Analysis and physics of laparoscopic intracorporeal square-knot tying.

Square knots are often used in open surgery to approximate tissue borders or tie off tubular structures like vessels or ducts. Three common methods are used for surgical square-knot tying: one-hand tying, two-hand tying, and the instrument-tying technique. Two types of suture placements are studied in both the open and laparoscopic surgical fields.

Intravesicular pain mapping.

The lack of success with the physician-only approach to bladder pain and interstitial cystitis demonstrates the need for a fresh new method. Such an approach, in which the patient becomes an integral part of the operating team, verifying that the operative findings are the source of the pain and that treatment of these areas will lead to the resolution of the pain, needs to be examined further.

Rabbit tissue model (RTM) harvesting technique.

A method for creating a tissue model using a female rabbit for laparoscopic simulation exercises is described. The specimen is called a Rabbit Tissue Model (RTM). Dissection techniques are described for transforming the rabbit carcass into a small, compact unit that can be used for multiple training sessions.

The laparoscopic-ring simulation trainer.

Regardless of the level of experience, surgeons need convenient times and locations to practice laparoscopic skills. Although attendance at formal courses is essential for continuing surgical education, reinforcement is still needed by other means to allow surgeons to learn new operations as they advance. A method is presented here that allows surgeons to practice laparoscopic skills while following their own time schedules.