An undifferentiated, pleomorphic cardiac sarcoma masquerading as myxoma.

Unlabelled: Cardiac sarcoma is a very rare cause of primary cardiac tumor. We present a case of an undifferentiated, pleomorphic cardiac sarcoma, masquerading as a cardiac myxoma on multimodal imaging evaluation, which was definitively diagnosed on intra-operative histopathologic examination followed by surgical resection.

Learning Objective: Evaluate and diagnose a rare primary cardiac tumor via multimodal imaging and a multidisciplinary approach.

Aerosol transfer of bladder urothelial and smooth muscle cells onto demucosalized colonic segments for bladder augmentation: in vivo, long term, and functional pilot study.

Background: Bladder augmentation technique has changed over the years and the current practice has significant adverse health effects and long-term sequelae. Previously, we reported a novel cell transfer technology for covering demucosalized colonic segments with bladder urothelium and smooth muscle cells through an aerosol spraying of these cells and a fibrin glue mixture.

Objective: To determine the long-term durability and functional characteristics of demucosalized segments of colon repopulated with urothelial cells in the bladder of swine for use in augmentation cystoplasty.

Medical students pursuing surgical fields have no greater innate motor dexterity than those pursuing nonsurgical fields.

Introduction: Medical students pursue different career paths based on a variety of factors. We sought to examine the impact of innate manual dexterity, both perceived and objective, on the career interests of medical students.

Methods: Third-year medical students from the University of California, Irvine were recruited for this study.

An in vivo evaluation of a novel spiral cut flexible ureteral stent.

Objective: The flow characteristics, ureteral conformance, and histopathologic changes of a novel spiral cut flexible ureteral stent (Percuflex Helical, Boston Scientific, Boston, MA) were evaluated in vivo in an acute and chronic porcine model.

Materials And Methods: Flow characteristics and ureteral conformance of the novel stent were determined in 6 acute and 6 chronic swine models and compared with a control ureteral stent (Percuflex Plus, Boston Scientific). The flow characteristics were determined in vivo after ligating the renal vessels and via a nephrostomy tube delivering a standard rate of 0.

Validation study of a virtual reality robotic simulator--role as an assessment tool?

Purpose: Virtual reality simulators are often used for surgical skill training since they facilitate deliberate practice in a controlled, low stakes environment. However, to be considered for assessment purposes rigorous construct and criterion validity must be demonstrated. We performed face, content, construct and concurrent validity testing of the dV-Trainer™ robotic surgical simulator.

Laparoscopic warm-up exercises improve performance of senior-level trainees during laparoscopic renal surgery.

Background And Purpose: Surgery is a high-stakes "performance." Yet, unlike athletes or musicians, surgeons do not engage in routine "warm-up" exercises before "performing" in the operating room. We study the impact of a preoperative warm-up exercise routine (POWER) on surgeon performance during laparoscopic surgery.

Preoperative warming up exercises improve laparoscopic operative times in an experienced laparoscopic surgeon.

Background And Purpose: Performing warm-up exercises before athletic competition or stage performance is very common; however, most surgeons do not "warm up" before performing complex surgery. We analyzed the intraoperative effects of warming up before surgery in an experienced laparoscopic surgeon.

Methods: A retrospective review of all laparoscopic partial (LPN) and radical nephrectomies (LRN) completed by an experienced laparoscopic surgeon (RVC) were analyzed according to whether warm-up exercises were performed before surgery.

The da Vinci(®) Surgical System overcomes innate hand dominance.

Background And Purpose: The robotic surgical platform has allowed for improved ergonomics, tremor filtration, and more precise surgical movements during minimally invasive surgery. We examined the impact of the da Vinci(®) Surgical System on the lateralization of manual dexterity, or handedness, innate to most surgeons.

Methods: Manual dexterity assessments were conducted among 19 robotic novices using two different skills tests: The Purdue Pegboard Test and a needle targeting test.

Robotic pyeloplasty: the University of California-Irvine experience.

Purpose: For the treatment of ureteropelvic junction obstruction laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty and open pyeloplasty have similar outcomes. We present our experience with robot assisted laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all adult robot assisted laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasties performed at our institution between November 2002 and July 2009.

A history and evolution of laparoscopic nephrectomy: perspectives from the past and future directions in the surgical management of renal tumors.

June 25, 2010 marks the twentieth anniversary of the first clinical laparoscopic nephrectomy. Since the advent of this procedure a paradigm shift toward minimally invasive options for urological surgery has been witnessed, resulting in rapid technological innovations and improved patient outcomes. A history of the minimally invasive surgical management of renal masses is presented with a focus on laparoscopic nephrectomy.

Differences in grip forces among various robotic instruments and da Vinci surgical platforms.

Introduction: The da Vinci surgical platform is becoming increasingly available and utilized. Due to the lack of haptic feedback, visual cues are necessary to estimate grip forces and tissue tensions during surgery. We directly measured the grip forces of robotic EndoWrist instruments using the three available da Vinci robotic surgical platforms.