Prospective comparison of single encounter versus distributed laparoscopic training in novice learners: A controlled trial.

Background: The traditional model of teaching surgical skills on "real" patients using graded responsibility is being seriously questioned, and there is a paradigm shift toward exploiting simulators. There is a lack of clarity on the impact of using simulation as a teaching strategy in novice learners. The purpose of our study was to determine if the number and duration of training sessions influence the acquisition and retention of laparoscopic skills in naïve learners.

Psychological Symptoms and Quality of Life After Simultaneous Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation.

Unlabelled: Patients that have undergone successful simultaneous pancreas/kidney (SPK) transplantation attain normoglycemia and are free from dialysis. However, only a minor improvement in quality of life (QOL) has been demonstrated. Here, we evaluated the role of psychological symptoms in QOL after SPK transplantation.

Early Steroid Withdrawal Compared With Standard Immunosuppression in Kidney Transplantation - Interim Analysis of the Amsterdam-Leiden-Groningen Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The optimal immunosuppressive regimen in kidney transplant recipients, delivering maximum efficacy with minimal toxicity, is unknown.

Methods: The Amsterdam, LEiden, GROningen trial is a randomized, multicenter, investigator-driven, noninferiority, open-label trial in 305 kidney transplant recipients, in which 2 immunosuppression minimization strategies-one consisting of early steroid withdrawal, the other of tacrolimus minimization 6 months after transplantation-were compared with standard immunosuppression with basiliximab, corticosteroids, tacrolimus, and mycophenolic acid. The primary endpoint was kidney function.

The Discussion of Sexual Dysfunction Before and After Kidney Transplantation From the Perspective of the Renal Transplant Surgeon.

Introduction: Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common problem in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and endures in 50% of patients after kidney transplantation (KTx), diminishing patients' expectations of life after KTx. Unfortunately, SD is often ignored by renal care providers. Research questions as part of a research project among all renal care providers, transplant surgeons' perspectives were obtained on sexual health care for KTx recipients, including their opinion on who should be accountable for this care.

Alemtuzumab Induction and Delayed Acute Rejection in Steroid-Free Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background: The optimal immunosuppressive regimen in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant (SPKT) recipients that prevents acute rejection episodes (AREs) and allows optimal outcome remains elusive.

Methods: This cohort study assessed incidence and time to AREs in 73 consecutive SPKT recipients receiving alemtuzumab induction and steroid-free maintenance with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. A cohort with single high-dose antithymocyte globulin (ATG; n = 85) and triple therapy served as controls.