The objective of this study is to determine the ability of the GEARS scale (Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills) to differentiate individuals with different levels of experience in robotic surgery, as a fundamental validation. This is a cross-sectional study that included three groups of individuals with different levels of experience in robotic surgery (expert, intermediate, novice) their performance were assessed by GEARS applied by two reviewers. The difference between groups was determined by Mann-Whitney test and the consistency between the reviewers was studied by Kendall W coefficient. The agreement between the reviewers of the scale GEARS was 0.96. The score was 29.8 ± 0.4 to experts, 24 ± 2.8 to intermediates and 16 ± 3 to novices, with a statistically significant difference between all of them (p < 0.05). All parameters from the scale allow discriminating between different levels of experience, with exception of the depth perception item. We conclude that the scale GEARS was able to differentiate between individuals with different levels of experience in robotic surgery and, therefore, is a validated and useful tool to evaluate surgeons in training.
Introduction and importance
Gallstone ileus is an uncommon complication of cholelithiasis. It is usually presented as a small bowel obstruction. Elderly patients are commonly affected. The diagnosis is challenging, since needs a high index of suspicion and imagenology is key. Surgery is the mainstay management, most commonly performed by laparotomy, but laparoscopy is summing cases. Nevertheless the approach is still controversial. We report a gallstone ileus case, that was managed totally laparoscopic in our medium complex public institution.
Case presentation
An 71 years-old male patient, with symptomatic cholelithiasis, consulted in emergency department with symptoms and signs of small bowel obstruction. Computed tomography of abdomen and pelvis showed the classical Rigler's triad. Totally laparoscopic enterolithotomy alone was performed successfully. Postoperative evolution was without incidents, being discharge at fifth day.
Clinical discussion
Gallstone ileus represents around 0,3–0,5% of cholelithiasis complications. Mostly affect elderly women patients, with comorbidities. Mortality and morbidity is still high nowadays. The classical management of gallstone ileus is the open surgery, but the laparoscopic approach has been described and it can be done.
Conclusion
The laparoscopic management of gallstone ileus is effective and secure procedure and seems reasonable to attempt if the conditions and skills are available.
Over the years, incisional hernia repair has evolved. Currently, primary closure of the defect before placing the mesh is a critical step in incisional hernia repair and minimally invasive surgery incorporation has an important role due to great advantages. Despite its benefits, laparoscopic closure with suture intracorporeal knotting is physically demanding and technically complex. Robotic technology provides an optimal three-dimensional view, maneuverability of the instruments but no study has assessed the impact of the DaVinci system in the ergonomics which is the objective in this study. Fourteen surgeons were able to achieve surgical repair of a defect in an incisional hernia inanimate model. The task was performed with conventional laparoscopy and robotic assistance. The mental effort was registered and physical disturbances were measured with the Local Experienced Discomfort scale. The subjects expressed discomfort mainly in the dominant side (p = 0.006). In the comparative analysis between the two approaches, upper limb less disturbance (p = 0.04) and lower mental effort (p = 0.001) were reported with robotic approach. Robotic assistance decreases mental and physical effort during the primary closure of a defect in an incisional hernia inanimate model.
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