The addition of lysostaphin dramatically improves survival, protects porcine biomesh from infection, and improves graft tensile shear strength.

Background: Lysostaphin (LS), a naturally occurring Staphylococcal endopeptidase, has the ability to penetrate biofilm, and has been identified as a potential antimicrobial to prevent mesh infection. The goals of this study were to determine if LS adhered to porcine mesh (PM) can impact host survival, reduce the risk of long-term PM infection, and to analyze lysostaphin bound PM (LS-PM) mesh-fascial interface in an infected field.

Methods: Abdominal onlay PMs measuring 3×3 cm were implanted in select groups of rats (n=75).

Perceptions of student-observers in the operating room.

Background: Student observation of surgical procedures is standard practice performed at the discretion of the attending surgeon and the participating medical facility. The goal of our study was to evaluate patient, physician, and operating room (OR) staff opinions concerning student observation of surgical procedures at different levels of academic training.

Materials And Methods: Following Institutional Review Board approval, patients undergoing elective surgery were consented to participate in the survey.

Poor resident-attending intraoperative communication may compromise patient safety.

Background: Prior research suggests that hierarchy in medicine may impact communication and patient safety. This study examined the factors that influence surgical trainees in expressing their opinion in the operating room and the consequences this might have on patient safety.

Methods: An anonymous survey of general surgery, gynecology, and orthopedic surgery residents and attendings was conducted at a teaching institution in 2010.