Training specialist registrars in general surgery: a qualitative study in Tayside

BACKGROUND

Owing to decreased hours of work and duration of training, there is a need to refashion the training of surgical specialist registrars (SpRs) in the United Kingdom. This requires more guidance for trainers, but consensus regarding good trainer attributes does not exist. This study describes the training practices of Tayside general surgical trainers working with SpRs and highlights good training practice involving technical and patient management skills.

METHODS

1) Semi-structured interviews carried out with eighteen consultant trainers and twelve SpRs, 2) Action inquiry (i.e. observations and dialogue with participants) during ward, theatre, outpatient clinic and other hospital-based settings with eleven consultant and SpRs pairs.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Participants reflected on multiple training episodes and evaluated their impact. Relatively positive or negative impacts on their skill learning, self-esteem and relationship with the trainee or trainer were described. These are presented and discussed in terms of their implications for equipping trainers with techniques for training registrars and those factors which have hindered the adoption of successful strategies.

Patch incorporation in diaphragmatic hernia

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Biomaterial insertion often is required for closure of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). The optimal biomaterial remains uncertain. This study was designed to compare a commonly used patch (polytetrafluoroethylene) with a recently available fabric, fluorinated polyester. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical performance, histological tissue-polymer interaction, bacterial adhesion, and shrinkage rates of biomaterial inserted endoscopically into a CDH lamb model.

METHODS

Polytetrafluoro-ethylene (PTFE) and fluorinated polyester (FP) were randomised for laparoscopic patch insertion into 12 lambs. All lambs (age <4 weeks) underwent 3-port laparoscopy, surgical creation of diaphragmatic hernia, and sutured patch placement. Two PTFE and 2 FP lambs were killed at 1-, 3-, and 6-month intervals postoperatively. Postmortem examination histopathology, electron microscopy, and specific bacterial broth immersion (Escherichia coil, Staphylococcus aurens, and epidermidis) were performed.

RESULTS

All 12 lambs completed the study with intact patches that were fully peritonised. One abdominal adhesion was noted in a FP lamb at 6 months. FP was comparatively easier to insert, manipulate, and suture endoscopically. Histopathology findings showed that PTFE patches created a strong peripheral foreign body reaction with dystrophic calcification, whereas FP was well incorporated with intrapatch fibroblastic activity and neovascularsation. No significant difference in resistance to bacterial adhesion of relevant organisms was noted between the materials. Graft shrinkage for FP was 7% in one direction only, evident by 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Fluorinated polyester has advantages in this laparoscopic lamb model. It shows rapid and sustained incorporation with intrapatch neovascularisation when compared with polytetrafluoro-ethylene's significant foreign body reaction. It was preferred for its endoscopic handling and suturing properties. The laparoscopic techniques used may contribute to the general lack of adhesions, and insufficient data are available to comment on the comparative effect of the materials on adhesion formation. No difference was demonstrated in resistance to bacterial adherence in the harvested materials.

A randomised control trial of surgical task performance in rigid bronchoscopy: foreign body extraction with optical versus non-optical forceps

There are currently two types of forceps used for foreign body removal at rigid bronchoscopy, these can be classified as standard bronchoscopy forceps and optically guided grasping forceps. In order to evaluate them in the removal of foreign bodies from the tracheo-bronchial tree a randomised subject controlled trial was conducted. All 80 bronchoscopies were recorded and analysed by a single observer according to predetermined criteria for surgical error. The data was analysed using a t-test for paired groups. The results showed no significant differences between the two groups. We conclude that no clear advantages were found comparing the optically guided forceps with the standard bronchoscopy forceps and that further clinical evaluation will be difficult to initiate.

A microprocessor-controlled psychomotor tester for minimal access surgery

BACKGROUND

There is little reported information on psychomotor performance in relation to minimal access surgery (MAS).

METHODS

A microprocessor-controlled endoscopic psychomotor tester (the Dundee Endoscopic Psychomotor Tester-DEPT) has been developed to evaluate psychomotor aspects of MAS. Experiments were conducted on 20 medical undergraduates to evaluate accuracy and reliability of the tester.

RESULTS

The study demonstrated a significant difference between subjects (p < 0.01). It also identified three individuals who enacted 16, 22, and 40 errors while the majority (85%) sustained less errors with a median of 4.5.

CONCLUSIONS

DEPT provides a standard, reproducible, objective real-time scoring system. It identifies individuals who cannot adjust to endoscopic viewing and therefore manipulate from endoscopic images.

Cutaneous malignant melanoma: audit of the diagnostic process

The results of a study of the diagnostic process in 202 cutaneous malignant melanomas over a 5-year period in one region are presented. Patient delay of more than 3 months was noted in at least 60% of cases, and delay after presentation was identified in 21% of the case histories. In 12% of the cases an opportunity for earlier diagnosis had been missed. The factors leading to delay in diagnosis are highlighted and the need for the dissemination of information relating to the early stages of the disease is emphasised.

Experience with the free "inverted" groin flap in facial soft tissue contouring; a report on 6 flaps

Reconstruction of the soft tissue facial contour defect in Romberg's disease and facial lipodystrophy using a free groin flap has been previously reported. However, controversy exists over the optimum placing of this flap within the cheek, i.e. whether it is better to have the dermis or subcutaneous fat side next to the muscle. Our experience with 6 flaps, 3 of which have been followed up for 3 1/2 years, is presented. In all cases the flaps were placed with the dermis side down, i.e. next to muscle. Although not a comparative study, our impression is that in the long term this technique reduces gravitational migration. Our experience with 2 flaps suggests that, in the early postoperative period at least, secure fixation by suturing to the muscle and periosteum is important. We believe that, in addition, this method gives a smoother contour and allows easy and safe secondary adjustments to be made where necessary.

The trapezoid release for scar contractures: early experience

A description is given of the technique of trapezoid release of scar contractures. Some clinical applications are presented and the results in 18 patients with a total of 37 flaps and maximum follow-up of 6 years are reported. A brief discussion of this method's advantages over existing techniques is presented.