Smith, C. Daniel

The objective of this study was to examine whether preoperative recommendation for specific reductions in body mass index (BMI) influenced weight loss in obese surgical patients. We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of 48 patients who enrolled between January 2007 to June 2010 in an 800-calorie per day liquid meal replacement (LMR) weight loss program. Of these, 9 patients (surgical group) enrolled as a result of general surgeon-directed weight loss to enable nonbariatric surgery and 39 enrolled seeking weight loss (medical group). Patients enrolled in the LMR program before bariatric surgery were excluded from analysis. All patients were seen in the setting of a comprehensive weight loss program supervised by a medical bariatrician and followed for a period of 4 months. There were no significant differences in mean initial BMI between surgical and medical patients (41.7 ± 4.55 and 41.6 ± 8.54 kg/m 2 , respectively) or participation time in the weight loss program (120 days vs 133 days). Of the nine surgical patients, only five (56%) reached their weight goal and underwent the planned surgical procedure. Weight loss was significantly less in the surgical compared with medical patients (BMI reduction 4.03 ± 3.99 vs 7.75 ± 4.90 kg/m 2 , respectively; P < 0.05). Weight loss was significantly lower in patients directed to undergo BMI reduction to enable a general surgical procedure. Future studies are needed to assess factors influencing weight loss (metabolism, exercise capacity, motivation) in patients requiring weight loss to enable a surgical procedure.

Background. Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) can be challenging in patients with large abdominal wall defects and loss of domain (LOD). When hernia contents are reduced, the pneumoperitoneum preferentially fills the sac, leaving no space for mesh manipulation. This study presents a modification for LVHR in LOD patients, as well as outcomes for a series of patients. Methods. Between September 2002 and August 2004, 10 patients with large ventral hernias and LOD underwent attempts at LVHR. The technique is modified by placing additional trocars to allow for fixation from above the mesh. Patient data were harvested from a prospective database and analyzed. Results. All hernias were recurrent in nature. Mean defect size was 626 cm 2 , requiring 1 to 4 pieces of sutured Gore Dualmesh for a tension-free repair. Three patients' procedures were aborted after adhesiolysis, with concerns about missed enterotomies. All 3 underwent delayed mesh placement within the same hospitalization. Only 2 were successful. The third patient had significant bowel edema precluding mesh placement. Two patients were converted to open repairs (Rives—Stoppa and component separation). There were no mortalities, but there were 2 major complications: inferior vena cava thrombosis and transient abdominal compartment syndrome. In follow-up (7.7 months) there were 2 recurrences secondary to excision of infected mesh. Conclusion. It is possible to obtain a successful LVHR in patients with large defects and LOD. The technique is complex and is modified to allow for mesh fixation from above the mesh. Frequent change in patient positioning allows for visualization below the fascial defect.

AbstractBackgroundA number of significant changes have forced surgical educators to re‐evaluate the adequacy of traditional forms of surgical skills training.MaterialsA review of the literature reveals that surgical simulation has emerged as a useful adjunct to help educators adjust to the demands of an ever‐changing surgical practice environment. As such, integration of simulation technology into a busy surgical training program has now become a priority for training programs worldwide.ResultsSuccessful integration requires a disciplined and dedicated approach to the appropriate use of all forms of available simulation in a well‐designed curriculum.ConclusionThis manuscript provides a discussion of how this can be achieved using a sequential, modular, criterion‐based framework, providing details of the rationale behind such an approach and current examples of how it can be integrated.