwent bilateral medial rectus muscle recessions and 7 underwent bilateral lateral rectus muscle recessions. For each patient, fibrin glue was used to close the conjunctiva of one eye and 6-0 plain sutures were used to close the other. All eyes maintained adequate closure of the conjunctiva postoperatively and there were no intraoperative or postoperative complications for an eye. However, the average surgical time needed to apply fibrin glue was considerable less than that required for closure with sutures. Furthermore, eyes closed with fibrin glue were associated with significantly less postoperative inflammation and patient discomfort than those closed with sutures. All patients and parents reported significantly less discomfort from the eyes treated with fibrin glue. These results are promising and demonstrated a safe and effective alternative to traditional suture closure in strabismus surgery. When compared to traditional suture closure, conjunctival closure with glue includes the following advantages: less postoperative patient discomfort, diminished postoperative inflammation, and potentially reduced surgical time with corresponding reduced time under general anesthesia.

ObjectiveTo investigate the surgical strategy, safety, and efficacy of close reduction and robot‐aided minimally invasive lumbopelvic fixation in treatment of traumatic spinopelvic dissociation.MethodsData of 32 patients (21 males and 11 females) with traumatic spinopelvic dissociation treated by lumbopelvic fixation with robot‐aided minimally invasive technique or conventional open procedure in our institution from March 2010 to April 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, and divided into robot group and control group. Intraoperative blood loss, surgical time, fluoroscopy frequency, total drilling times, infection rate, hospitalization time, and sacral fracture healing time were reviewed. Radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans were totally acquired to evaluate the reduction quality, residual fracture displacement, and Gras classification on screws insertion after surgery. According to the Majeed scoring system, functional outcome was assessed for each patient at the final follow‐up.ResultsThere were 12 patients in the robot group and 20 patients in the control group with no significant difference about the demographic data. The average surgical time was 148.3 ± 40.5 min with intraoperative blood loss of 142.5±36.7 mL in the robot group and 185.0 ± 47.8 min with 612.5 ± 182.7 mL in the control group (P = 0.034, P = 0.000). The robot group had a shorter mean hospitalization time at 19.9 ± 7.0 days compared to the control group with 28.6 ± 5.4 days (P = 0.010). The fluoroscopy frequency was 35.4 ± 3.0 in the robot group and 45.5 ± 3.6 in the control group (P = 0.000) and total drilling times were 7.1 ± 1.1 and 9.6 ± 1.3 (P = 0.000), respectively. The infection rate was 0% (0/12) in the robot group and 15% (3/20) in the control group (P = 0.159). According to the Gras classification on screw positioning, there were 11 cases in Grade I and 1 case in Grade II in the robot group, and 14 cases in Grade I and 6 cases in Grade II in the control group. All the patients were followed up consecutively for at least 12 months, with an average follow‐up period of 17.1 ± 3.6 months. All sacral fractures healed with an average time of 3.8 ± 0.6 months in the robot group and 4.7 ± 0.7 months in the control group (P = 0.000). According to Majeed functional assessment investigation, the mean score of the patients was 87.2 ± 4.0 in the robot group and 83.1 ± 4.5 in the control group (P = 0.015).ConclusionsRobot‐aided minimally invasive lumbopelvic fixation for traumatic spinopelvic dissociation is a safe and feasible option with advantages of less intraoperative blood loss, less radiation damage, less hospitalization time, and better functional outcome.

In recent years, bone-anchored hearing implants (BAHIs) have found wider application in the treatment of conductive and mixed hearing loss. Several surgical techniques have been developed to reduce complications, enhance healing and improve audiological and aesthetic results. We report our experience on the use of three BAHI surgery techniques: Group 1, linear incision with thinning of the subcutaneous tissue; Group 2, linear incision without thinning of the subcutaneous tissue; Group 3, punch technique (Minimally Invasive Ponto Surgery, MIPS). We retrospectively analysed patients undergoing BAHI surgery; results were evaluated on the basis of any intra-operative complication, duration of surgery and occurrence of adverse effects at the implantation site over 1 year of follow-up. We collected a total of 30 implantations (12 for Group 1, 8 for Group 2, 10 for Group 3) with an intra-operative complication rate of 25%, 0% and 10%, respectively. The average surgical time was 62.08 minutes, 34.37 minutes and 18.7 minutes respectively. During follow-up, we reported the occurrence of adverse effects in 10.63% of observations in Group 1, 3.12% in Group 2 and 2.5% in Group 3. This study confirms the low rate of intra and postoperative complications during BAHI surgery and documents the simplicity of execution of the novel MIPS technique, with a significant reduction in surgical time compared to the other two techniques, and positive effects in terms of health care costs.

Objective: To evaluate the utility of performing endonasal transsphenoidal pituitary surgery with computer-based neuronavigation, and to examine the efficacy of computer-based neuronavigation compared to fluoroscopy.Patients: We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent pituitary surgery between September 1998 and September 2008. Of 120 consecutive patients, 70 met inclusion criteria and were fully examined. The inclusion criteria were that patients had undergone endonasal transsphenoidal pituitary surgery performed by the same neurosurgeon at the same institution. Nineteen of the patients were treated using intraoperative fluoroscopy and 48 were treated using the BrainLAB VectorVision neuronavigation system. Preparation times, surgical times and associated complications were analyzed.Results: Our results indicate that image guidance reduces the overall operating room time and complication rate. Average preparation time for fluoroscopy and computer-based neuronavigation was 70.3 and 67.3 min, respectively (p = 0.3299). Average surgical time with fluoroscopy and BrainLAB was 131 and 107.9 min, respectively (p = 0.0079). The results were also analyzed with regard to other parameters such as associated complications, age and diagnoses.Conclusion: Computer guided endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery provides a three-dimensional image to the surgeon, allowing for greater visual accuracy and surgical precision and a faster procedure without radiation exposure or the need for additional personnel.