Morbidity and mortality meetings to improve patient safety: a survey of 109 consultant surgeons in London, United Kingdom.

Background: Morbidity & Mortality (M&M) meetings are a critical component of clinical governance. They have the potential to improve patient outcomes, quality of care, attitudes towards patient safety and they contribute to the education of clinical staff. This study aimed to evaluate individual surgeons' experience of these meetings, and to explore their perceived usefulness and barriers to open discussion of adverse outcomes.

Development of a structured virtual reality curriculum for laparoscopic appendicectomy.

Background: Laparoscopic appendicectomy (LA) is a common surgical emergency procedure mainly performed by trainees. The aim was to develop a step-wise structured virtual reality (VR) curriculum for LA to allow junior surgeons to hone their skills in a safe and controlled environment.

Methods: A prospective randomized study was designed using a high-fidelity VR simulator.

Establishing a curriculum for the acquisition of laparoscopic psychomotor skills in the virtual reality environment.

Background: The unique psychomotor skills required in laparoscopy result in reduced patient safety during the early part of the learning curve. Evidence suggests that these may be safely acquired in the virtual reality (VR) environment. Several VR simulators are available, each preloaded with several psychomotor skills tasks that provide users with computer-generated performance metrics.

Infliximab improves inflammation and anthropometric measures in pediatric Crohn's disease.

Background And Aim: Infliximab (IFX) is a monoclonal antibody licensed to treat medically refractory Crohn's disease (CD). Our aim was to elucidate the effects of IFX therapy on clinical, growth and serum parameters in children with CD in a single pediatric center in Sydney, Australia.

Methods: A retrospective case series review of children treated with IFX for CD at Sydney Children's Hospital, Australia was undertaken, with a review of outcomes after starting IFX.