Educating residents in spine surgery: A study of Entrustable professional activities in neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery.

Background: Surgery for spinal disorders represents some of the commonest surgical procedures performed in many countries worldwide, carried out by neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons. Residency training is shifting to competency-based medical education, which requires setting standards for graduating residents and their assessments. However, gaps exist in the literature regarding the parameters used for assessment and the mastery levels expected of graduating residents in the performance of common spinal procedures as defined in Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs).

Outcomes of the Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery for Resection of Pituitary Adenomas Utilizing Extracapsular Dissection Technique with a Cotton Swab.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness and safety of a cotton swab for extracapsular dissection in endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETSS) for pituitary adenoma (PA).

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review of patients undergoing ETSS for PA from 2014 to 2017 was undertaken. Only patients with extracapsular dissection by cotton swab with the intent to completely remove the tumor were included.