Category: Perspectives, Opinions and Curiosities

Evidence-based perioperative safety recommendations are inconsistent.

A systematic review of 267 clinical practice guidelines revealed significant variability in perioperative patient safety recommendations. Among 4,666 recommendations identified, 44.9% were strongly endorsed; however, only 18 guidelines excelled in methodological quality. A notable gap was found in recommendations related to pre-admission and post-discharge care. These findings underscore the inconsistency between the strength of recommendations […]

Wade Programme successfully enhances surgical anatomy education

A decade-long evaluation of the Wade Programme reveals its innovative educational framework effectively supports surgical anatomy training. After delivering 105 courses globally to 1,191 participants, feedback-rated satisfaction stood at 95%. The Wade educational approach, based on visualization, conceptual understanding, and practical application, received widespread acclaim as a groundbreaking method for teaching fundamental anatomical principles. This […]

Cost-effective silicone model enhances laparoscopic appendectomy training

A novel silicone-based training model for laparoscopic appendectomy was developed, combining clinical and engineering insights. Iteratively refined through four stages and stakeholder consensus, the model closely mimics anatomical structures and provides realistic haptic feedback. At a cost of only €9.67, it is scalable for various laparoscopic box trainers. This approach facilitates residents’ skill acquisition in […]

XR technologies enhance surgical training effectiveness and acceptance

An umbrella review of 44 studies highlights the significant potential of extended reality (XR) technologies in surgical training, particularly for orthopedics, neurology, and laparoscopy. Findings revealed that XR improves surgical skills and procedural accuracy while reducing risks and operating room time. User-friendly systems increased accessibility for trainees across skill levels, and positive reinforcement from experienced […]

Need for Standardized Robotic Training Curriculum Identified

A survey involving 1,045 gastrointestinal surgery professionals across 38 European countries revealed a significant knowledge gap regarding dedicated robotic training programs. Notably, 68% of experts and trainees were unaware of such curricula, and 48% of trainees with robotic access had not performed any robotic surgeries. Participants emphasized the necessity for early engagement in bedside assisting […]

Pressure injury prediction model developed for Da Vinci surgery patients

A study analyzing 335 patients undergoing Da Vinci surgery revealed that 195 experienced pressure injuries, identifying key risk factors including age, surgery duration, BMI, and the presence of a nasogastric tube. Through logistic regression analysis, researchers established a reliable prediction model to assess pressure injury risk in these patients. This model demonstrates effective assessment capabilities, […]

Prehabilitation enhances recovery in surgical oncology patients.

Prehabilitation significantly improves functional capacity and reduces postoperative complications in surgical oncology patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. An analysis of 27 studies involving 2532 patients found a mean difference of 28.32 meters in the 6-minute walk distance for those who underwent prehabilitation. It also showed lower odds of postoperative complications (OR 0.60). Multimodal prehabilitation was […]

Negative-pressure wound therapy reduces surgical site infections

A clinical trial demonstrated that negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) significantly reduces the incidence of surgical site infections and occurrences in laparotomy patients compared to conventional dressings. Among 275 participants, those using NPWT had a 13% lower absolute risk for infections and a 12% reduction in other complications, alongside a three-day shorter hospital stay. The findings […]

AI system significantly improves surgical case length predictions

An artificial intelligence system was developed for predicting surgical case lengths, significantly outperforming current electronic health record estimates. Analyzed data from 125,493 inpatient elective surgical cases revealed the categoricalboost regressor using clinical text embeddings achieved a mean absolute error of 46.4 minutes, compared to 120.0 minutes for existing records (p < 0.001). The AI model […]

Global survey reveals gaps in awareness of abdominal pressure guidelines

An international survey involving 1,042 healthcare practitioners highlighted significant knowledge gaps regarding intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) guidelines. While there was general agreement on most existing statements, critical new candidate statements failed to achieve consensus, with only 77% acceptance of normal intra-abdominal pressure levels. Notably, less than 60% of respondents were aware […]