Immediate surgery compared with short-course neoadjuvant gemcitabine plus capecitabine, FOLFIRINOX, or chemoradiotherapy in patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (ESPAC5): a four-arm, multicentre, randomised, phase 2 trial.

Background: Patients with borderline resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma have relatively low resection rates and poor survival despite the use of adjuvant chemotherapy. The aim of our study was to establish the feasibility and efficacy of three different types of short-course neoadjuvant therapy compared with immediate surgery.

Methods: ESPAC5 (formerly known as ESPAC-5f) was a multicentre, open label, randomised controlled trial done in 16 pancreatic centres in two countries (UK and Germany).

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on pancreatic cancer services and treatment pathways: United Kingdom experience.

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic presented healthcare providers with an extreme challenge to provide cancer services. The impact upon the diagnostic and treatment capacity to treat pancreatic cancer is unclear. This study aimed to identify national variation in treatment pathways during the pandemic.

A training tool to assess laparoscopic image navigation task performance in novice camera assistants.

Background: A number of tools for assessing task performance of the laparoscopic camera assistant have been described, but few focus on the acquisition and assessment of the attainment of proficiency in novice laparoscopic camera assistants. Our aim was to develop a simulated objective assessment tool for a novice camera assistant.

Materials And Methods: A 10-cycle image navigation task tool was developed.

Ureterorenoscopy training on cadavers embalmed by Thiel's method: simulation or a further step towards reality? Initial report.

Introduction: The technique of ureterorenoscopy has a significant learning curve. Cadavers embalmed by the Thiel method have been successfully used for simulation training in a number of surgical specialties. Here we present our experience of the first use of Thiel cadavers in a formal ureteroscopy training course.

Development and Validation of a Novel and Cost-Effective Animal Tissue Model for Training Transurethral Resection of the Prostate.

Objectives: To develop and validate a new and cost-effective animal tissue training model for practicing resection skills of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

Methods And Materials: A porcine kidney was prepared and restructured to simulate the relevant anatomy of the human prostate. The restructured prostate was connected to an artificial urethra and bladder.