Simultaneous intra-gastric balloon removal and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for the super-super obese patients--a prospective feasibility study.

Background: The aim of the study was to prospectively evaluate the feasibility and clinical efficacy of a strategy of performing simultaneous balloon removal and sleeve gastrectomy in the super-super obese patients.

Methods: Forty consecutive super-super obese patients underwent intra-gastric balloon insertion followed by simultaneous balloon removal and sleeve gastrectomy 6 months later.

Results: Balloon insertion resulted in a reduction in mean body mass index from 69.

Objective assessment of the core laparoscopic skills course.

Objective. The demand for laparoscopic surgery has led to the core laparoscopic skills course (CLSC) becoming mandatory for trainees in UK. Virtual reality simulation (VR) has a great potential as a training and assessment tool of laparoscopic skills.