A pan-European survey of robotic training for gastrointestinal surgery: European Robotic Surgery Consensus (ERSC) initiative.

Background: There has been a recent rapid growth in the adoption of robotic systems across Europe. This study aimed to capture the current state of robotic training in gastrointestinal (GI) surgery and to identify potential challenges and barriers to training within Europe.

Methods: A pan-European survey was designed to account for the opinion of the following GI surgery groups: (i) experts/independent practitioners; (ii) trainees with robotic access; (iii) trainees without robotic access; (iv) robotic industry representatives.

Correction: Protocol: The role of defunctioning stoma prior to neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced colonic and rectal cancer-A systematic review.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

European Robotic Surgery Consensus (ERSC): Protocol for the development of a consensus in robotic training for gastrointestinal surgery trainees.

Background: The rapid adoption of robotic surgical systems across Europe has led to a critical gap in training and credentialing for gastrointestinal (GI) surgeons. Currently, there is no existing standardised curriculum to guide robotic training, assessment and certification for GI trainees. This manuscript describes the protocol to achieve a pan-European consensus on the essential components of a comprehensive training programme for GI robotic surgery through a five-stage process.

Faecal incontinence-a comprehensive review.

Introduction: Faecal incontinence (FI) is a distressing and often stigmatizing condition characterised as the recurrent involuntary passage of liquid or solid faeces. The reported prevalence of FI exhibits considerable variation, ranging from 7 to 15% in the general population, with higher rates reported among older adults and women. This review explores the pathophysiology mechanisms, the diagnostic modalities and the efficiency of treatment options up to date.

Time for change: compliance with RCS green theatre checklist-facilitators and barriers on the journey to net zero.

Background: Climate change is an era-defining health concern, with healthcare related emissions paradoxically compounding negative impacts. The NHS produces 5% of the UK's carbon footprint, with operating theatres a recognised carbon hotspot. NHS England aims to become Net Zero by 2045.

Improving weekend handover in a teaching hospital elective general surgery department.

Background: Effective documentation and transfer of clinical information are vital for the continuity of care, patient safety, and maintaining medico-legal records, as outlined by the Royal College of Surgeons "Safe Handover: Guidance from the Working Time Directive working party". Our elective surgery weekend team cross-covers both Colorectal and Upper Gastrointestinal surgical specialties across multiple wards, which poses a significant challenge. The aim of this study was to improve the documentation of patients' weekend plans through the introduction of a weekend handover proforma.

PRESS survey: PREvention of surgical site infection-a global pan-specialty survey of practice protocol.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSI) complicate up to 40% of surgical procedures, leading to increased patient morbidity and mortality. Previous research identified disparities in SSI prevention guidelines and clinical practices across different institutions. The study aims to identify variations in SSI prevention practices within and between specialties and financial systems and provide a representation of existing SSI preventative measures to help improve the standardization of SSI prevention practices.

The impact of the European Association of Endoscopic Surgery research grant scheme-a mixed qualitative quantitative methodology study protocol.

Background: The European Association of Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) is a surgical society who promotes the development and expansion of minimally invasive surgery to surgeons and surgical trainees. It does so through its activities in education, training, and research. The EAES research committee aims to promote the highest quality clinical research in endoscopic and minimally invasive surgery.

Five-Year results of a multi-specialty induction course for surgical training.

Background: The Essential Surgical Skills Course (ESSC) is a multi-specialty induction "boot camp" style course that has been run successfully for five years. The aim of the current paper is to create an accurate guide for the replication of the course by other teams and assess the course's fitness for purpose, through the survey feedback provided by trainees.

Methods: The course's fitness for purpose was assessed through cumulative five-year survey feedback from trainees.

Innovation in gastrointestinal surgery: the evolution of minimally invasive surgery-a narrative review.

Background: Minimally invasive (MI) surgery has revolutionised surgery, becoming the standard of care in many countries around the globe. Observed benefits over traditional open surgery include reduced pain, shorter hospital stay, and decreased recovery time. Gastrointestinal surgery in particular was an early adaptor to both laparoscopic and robotic surgery.

Burnout and patient safety perceptions among surgeons in the United Kingdom during the early phases of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A two-wave survey.

Background: Surgeons in the UK report high burnout levels. Burnout has been found to be associated with adverse patient outcomes but there are few studies that have examined this association in surgeons and even fewer which have examined this relationship over time.

Purpose: The main aim was to examine the relationships between surgeon burnout and surgeons' perceptions of patient safety cross-sectionally and longitudinally.

The diagnostic test accuracy of telemedicine for detection of surgical site infection: A systematic review protocol.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic there has been a rapid uptake and utilisation of telemedicine in all aspects of healthcare. This presents a key opportunity in surgical site infection surveillance. Remote follow up methods have been used via telephone, with photographs and questionnaires for post-operative reviews with varying results.

An international consensus for mitigation of the detrimental effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on laparoscopic training.

Aim: Achieve an international consensus on how to recover lost training opportunities. The results of this study will help inform future EAES guidelines about the recovery of surgical training before and after the pandemic.

Background: A global survey conducted by our team demonstrated significant disruption in surgical training during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The SARS-CoV-2 first wave impact in the acute inflammatory surgical pathologies.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that community infection control measures during the COVID-19 outbreak have modified the number and natural history of acute surgical inflammatory processes (ASIP-appendicitis, cholecystitis, diverticulitis and perianal abscesses) admissions. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the presentation and treatment ASIP and quantify the effect of COVID-19 infection on the outcomes of ASIP patients. This was a multicentre, comparative study, whereby ASIP cases from 2019, 2020 and 2021 (March 14th to May 2nd) were analyzed.

"One stop" clinic for upper gastrointestinal cancer-an alternative to "straight to test" referrals?

Background: Patients suspected to have upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer can be referred directly for investigation; however, at times this may result to inappropriate referrals. This study explores the model of a "one-stop" clinic as an alternative to the direct referral system. The current study aims to assess the feasibility and outcomes of a one-stop UGI clinic and evaluate sensitivity and specificity of "on-the-day" diagnoses.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Surgical Training: the Past, the Present and the Future.

The COVID-19 pandemic and infection control measures had an unavoidable impact on surgical services. During the first wave of the pandemic, elective surgery, endoscopy, and 'face-to-face' clinics were discontinued after recommendations from professional bodies. In addition, training courses, examinations, conferences, and training rotations were postponed or cancelled.

Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) crisis on surgical training: global survey and a proposed framework for recovery.

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic had a profound impact on surgical services, potentially having a detrimental impact on training opportunities. The aim of this global survey was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on surgical training and to develop a framework for recovery.

Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted.

Capturing the non-technical skills of a technical skills trainer (NTS-TeST) during simulation.

Objective: To develop an assessment instrument that can be used as a comprehensive feedback record to convey to a trainer the non-technical aspects of skill acquisition and training.

Methods: The instrument was developed across three rounds. In Round 1, 6 endourological consultants undertook a modified Delphi process.

The surgical management of cutaneous abscesses: A UK cross-sectional survey.

Aim: Cutaneous abscesses are one of the most common acute general surgery presentations. This study aimed to understand the current practice in the management of cutaneous abscesses in the United Kingdom (UK), once the decision has been made that acute surgical incision and drainage (I&D) is required.

Method: General surgeons from across the UK were surveyed on their opinions on the optimum management of cutaneous abscesses.