Validity of a virtual reality-based straight coloanal anastomosis simulator.

Purpose: Current training methods for surgical trainees are inadequate because they are costly, low-fidelity, or have a low skill ceiling. This work aims to expand available virtual reality training options by developing a VR trainer for straight coloanal anastomosis (SCA), one of the Colorectal Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (COSATS) tasks.

Methods: We developed a VR-based SCA simulator to evaluate trainees based on their performance.

Learning Curve of a Robotic Bio-Tissue Intestinal Anastomosis: Implications for Surgical Training Curricula.

Objective: The integration of robotic surgical training in a time-scarce residency program is a challenge for surgical educators. Simulation-based training is a tool that allows residents to acquire the necessary robotic skills without compromising patient safety. This study aimed to assess the learning curve of a robotic inanimate intestinal anastomosis drill.

Deeper Exploration of Gut Microbiome: Profile of Resistome, Virome and Viral Auxiliary Metabolic Genes of Three Ethnic Indian Groups.

The current study explored the resistomes and viromes of three Indian ethnic populations: Jaisalmer, Khargone, and Ladakh. These three groups had different dietary habits and antibiotic consumption rates. A resistome analysis indicated that compared to the Jaisalmer (n = 10) group, the burden of antibiotic resistance genes in the gut microbiome was higher in the Khargone (n = 12) and Ladakh (n = 9) groups.

From the simulation lab to the operating room: simulation performance predicts intraoperative performance in robotic gastrojejunostomy.

Background: Simulation and video-based assessment (VBA) offer residents the opportunity to develop operative skills while ensuring patient safety. This study aims to determine whether simulation training can predict residents' operative performance, focusing on the gastrojejunal (GJ) anastomosis during robotic pancreatoduodenectomy.

Methods: Twenty-seven general surgery residents completed simulated robotic GJ drills and subsequently performed GJs in the operating room (OR).

Exploring antimicrobial resistance determinants in the Neanderthal microbiome.

Unlabelled: This study aimed to investigate the presence of antimicrobial resistance determinants (ARDs) in the Neanderthal microbiome through meticulous analysis of metagenomic data derived directly from dental calculus and fecal sediments across diverse Neanderthal sites in Europe. Employing a targeted locus mapping approach followed by a consensus strategy instead of an assembly-first approach, we aimed to identify and characterize ARDs within these ancient microbial communities. A comprehensive and redundant ARD database was constructed by amalgamating data from various antibiotic resistance gene repositories.

The development of a deep learning model for automated segmentation of the robotic pancreaticojejunostomy.

Background: Minimally invasive surgery provides an unprecedented opportunity to review video for assessing surgical performance. Surgical video analysis is time-consuming and expensive. Deep learning provides an alternative for analysis.

Validity and reliability evidence support task-specific metrics for laparoscopic fundoplication.

Background: Laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair (LHHR) is a complex operation requiring advanced surgical training. Surgical simulation offers a potential solution for learning complex operations without the need for high surgical volume. Our goal is to develop a virtual reality (VR) simulator for LHHR; however, data supporting task-specific metrics for this procedure are lacking.

Adapting to a Robotic Era: The Transferability of Open and Laparoscopic Skills to Robotic Surgery.

Background: The learning curve of robotic surgical skills is poorly understood. There is a lack of data on the transferability of skills from open and laparoscopic training to robotic surgery. In this retrospective cohort study, we investigated the impact of training acquired during intern year on the development of robotic skills in general surgery residents, prior to formal robotic training.

Baseline performance in a robotic virtual reality platform predicts rate of skill acquisition in a proficiency-based curriculum: a cohort study of surgical trainees.

Background: Residency programs must prepare to train the next generation of surgeons on the robotic platform. The purpose of this study was to determine if baseline skills of residents on a virtual reality (VR) robotic simulator before intern year predicted future performance in a proficiency-based curriculum.

Methods: Across two academic years, 21 general surgery PGY-1s underwent the robotic surgery boot camp at the University of Texas Southwestern.

What are essential laparoscopic skills these days? Results of the SAGES Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) Committee technical skills survey.

Introduction: The Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) program tests basic knowledge and skills required to perform laparoscopic surgery. Educational experiences in laparoscopic training and development of associated competencies have evolved since FLS inception, making it important to review the definition of fundamental laparoscopic skills. The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) assigned an FLS Technical Skills Working Group to characterize technical skills used in basic laparoscopic surgery in current practice contexts and their possible application to future FLS tests.

A Comparative Study of Using Collagen Patch or Fat Plug in Myringoplasty for Small Tympanic Membrane Perforations.

One of the most common problems in otorhinolaryngology is perforation of tympanic membrane. Although many small perforations heal spontaneously over time, some may remain persistent due to infection or some other causes. In the past years so many grafts have been used with good success rate.

Objective metrics for hand-sewn bowel anastomoses can differentiate novice from expert surgeons.

Background: Assessing performance automatically in a virtual reality trainer or from recorded videos is advantageous but needs validated objective metrics. The purpose of this study is to obtain expert consensus and validate task-specific metrics developed for assessing performance in double-layered end-to-end anastomosis.

Materials And Methods: Subjects were recruited into expert (PGY 4-5, colorectal surgery residents, and attendings) and novice (PGY 1-3) groups.

The Operating Room Black Box: Understanding Adherence to Surgical Checklists.

Objective: We report for the first time the use of the Operating Room Black Box (ORBB) to track checklist compliance, engagement, and quality.

Background: Implementation of operative checklists is associated with improved outcomes. Compliance is difficult to monitor.

Development and Validation of Task-Specific Metrics for the Assessment of Linear Stapler-Based Small Bowel Anastomosis.

Introduction: Task-specific metrics facilitate the assessment of surgeon performance. This 3-phased study was designed to (1) develop task-specific metrics for stapled small bowel anastomosis, (2) obtain expert consensus on the appropriateness of the developed metrics, and (3) establish its discriminant validity.

Methods: In Phase I, a hierarchical task analysis was used to develop the metrics.

Developing artificial intelligence models for medical student suturing and knot-tying video-based assessment and coaching.

Background: Early introduction and distributed learning have been shown to improve student comfort with basic requisite suturing skills. The need for more frequent and directed feedback, however, remains an enduring concern for both remote and in-person training. A previous in-person curriculum for our second-year medical students transitioning to clerkships was adapted to an at-home video-based assessment model due to the social distancing implications of COVID-19.

Training on a virtual reality cricothyroidotomy simulator improves skills and transfers to a simulated procedure.

Objective: The virtual airway skills trainer (VAST) is a virtual reality simulator for training in cricothyroidotomy (CCT). The goal of the study is to test the effectiveness of training and transfer of skills of the VAST-CCT.

Methods: Two groups, control (no training) and simulation (2 weeks of proficiency-based training), participated in this study.

Feasibility, effectiveness and transferability of a novel mastery-based virtual reality robotic training platform for general surgery residents.

Background: The annual number of robotic surgical procedures is on the rise. Robotic surgery requires unique skills compared to other surgical approaches. Simulation allows basic robot skill acquisition and enhances patient safety.

A Cross-sectional Study on Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients with Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease.

It is well known that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, predominantly due to cardiovascular complications. Recent literature report pulmonary hypertension (PH) as a common accompaniment of CKD and in majority of these cases, secondary causes of PH are not evident. In this study, we looked at the prevalence and possible risk factors of PH in stage 5 CKD patients with a special focus on unexplained PH.

Daily rhythms in gene expression of the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni.

Background: The consequences of the earth's daily rotation have led to 24-h biological rhythms in most organisms. Even some parasites are known to have daily rhythms, which, when in synchrony with host rhythms, can optimise their fitness. Understanding these rhythms may enable the development of control strategies that take advantage of rhythmic vulnerabilities.

Developing an immersive virtual reality medication administration scenario using the nominal group technique.

Aim: This paper aims to describe how the Nominal Group Technique was applied to obtain focused content to develop medication administration error scenarios for future use to educate practicing RNs with immersive virtual reality simulation.

Background: In the United States, medication errors account for up to $46 million in daily loss to hospital operational budgets. Each phase of prescribing, dispensing, administration, monitoring, and reconciliation is crucial in reducing potentially life-threatening outcomes associated with medication errors.