Comparison of three purse-string suture techniques for prevention of anal leakage during surgery

OBJECTIVE To compare 3 anal purse-string suture techniques for resistance to leakage and to identify the suture technique requiring the fewest tissue bites to create a consistent leak-proof orifice closure. ANIMALS 18 large-breed canine cadavers. PROCEDURES 3 purse-string suture techniques (3 bites with 0.5 cm between bites [technique A], 5 bites with 0.5 cm between bites [technique B], and 3 bites with 1.0 cm between bites [technique C]) were evaluated. Each technique involved 2-0 monofilament nylon suture that was placed in the cutaneous tissue around the anus and knotted with 6 square throws. Standardized 2.0-cm-diameter circular templates with the designated bite number and spacing indicated were used for suture placement. Leak-pressure testing was performed, and the pressure at which saline was first observed leaking from the anus was recorded. The median and interquartile (25th to 75th percentile) range (IQR) were compared among 3 techniques. RESULTS Median leak pressure for technique A (101 mm Hg; IQR, 35 to 131.3 mm Hg) was significantly greater than that for technique C (19 mm Hg; IQR, 14.3 to 25.3 mm Hg). Median pressure did not differ between techniques A and B (50 mm Hg; IQR, 32.5 to 65 mm Hg) or between techniques B and C. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Placement of an anal purse-string suture prevented leakage at physiologic colonic and rectal pressures, regardless of technique. Placement of 3 bites 0.5 cm apart (technique A) is recommended because it used the fewest number of bites and had the highest resistance to leakage.

The Effect of TISSEELTM on Confined Bowel Perforation: An Experimental Study

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> During the last decades, surgeons of several specialties presenting different levels of expertise in colon handling have been involved in laparoscopic procedures. The aim of the present experimental study was to investigate the feasibility of TISSEEL^TM versus the conventional suture placement technique on confined bowel lesions in rats. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats underwent confined bowel perforation and were divided into three groups: the SUTURE group (sutures were used), the SUTURE + TISSEEL^TM group (sutures and TISSEEL^TM were utilized), and the TISSEEL^TM group (only TISSEEL^TM was used). Blinded histopathologic analysis followed animal sacrifice. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The median weight of the rats was 526 ± 50 g. A single animal had hematochezia on the first postoperative day. Cessation of bleeding at the perforation margin was indicated intraoperatively after TISSEEL^TM application. Animals in the TISSEEL^TM group presented less intraperitoneal adhesions and lower hemorrhagic infiltration compared to animals of the two other groups. In addition, animals in the TISSEEL^TM group showed thrombus formation at the bowel perforation site compared to animals of the two other groups (<i>p</i> = 0.042). Histopathologic analysis demonstrated reduced inflammatory reaction (<i>p</i> = 0.003), diminished fibrosis (<i>p</i> = 0.001), and better tissue regeneration (<i>p</i> = 0.000) in the TISSEEL^TM group compared to the other two groups. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Application of TISSEEL^TM at the perforation site was associated with increased regeneration of the intestinal wall and less inflammatory and fibrotic reaction compared to suture placement. However, more experimental and clinical studies should be conducted before implementation in humans.

Sensor-Embedded Automatic Grasping Forceps for Precise Corneal Suture in Penetrating Keratoplasty

In penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), the proper corneal suture placement is very important for successful transplantation and restoring functional vision. Generating sutures with accurate depth is difficult for the surgeon because of the tissue’s softness, lack of depth information, and hand tremors. In this paper, an automatic cornea grasping device is proposed, which detects when the device reaches the target suture depth. When the device reaches the target depth, the device rapidly grasps the cornea to prevent error induced by human hand tremors. In the paper, the performance of the proposed sensor, the actuator, and the device are experimentally verified with ex vivo experiment. The result showed that the proposed device could enhance the accuracy and precision of the corneal suture depth.

Randomized controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of mass and spaced learning in microsurgical procedures using computer aided assessment

Spaced-learning refers to teaching spread over time, compared to mass-learning where the same duration of teaching is completed in one session. Our hypothesis is that spaced-learning is better than mass-learning in retaining microsurgical suturing skills. Medical students were randomized into mass-learning (single 8-h session) and spaced-learning (2-h weekly sessions over 4 weeks) groups. They were taught to place 9 sutures in a 4 mm-wide elastic strip. The primary outcome was precision of suture placement during a test conducted 1 month after completion of sessions. Secondary outcomes were time taken, cumulative performance, and participant satisfaction. 42 students (24 in the mass-learning group; 18 in spaced-learning group) participated. 3 students in the spaced-learning group were later excluded as they did not complete all sessions. Both groups had comparable baseline suturing skills but at 1 month after completion of teaching, the total score for suture placement were higher in spaced-learning group (27.63 vs 31.60,p = 0.04). There was no statistical difference for duration and satisfaction in either group. Both groups showed an improvement in technical performance over the sessions, but this did not differ between both groups. Microsurgical courses are often conducted in mass-learning format so spaced learning offers an alternative that enhances retention of complex surgical skills.

An Expedited Transition to the Back Wall Suturing for Side-to-Side In Situ Microvascular Anastomosis: A Technique Update

BACKGROUND The side-to-side in situ microvascular anastomosis is an important tool in the cerebrovascular neurosurgeon's armamentarium. The execution of the side-to-side anastomosis, however, can be limited by the inability to acquire sufficient visualization and approximation of the recipient and donor vessels. OBJECTIVE To expedite the transition to the back wall suturing of the donor and recipient vessels during side-to-side in situ microvascular anastomosis. METHODS Incorporation of the first suture throw from the outside to the inside of the vessel lumen with the initial stay suture at the proximal apex of the arteriotomy is described. The apical knot is tied between one limb of the resultant loop and the free end of the suture. The remainder of side-to-side anastomosis can then be completed in a standard fashion starting from the inside of the lumen. RESULTS This modification allows for an expedited transition to the back wall suturing of the 2 arterial segments and avoids difficulties associated with taking the first bite from behind the knot at the proximal apex of the arteriotomy or the transfer of the needle between the approximated vessels. This updated technique is illustrated with a case example, illustration, and video. CONCLUSION This technical modification for the side-to-side anastomosis helps optimize microsurgical efficiency by limiting needle, suture, and vessel handling after the initial suture placement, which has classically been a challenge of this bypass.

Validation study of an ex vivo porcine auricular model for simulation training in otoplasty

ObjectiveTo perform a validation assessment of a novel porcine ex vivo model for otoplasty training.MethodsA total of nine otolaryngology trainees performed a standard approach otoplasty on a porcine ear. They completed a series of tasks including posterior skin incision, anterior scoring, Mustardé suture placement and concha–mastoid suture placement. Trainees completed a post-task questionnaire assessing face validity, global content validity and task-specific content validity.ResultsTrainees’ median scores for the porcine model were: 4 for face validity (interquartile range, 3–4), 5 for global content validity (interquartile range, 4–5) and 4 for task-specific content validity (interquartile range, 4–4).ConclusionThis study is the first to formally validate the ex vivo porcine auricular model as a useful tool for training in otoplasty. The model should be incorporated into simulation training for otoplasty in order to improve learning, enable acquisition of specific surgical skills and improve operative outcomes.