Consent to medical student teaching: an observational, cross-sectional study exploring the patient view.

Background: New Zealand guidelines stipulate that patient consent is obtained for medical student involvement in clinical care, however, patients' preferences regarding consent for medical student teaching have not been widely explored. This study examined patient preferences for consent for medical student teaching with the aim to increase patient empowerment, to optimise care and to reflect societal expectations more accurately.

Method: Observational, semi-qualitative, cross-sectional study of in-patients.

Longitudinal Force Measurement and its Relationship to Technical Competence for Esophageal Anastomosis in a Thoracoscopic Esophageal Atresia/Tracheo-Esophageal Fistula Simulator.

Purpose: Thoracoscopic esophageal atresia with tracheo-esophageal fistula (EA/TEF) repair requires the gentle manipulation of delicate tissue. Force sensors were attached to the upper and lower esophagus of a 3D-printed EA/TEF simulator to explore force parameters as markers of performance.

Methods: Participants completed one intracorporeal suture between the anterior walls of upper and lower esophageal ends.

Is Technical Expertise Necessary to Assess Technical Expertise? Let's Ask the Kids.

Simulation has an increasing role in surgical training; however, using validated tools such as the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) is time-consuming, which may be a potential barrier to simulation-based training. This study tests the hypothesis that assessors with technical expertise are necessary to objectively score a technical task. Three tasks, ring transfer, needle pass, and atresia cut, were performed using a synthetic thoracoscopic simulator for esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula.

Construct validation of a 3D printed neonatal thoracoscopic simulator: Can it measure expertise?

Background: acquiring technical expertise for neonatal thoracoscopy is challenging. To address this, we designed a fully synthetic thoracoscopic simulator for which we established its construct validity.

Methods: three thoracoscopic tasks were assessed: ring transfer, needle pass and incision of a blind upper esophageal pouch (EA cut).

The frequency and effects of distractions in operating theatres.

Background: Operating theatres (OTs) are complex environments where team members complete difficult tasks under stress. Distractions in these environments can lead to errors that compromise patient safety. A range of potential distractions exist in OTs and previous research suggests they are common.

Master and Apprentice or a Slave to Technology? A Randomized Controlled Trial of Minimal Access Surgery Simulation-Based Training Techniques.

This study set out to assess the efficacy of three different approaches to simulation-based minimal access surgery (MAS) training using a three-dimensional printed neonatal thoracoscopic simulator and a virtual simulator. Randomized controlled trial of medical students ( = 32), as novices to MAS. The participants performed two construct validated tasks on a thoracoscopic simulator and were then randomly allocated into four intervention groups: (1) three consultant-led sessions on a thoracoscopic simulator; (2) three self-directed learning sessions on the same simulator; (3) self-directed "virtual training" on the "SimuSurg" application; and (4) control.

End-User Input into the Design and Validation of a Synthetic Thoracoscopic Esophageal Atresia/Tracheo-Esophageal Fistula Simulator.

Thoracoscopic repair of esophageal atresia and tracheo-esophageal fistula (EA/TEF) is challenging. We addressed this by designing a fully synthetic simulator of the procedure and described the design process and how its content validity was assessed. An iterative design and assessment of content validity was undertaken in three stages.

Development of an instrumented thoracoscopic surgical trainer for objective evaluation of esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula repair.

Operative repair of complex conditions such as esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) is technically demanding, but few training opportunities exist outside the operating theater for surgeons to attain these skills. Learning them during surgery on actual neonates where the stakes are high, margins for error narrow, and where outcomes are influenced by technical expertise, is problematic. There is an increasing demand for high-fidelity simulation that can objectively measure performance.

Declining incidence of pyloric stenosis in New Zealand.

Background: Pyloric stenosis is a relatively common paediatric surgical condition, but a worldwide decline in its incidence has been observed in recent decades. The objective of this study was to identify if the incidence of pyloric stenosis in New Zealand has been declining.

Methods: A retrospective review of the four New Zealand paediatric surgical centres' theatre databases from 2007 to 2017.

Critical design and validation considerations for the development of neonatal minimally invasive surgery simulators.

Background/purpose: Pediatric surgical trainees have limited exposure to advanced minimally invasive surgery (MIS) during their clinical training, particularly for cases such as esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF). Simulation on validated neonatal models offers an alternative means of training that may augment traditional forms of training; but to be useful, they must fulfill certain criteria.

Methodology: Review of the currently available MIS, thoracoscopic and laparoscopic, simulators for pediatric surgery, and identification of those factors that contribute to their fidelity and validity as a training tool that must be incorporated in the design of future simulation models.

Volvulus of a jejunal lymphatic vascular malformation presenting with bilious vomiting and the radiological appearances of malrotation.

Bile-stained vomiting in infancy is abnormal. Malrotation with small bowel volvulus is probably the most worrying of possible causes because if untreated for too long, it can result in massive bowel necrosis. As a consequence, if examination or plain radiography does not suggest another cause, an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series is often performed to exclude malrotation.