Enhanced recovery in major colorectal surgery: safety and efficacy in an unselected surgical population at a UK district general hospital.

Background: Enhanced Recovery Programmes (ERPs) have been shown to benefit recovery following major surgery in selected centres and patient groups, but their wider applicability requires continued evaluation. The aims of this study were to assess the outcomes of the first 400 consecutive, non-selected patients, undergoing major elective colorectal surgery within an Enhanced Recovery programme at a UK District General hospital and to examine the effects of patient risk factors and operative approach on outcomes.

Methods: Since September 2005 all patients undergoing major elective colon and rectal surgery at our hospital have been treated within an ERP and their data recorded prospectively on a database.

Perceptual impairment and psychomotor control in virtual laparoscopic surgery.

Background: It is recognised that one of the major difficulties in performing laparoscopic surgery is the translation of two-dimensional video image information to a three-dimensional working area. However, research has tended to ignore the gaze and eye-hand coordination strategies employed by laparoscopic surgeons as they attempt to overcome these perceptual constraints. This study sought to examine if measures related to tool movements, gaze strategy, and eye-hand coordination (the quiet eye) differentiate between experienced and novice operators performing a two-handed manoeuvres task on a virtual reality laparoscopic surgical simulator (LAP Mentor™).

Psychomotor control in a virtual laparoscopic surgery training environment: gaze control parameters differentiate novices from experts.

Background: Surgical simulation is increasingly used to facilitate the adoption of technical skills during surgical training. This study sought to determine if gaze control parameters could differentiate between the visual control of experienced and novice operators performing an eye-hand coordination task on a virtual reality laparoscopic surgical simulator (LAP Mentor™). Typically adopted hand movement metrics reflect only one half of the eye-hand coordination relationship; therefore, little is known about how hand movements are guided and controlled by vision.

Patient attitudes to the Internet and analysis of the potential role of a dedicated colorectal website -a prospective study.

Background: The Internet has become an easily accessible source of information for patients and professionals alike. The purpose of this study were to: (i) analyse the attitudes of colorectal outpatients with regards the establishment of a dedicated, local colorectal website; and (ii) 'market research' the desired contents of such a site.

Methods: During a 4-week period, questionnaires were circulated among patients attending colorectal out-patient clinics in order to establish basic demographic data, Internet usage and investigate those areas of information that would be of interest.