Reduced perception-action dissociation in children with amblyopia.

The functional distinction between vision-for-perception and vision-for-action is a key aspect of understanding the primate visual system. While this dissociation has been well-established in adulthood, its development and dependence on typical visual experience remain unclear. To address these questions, we examined two groups of children: typically developed children and those with amblyopia, who presumably have a sub-optimal visual experience.

An effect that counts: Temporally contiguous action effect enhances motor performance.

An action-effect temporal contiguity holds essential information for motor control. Emerging accounts suggest that the temporally contiguous action effect is rewarding in and of itself, further promoting the development of motor representations and reinforcing the selection of the relevant motor program. The current study follows these theoretical and empirical indications to directly investigate the promoting impact of action effect temporal contiguity on motor performance.

Unilateral resection of both cortical visual pathways in a pediatric patient alters action but not perception.

The human cortical visual system consists of two major pathways, a ventral pathway which subserves perception and a dorsal pathway which primarily subserves visuomotor control. Previous studies have found that children with cortical resections of the ventral visual pathway retain largely normal visuoperceptual abilities. Whether visually guided actions, supported by computations carried out by the dorsal pathway, follow a similar pattern of preservation remains unknown.

Prevalence of Dumping Syndrome After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy and Comparison with Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

Background: Dumping syndrome is a well-known side effect of laparoscopic gastric bypass (LRYGB), and it is commonly believed that dumping syndrome is less likely to occur after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), due to the preservation of the pyloric sphincter. However, it is not uncommon for patients undergoing LSG at our center to report symptoms suggestive of dumping syndrome.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of symptoms of dumping syndrome after LSG compared with LRYGB.

A percutaneous technique of liver retraction in laparoscopic bariatric & upper abdominal surgery.

Background: Laparoscopic bariatric surgery requires retraction of the left lobe of the liver to provide adequate exposure of the hiatus and the stomach. Currently used approaches utilize retractors that require additional incisions and prolong operative time.

Objectives: A retrospective evaluation of the efficacy and safety of a percutaneous liver retractor in a large series of patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

Robotic surgery: current perceptions and the clinical evidence.

Background: It appears that a discrepancy exists between the perception of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) and the current clinical evidence regarding robotic-assisted surgery among patients, healthcare providers, and hospital administrators. The purpose of this study was to assess whether or not such a discrepancy exists.

Methods: We administered survey questionnaires via face-to-face interviews with surgical patients (n = 101), healthcare providers (n = 58), and senior members of hospital administration (n = 6) at a community hospital that performs robotic surgery.

Laparoscopic versus robotic-assisted Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a retrospective, single-center study of early perioperative outcomes at a community hospital.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the operative and early perioperative outcomes of laparoscopic versus robotic-assisted Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedures performed in a community hospital setting.

Methods: The study was a chart review and analysis of the early perioperative outcomes of a total of 345 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedures performed by a single surgeon in a community hospital setting from January 2011 to October 2014. Of these, 173 procedures were performed laparoscopically and 172 were performed with robotic assistance utilizing the daVinci(®) surgical platform.