Carol-Anne Moulton

Teaching surgical skills: What kind of practice makes perfect? : A randomized, controlled trial

Objective:Surgical skills laboratories have become an important venue for early skill acquisition. The principles that govern training in this novel educational environment remain largely unknown; the commonest method of training, especially for continuing medical education (CME), is a single multihour event. This study addresses the impact of an alternative method, where learning is distributed over a number of training sessions. The acquisition and transfer of a new skill to a life-like model is assessed. Methods:Thirty-eight junior surgical residents, randomly assigned to either massed (1 day) or distributed (weekly) practice regimens, were taught a new skill (microvascular anastomosis). Each group spent the same amount of time in practice. Performance was assessed pretraining, immediately post-training, and 1 month post-training. The ultimate test of anastomotic skill was assessed with a transfer test to a live, anesthetized rat. Previously validated computer-based and expert-based outcome measures were used. In addition, clinically relevant outcomes were assessed. Results:Both groups showed immediate improvement in performance, but the distributed group performed significantly better on the retention test in most outcome measures (time, number of hand movements, and expert global ratings; all P values <0.05). The distributed group also outperformed the massed group on the live rat anastomosis in all expert-based measures (global ratings, checklist score, final product analysis, competency for OR; all P values <0.05). Conclusions:Our current model of training surgical skills using short courses (for both CME and structured residency curricula) may be suboptimal. Residents retain and transfer skills better if taught in a distributed manner. Despite the greater logistical challenge, we need to restructure training schedules to allow for distributed practice.

Assessing procedural skills in context: exploring the feasibility of an Integrated Procedural Performance Instrument (IPPI)

Background  The assessment of clinical procedural skills has traditionally focused on technical elements alone. However, in real practice, clinicians are expected to be able to integrate technical with communication and other professional skills. We describe an integrated procedural performance instrument (IPPI), where clinicians are assessed on 12 clinical procedures in a simulated clinical setting which combines simulated patients (SPs) with inanimate models or items of medical equipment. Candidates are observed remotely by assessors whose data are fed back to the clinician within 24 hours of the assessment. This paper describes the feasibility of IPPI.

Effect of PET Before Liver Resection on Surgical Management for Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Metastases: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE Patients with colorectal cancer with liver metastases undergo hepatic resection with curative intent. Positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET-CT) could help avoid noncurative surgery by identifying patients with occult metastases. OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of preoperative PET-CT vs no PET-CT (control) on the surgical management of patients with resectable metastases and to investigate the effect of PET-CT on survival and the association between the standardized uptake value (ratio of tissue radioactivity to injected radioactivity adjusted by weight) and survival. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A randomized trial of patients older than 18 years with colorectal cancer treated by surgery, with resectable metastases based on CT scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis within the previous 30 days, and with a clear colonoscopy within the previous 18 months was conducted between 2005 and 2013, involving 21 surgeons at 9 hospitals in Ontario, Canada, with PET-CT scanners at 5 academic institutions. INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized using a 2 to 1 ratio to PET-CT or control. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was a change in surgical management defined as canceled hepatic surgery, more extensive hepatic surgery, or additional organ surgery based on the PET-CT. Survival was a secondary outcome. RESULTS Of the 263 patients who underwent PET-CT, 21 had a change in surgical management (8.0%; 95% CI, 5.0%-11.9%). Specifically, 7 patients (2.7%) did not undergo laparotomy, 4 (1.5%) had more extensive hepatic surgery, 9 (3.4%) had additional organ surgery (8 of whom had hepatic resection), and the abdominal cavity was opened in 1 patient but hepatic surgery was not performed and the cavity was closed. Liver resection was performed in 91% of patients in the PET-CT group and 92% of the control group. After a median follow-up of 36 months, the estimated mortality rate was 11.13 (95% CI, 8.95-13.68) events/1000 person-months for the PET-CT group and 12.71 (95% CI, 9.40-16.80) events/1000 person-months for the control group. Survival did not differ between the 2 groups (hazard ratio, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.60-1.21]; P = .38). The standardized uptake value was associated with survival (hazard ratio, 1.11 [90% CI, 1.07-1.15] per unit increase; P < .001). The C statistic for the model including the standardized uptake value was 0.62 (95% CI, 0.56-0.68) and without it was 0.50 (95% CI, 0.44-0.56). The difference in C statistics is 0.12 (95% CI, 0.04-0.21). The low C statistic suggests that the standard uptake value is not a strong predictor of overall survival. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Among patients with potentially resectable hepatic metastases of colorectal adenocarcinoma, the use of PET-CT compared with CT alone did not result in frequent change in surgical management. These findings raise questions about the value of PET-CT scans in this setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00265356.

Chemotherapy-induced Liver Injury in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Semiquantitative Histologic Analysis of 334 Resected Liver Specimens Shows That Vascular Injury but not Steatohepatitis Is Associated With Preoperative Chemotherapy

The use of newer chemotherapeutic agents before resection of colorectal cancer liver metastases has been linked with parenchymal liver injury, in particular preoperative irinotecan and oxaliplatin with chemotherapy-associated steatohepatitis (CASH) and vascular parenchymal injury, respectively. We retrospectively assessed 334 cases from 2002 to 2007 and correlated pathologic findings with chemotherapy use and perioperative course. Features of fatty liver disease were graded according to established schemes, and several features of vascular injury, including sinusoidal dilation, nodular regenerative hyperplasia and parenchymal extinction lesions (PELs), were also scored semiquantitatively and a combined vascular injury (CVI) score was determined. Moderate and severe fatty injury was uncommon with steatohepatitis detected in 8 cases (2.4%), 7 of whom did not receive chemotherapy. Multivariate analysis showed steatosis greater than 33% and steatohepatitis were independently associated with Body Mass Index of 30 or more (P<0.001) but not chemotherapy. Vascular injuries were detected in 117 cases, were significantly associated with oxaliplatin, and the combined assessment of vascular features (a CVI score of 3 or more) was more strongly associated with oxaliplatin (P=0.0004) than any one feature in isolation. Perioperative outcome was not associated with parenchymal injury or preoperative chemotherapy. We conclude that although CASH is uncommon in this population vascular injury is frequently seen in resection specimens, but pathologic examination limited to sinusoidal dilation misses the majority of these. Semiquantitative measurement enables reproducible assessment of vascular injuries, allows comparison between studies, and may help inform future treatment decisions in patients with limited hepatic reserve.

The role of liver resection for colorectal cancer metastases in an era of multimodality treatment: A systematic review

BACKGROUND To determine the role of liver resection in patients with liver and extrahepatic colorectal cancer metastases and the role of chemotherapy in patients in conjunction with liver resection. METHODS MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for articles published between 1995 and 2010, along with hand searching. RESULTS A total of 4875 articles were identified, and 83 were retained for inclusion. Meta-analysis was not performed because of heterogeneity and poor quality of the evidence. Outcomes in patients who had liver and lung metastases, liver and portal node metastases, and liver and other extrahepatic disease were reported in 14, 10, and 14 studies, respectively. The role of perioperative chemotherapy was assessed in 30 studies, including 1 randomized controlled trial and 1 pooled analysis. Ten studies assessed the role of chemotherapy in patients with initially unresectable disease, and 5 studies assessed the need for operation after a radiologic complete response. CONCLUSION The review suggests that: (1) select patients with pulmonary and hepatic CRC metastases may benefit from resection; (2) perioperative chemotherapy may improve outcome in patients undergoing a liver resection; (3) patients whose CRC liver metastases are initially unresectable may benefit from chemotherapy to identify a subgroup who may benefit later from resection; (4) after radiographic complete response (RCR), lesions should be resected if possible.

‘Slowing Down When You Should’: Initiators and Influences of the Transition from the Routine to the Effortful

Background‘Slowing down when you should’ has been described as marking the transition from ‘automatic’ to ‘effortful’ functioning in professional practice. The ability to ‘slow down’ is hypothesized as an important factor in expert judgment. This study explored the nature of the ‘slowing down’ phenomenon intraoperatively and its link to surgical judgment.MethodsTwenty-eight surgeons across different surgical specialties were interviewed from four hospitals affiliated with a large urban university. In grounded theory tradition, data were collected and analyzed in an iterative design, using a constant comparative approach. Emergent themes were identified and a conceptual framework was developed.ResultsSurgeons recognized the ‘slowing down’ phenomenon acknowledging its link to judgment and described two main initiators. Proactively planned ‘slowing down’ moments were anticipated preoperatively from operation-specific (tying superior thyroid vessels) or patient-specific (imaging abnormality) factors. Surgeons also described situationally responsive ‘slowing down’ moments to unexpected events (encountering an adherent tumor). Surgeons described several influencing factors on the slowing down phenomenon (fatigue, confidence).ConclusionsThis framework for ‘slowing down’ assists in making tangible the previously elusive construct of surgical judgment, providing a vocabulary for considering the events surrounding these critical moments in surgery, essential for teaching, self-reflection, and patient safety.

Teaching communication skills using the integrated procedural performance instrument (IPPI): A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND The Integrated Procedural Performance Instrument (IPPI) uses various bench-top models positioned to standardized patients (SP) to recreate realistic clinical encounters. This study assessed the effectiveness of using an IPPI format as a teaching tool for communication skills. METHOD Thirty-two participants underwent 2 videotaped IPPI scenarios before randomization into 2 groups--experimental (SP-led feedback) or control (no feedback). Participants then completed 2 further IPPI format scenarios. Videotapes were scored by 2 blinded independent raters using validated assessment scales (communication and technical). RESULTS The experimental group performed significantly better on the communication scores following feedback compared with the control group (mean 77% vs 66%, P < .05). No difference in scores for technical skills post-intervention were demonstrated (checklist: experimental mean = 64% vs control = 59%, P = .40; global ratings: experimental mean = 66% vs no control = 62%, P = .37). CONCLUSIONS The IPPI is an effective tool for teaching communication skills in residents and medical students and should be considered for incorporation into undergraduate and surgical curricula.

Clinical and Economic Comparison of Laparoscopic to Open Liver Resections Using a 2-to-1 Matched Pair Analysis: An Institutional Experience

BACKGROUND Surgical resection of hepatic lesions is associated with intraoperative and postoperative morbidity and mortality. Our center has introduced a laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) program over the past 3 years. Our objective is to describe the initial clinical experience with LLR, including a detailed cost analysis. STUDY DESIGN We evaluated all LLRs from 2006 to 2010. Each was matched to 2 open cases for number of segments removed, patient age, and background liver histology. Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) and the Charlson comorbidity index were calculated retrospectively. Nonparametric statistical analysis was used to compare surgical and economic outcomes. Analyses were performed including and excluding converted cases. RESULTS Fifty-seven patients underwent attempted LLR. Demographic characteristics were similar between groups. Estimated blood loss was lower in the LLR vs the open liver resection (OLR) group, at 250 mL and 500 mL, respectively (p < 0.001). Median operating room times were 240 minutes and 270 minutes in the LLR and OLR groups, respectively (p = 0.14). Eight cases were converted to open (14%): 2 for bleeding, 2 for anatomic uncertainty, 1 for tumor size, 1 for margins, 1 for inability to localize the tumor, and 1 for adhesions. Median length of stay was lower for LLR at 5 days vs 6 days for OLR (p < 0.001). There was no difference in frequency of ICU admission, reoperation, 30-day emergency room visit, or 30-day readmission rates. Median overall cost for LLR was lower at

What Surgeons can Learn From Athletes: Mental Practice in Sports and Surgery

11,376 vs

Waking up the next morning: surgeons’ emotional reactions to adverse events

12,523 for OLR (p = 0.077). CONCLUSIONS Our experience suggests that LLR confers the clinical advantages of reduced operating room time, estimated blood loss, and length of stay while decreasing overall cost. LLR, therefore, appears to be a clinically and fiscally advantageous approach in properly selected patients.