Construct validity of eoSim -a low-cost and portable laparoscopic simulatorPurpose: To examine the construct validity of the low-cost, portable laparoscopic simulator eoSim using motion analysis.Methods: Novice and experienced surgeons (≤ 100 and > 100 laparoscopic procedures performed, respectively) completed four tasks on the eoSim using the SurgTrac software: intracorporeal suture and tie, tube ligation, peg capping and precision cutting. The following metrics were recorded: Time to complete task, distance traveled, handedness (left-versus right hand use), time off-screen, distance between instrument tips, speed, acceleration and motion smoothness.Results: Compared to novices (n = 22), experienced surgeons (n = 14) completed tasks in less time (p ≤ 0.025), except when performing peg capping (p = 0.052). On all tasks, they also scored lower on the distance metric (p ≤ 0.001). Differences in handedness (left hand compared between groups, right hand compared between groups) were found to be significant for three tasks (p ≤ 0.025). In general, the experienced group made greater use of their left hand than the novice group. Conclusion:The eoSim can differentiate between experienced and novice surgeons on the tasks intracorporeal suture and tie, tube ligation and precision cutting, thus providing a convenient method for surgical departments to implement testing of their surgeons' basic laparoscopic skills.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a multicountry outbreak of monkeypox virus from a nonendemic area, with the first confirmed case reported on May 7, 2022, of a person who had a history of traveling from the United Kingdom to Nigeria and returning back to the United Kingdom. 1 Monkeypox virus was first found in 1958, and the first human patient infected with the virus was detected in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo since then monkeypox was detected in several other geographical regions and later declared endemic by the WHO. 2 The recent cases as of June 25, 2022 have been reported in Table 1 and the countries involved are shown in Figure 1.

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Purpose To investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in 65-year-old men in Oslo, Norway. Materials and Methods From May 2011, until September 2019, the annual population of 65-year-old men living in Oslo were invited to an ultrasonographic screening of the abdominal aorta. Candidates received a one-time invitation by mail, including a questionnaire on possible risk factors and comorbidities. Abdominal aortic outer-to-outer diameter and ankle-brachial index were measured by the screening team. Participants were allocated into three groups: non-, sub- and aneurysmal aorta. Written information on recommended follow-up regime was given to participants with an aortic diameter ≥25 mm. Univariate and multivariate analyses of potential risk factors were performed, in addition to descriptive analyses and significance testing. Results In total, 19,328 were invited, 13,215 men were screened, of which 12,822 accepted inclusion in the study. Aortic diameter was registered for 12,810 participants and 330 men had aortic diameter ≥30 mm, giving a prevalence of AAA of 2.6% (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.31–2.86). We identified 4 independent risk factors for AAA: smoking (OR = 3.64, 95% CI 2.90–4.58), hypertension (OR = 1.87, 95% CI 1.49–2.35), BMI >30 (OR = 1.02, 95% CI 1.00–1.03), and diabetes mellitus (OR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.35–0.79), the latter showing an inverse association with AAA growth. A subgroup of 862 men with aortic diameters 25–29 mm had a significantly higher prevalence of BMI >25, smoking and family history of AAA, compared to participants with aortic diameter <25 mm. Conclusion Among the participants in this study, the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms was 2.6%. Participants with AAA more frequently reported cardiovascular risk factors, and less frequently diabetes mellitus.

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