Robotic transversus abdominis release using HUGO RAS system: our initial experience.

Background: Transversus abdominis release (TAR) is an effective technique for treating large midline and off-midline hernias. Recent studies have demonstrated that robotic TAR (rTAR) is technically feasible and associated with improved outcomes compared to open surgery. There is no published experience to date describing abdominal wall reconstruction using the novel robotic platform HUGO RAS System (Medtronic®).

Risk factors for readmission after a cholecystectomy: a case-control study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors associated with 30-day hospital readmissions after a cholecystectomy.

Methods: We conducted a case-control study, with data obtained from UC-Christus from Santiago, Chile. All patients who underwent a cholecystectomy between January 2015 and December 2019 were included in the study.

Taking advantage of asynchronous digital feedback: development of an at-home basic suture skills training program for undergraduate medical students that facilitates skills retention.

Purpose: To date, there are no training programs for basic suturing that allow remote deliberate practice. This study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of a basic suture skills training program and its 6-month skill retention applying unsupervised practice and remote digital feedback.

Methods: Fourth-year medical-student trainees reviewed instructional videos from a digital platform and performed unsupervised practice as needed at their homes.

Bariatric Surgery Before and After the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: a Comparative Study of Cases Before the Onset of the Pandemic in a High-Volume Academic Center.

Introduction: At the beginning of the pandemic, studies showed a higher risk of severe surgical complications and mortality among patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection, which led to the suspension of elective surgery. Confinement and lockdown measures were shown to be associated with weight gain and less access to medical and surgical care in patients with obesity, with negative health consequences. To evaluate the safety of bariatric surgery during the pandemic, we compared 30-day complications between patients who underwent bariatric surgery immediately before with those who underwent bariatric surgery during the opening phase of the pandemic.

GALLBLADDER POLYPS: CORRELATION AND AGREEMENT BETWEEN ULTRASONOGRAPHIC AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN A POPULATION WITH HIGH INCIDENCE OF GALLBLADDER CANCER.

Background: Gallbladder polyps are becoming a common finding in ultrasound. The management has to consider the potential risk of malignant lesions.

Aims: The aim of this study was to analyze the ultrasound findings in patients undergoing cholecystectomy due to gallbladder polyps and compare them for histopathological findings (HPs).

Five-Year Experience Training Surgeons with a Laparoscopic Simulation Training Program for Bariatric Surgery: a Quasi-experimental Design.

Purpose: Nearly 200,000 laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) are performed yearly. Reported learning curves range between 50 and 150, even 500 cases to decrease the operative risk. Simulation programs could accelerate this learning curve safely; however, trainings for LRYGB are scarce.

Artificial intelligence in laparoscopic simulation: a promising future for large-scale automated evaluations.

Introduction: A limitation to expanding laparoscopic simulation training programs is the scarcity of expert evaluators. In 2019, a new digital platform for remote and asynchronous laparoscopic simulation training was validated. Through this platform, 369 trainees have been trained in 14 institutions across Latin America, collecting 6729 videos of laparoscopic training exercises.

Midterm Results of the Open and Minimally Invasive Release Technique for the Treatment of Abdominal Wall Hernias in an Academic Center.

Large hernia defects are a challenge for general and specialized hernia surgeons. The release (TAR) technique has revolutionized the treatment of complex hernias since it allows the closure of large midline hernias, as well as hernias in different locations. This study aims to report the experience with the TAR technique and mid-term results in the first 101 patients.

Remote and asynchronous training network: from a SAGES grant to an eight-country remote laparoscopic simulation training program.

Background: Limitations in surgical simulation training include lack of access to validated training programs with continuous year-round training and lack of experts' ongoing availability for feedback. A model of simulation training was developed to address these limitations. It incorporated basic and advanced laparoscopic skills curricula from a previously validated program and provided instruction through a digital platform.

Follow-up of gallbladder polyps in a high-risk population of gallbladder cancer: a cohort study and multivariate survival competing risk analysis.

Background: The risk of neoplasia in gallbladder polyps seems to be low, but the evidence from populations at high-risk of gallbladder cancer is limited. We aimed to estimate the risk and to identify the factors associated with neoplastic polyps in a high-risk Hispanic population.

Methods: A retrospective cohort was recruited between January 2010 and December 2019 at a Chilean university center.

Safety of Bariatric Surgery During the Opening Phase After the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experience at an Academic Center.

Introduction: Increased morbimortality in patients with COVID-19 infection who had undergone surgery has raised concerns about bariatric surgery safety during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, there is scarce literature on safety outcomes after bariatric surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: To determine the risk of symptomatic COVID-19 infection and associated complications during the first 30 days after bariatric surgery.

Small bowel obstruction following laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: is it always necessary to operate? A 5-year, high volume center experience.

Purpose: This study aims to describe the incidence, associated factors, etiology, and management of small bowel obstructions following laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted between January 15 and December 19 using the surgery database of our hospital. Included LRYGB patients were those that evolved with a prolonged length of stay; readmission; emergency room consult; and re-intervention due to small bowel obstruction (SBO) related symptoms with compatible radiological or intraoperative findings.

Palliative gastrojejunostomy in unresectable cancer and gastric outlet obstruction: a retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Palliative gastrojejunostomy is a surgical technique that allows restoration of oral intake among patients with gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) caused by unresectable neoplasms. Research suggests standard treatment for malignant GOO should be laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy (LGJ). This study presents the clinical outcomes of palliative gastrojejunostomy and compares results from LGJ and open gastrojejunostomy (OGJ) at our centre.

Enhanced-view totally extraperitoneal (eTEP) approach for the treatment of abdominal wall hernias: mid-term results.

Introduction: Multiple minimally invasive techniques have been described for ventral hernia repair. The recently described enhanced view totally extraperitoneal (eTEP) ventral hernia repair seems an appealing option since it allows to address midline and lateral hernias, placing the mesh in the retromuscular position without the use of traumatic fixation.

Aim: To report on the mid-term result of a series of patients with ventral hernias repaired by the eTEP approach.

Telemedicine for postoperative follow-up, virtual surgical clinics during COVID-19 pandemic.

Unlabelled: Recent coronavirus outbreak and "stay at home" policies have accelerated the implementation of virtual healthcare. Many surgery departments are implementing telemedicine to enhance remote perioperative care. However, concern still arises regarding the safety of this modality in postoperative follow-up after gastrointestinal surgery.

Video-Based Guided Simulation without Peer or Expert Feedback is Not Enough: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Simulation-Based Training for Medical Students.

Background: Feedback is a pivotal cornerstone and a challenge in psychomotor training. There are different teaching methodologies; however, some may be less effective.

Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted in 130 medical students to compare the effectiveness of the video-guided learning (VLG), peer-feedback (PFG) and the expert feedback (EFG) for teaching suturing skills.

Bariatric Surgery in Cirrhotic Patients: a Matched Case-Control Study.

Introduction: Laparoscopic bariatric surgery (LBS) in liver end-stage organ disease has been proven to improve organ function and patients' symptoms. A series of LBS in patients with cirrhosis have shown good results in weight loss, but increased risk of complications. Current literature is based on clinical series.

Implementation of intracorporeal anastomosis in laparoscopic right colectomy is safe and associated with a shorter hospital stay.

Reconstruction after laparoscopic right colectomy (LRC) can be achieved by performing an intracorporeal (IA) or an extracorporeal anastomosis (EA). This study aims to assess the safety of implementing IA in LRC, and to compare its perioperative outcomes with EA during an institution's learning curve. Patients undergoing elective LRC with IA or EA in a teaching university hospital between January 2015 and December 2018 were included.

Simultaneous TAPP inguinal repair and laparoscopic cholecystectomy: results of a case series.

Background: Cholecystectomy and inguinal hernioplasty are the most frequent surgeries in Chile and the world. Laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty, being a clean surgery, reports mesh infection rates of less than 2% and adding a simultaneous laparoscopic cholecystectomy is controversial due to an increase in the risk of mesh infection. The aim of this paper is to report the results of simultaneous TAPP hernioplasty with laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

National Trend in Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer: Analysis of the National Register in Chile.

Introduction: The laparoscopic approach for the treatment of gastric cancer has many advantages. However, outside Asia there are few large case series.

Aim: To evaluate postoperative morbidity, long-term survival, changes in indication, and the results of laparoscopic gastrectomy.

Chilean Gastric Cancer Task Force: A study protocol to obtain a clinical and molecular classification of a cohort of gastric cancer patients.

Unlabelled: Gastric cancer (GC) is the world's second-leading cause of neoplastic mortality. Genetic alterations, response to treatments, and mortality rates are highly heterogeneous across different regions. Within Latin America, GC is the leading cause of cancer death in Chile, affecting 17.