Annulus-Sparing Tetralogy of Fallot Repair: Low Risk and Benefits to Right Ventricular Geometry.

Background: Annulus-sparing repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) carries a potential increased risk of reoperation for restenosis and unproven benefits on right ventricular (RV) geometry.

Methods: Primary TOF repairs (n = 434) between 2000 and 2012 were studied using risk-adjusted parametric techniques. Progression of cardiac dimensions was analyzed using repeated measures regression using reports of all 2,103 echocardiograms undertaken throughout the study period, to a maximum follow-up of 13.

NASA Model of "Threat and Error" in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery: Patterns of Error Chains.

Background: We introduced the National Aeronautics and Space Association threat-and-error model to our surgical unit. All admissions are considered flights, which should pass through stepwise deescalations in risk during surgical recovery. We hypothesized that errors significantly influence risk deescalation and contribute to poor outcomes.

Pulmonary valve replacement in older children and adults using stented bioprostheses.

More than 50% of children who undergo repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) using a transannular patch will require pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) in early adulthood. The premise of PVR in this setting is to ameliorate the relentless right ventricular (RV) dilatation that otherwise occurs in the presence of severe pulmonary regurgitation. Severe RV dilatation is associated with RV dysfunction, symptoms of exercise intolerance, tricuspid regurgitation and-occasionally-life-threatening RV failure or dangerous ventricular tachyarrhythmia.

Effect of computer game playing on baseline laparoscopic simulator skills.

Background: Studies examining the possible association between computer game playing and laparoscopic performance in general have yielded conflicting results and neither has a relationship between computer game playing and baseline performance on laparoscopic simulators been established.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the possible association between previous and present computer game playing and baseline performance on a virtual reality laparoscopic performance in a sample of potential future medical students.

Design: The participating students completed a questionnaire covering the weekly amount and type of computer game playing activity during the previous year and 3 years ago.

How to build your own coronary anastomosis simulator from scratch.

Objectives: Gaining cardiac surgical competence is a complex, multifactorial process that may take years of experience and on-the-job training. It is critical to provide suitable educational opportunities to gain the necessary knowledge, judgment and skills. In response to the multitude of factors (e.

Unsupervised virtual reality training may not increase laparoscopic suturing skills.

Background: Numerous studies have been published showing the effect of virtual reality simulator training on laparoscopic skills. Most of these studies have not focused on simulator training in a nonsupervised setting.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate whether virtual reality simulation training alone increases basic laparoscopic suturing skills.

Simulators in surgery.

The introduction of minimally invasive surgery has demonstrated the need for training surgical skills outside the operating room using animal models or simulators. As laparoscopic surgery involves displaying images on a screen, virtual reality simulation of the surgical tasks is feasible. Different types of simulators have become available.