Successful incorporation of robotic surgery into gynecologic oncology fellowship training

Background

The increasing role of robotic surgery in gynecologic oncology may impact fellowship training. The purpose of this study was to review the proportion of robotic procedures performed by fellows at the console, and compare operative times and lymph node yields to faculty surgeons.

Methods

A prospective database of women undergoing robotic gynecologic surgery has been maintained since 2008. Intra-operative datasheets completed include surgical times and primary surgeon at the console. Operative times were compared between faculty and fellows for simple hysterectomy (SH), bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO), pelvic (PLND) and paraaortic lymph node dissection (PALND) and vaginal cuff closure (VCC). Lymph nodes counts were also compared.

Results

Times were recorded for 239 SH, 43 BSOs, 105 right PLNDs, 104 left PLNDs, 34 PALND and 269 VCC. Comparing 2008 to 2011, procedures performed by the fellow significantly increased; SH 16% to 83% (p < 0.001), BSO 7% to 75% (p = 0.005), right PLND 4% to 44% (p < 0.001), left PLND 0% to 56% (p < 0.001), and VCC 59% to 82% (p = 0.024). Console times (min) were similar for SH (60 vs. 63, p = 0.73), BSO (48 vs. 43, p = 0.55), and VCC (20 vs. 22, p = 0.26). Faculty times (min) were shorter for PLND (right 26 vs. 30, p = 0.04, left 23 vs. 27, p = 0.02). Nodal counts were not significantly different (right 7 vs. 8, p = 0.17 or left 7 vs. 7, p = 0.87).

Conclusions

Robotic surgery can be successfully incorporated into gynecologic oncology fellowship training. With increased exposure to robotic surgery, fellows had similar operative times and lymph node yields as faculty surgeons.     

Severe pulmonary hemorrhage in a 3‐week‐old neonate with COVID‐19 infection: A case report

Our patient is a 3‐week‐old female neonate, presented with complaints of low‐grade fever and a congested nose for one day. Eventually, she developed progressive desaturation, hypotension, and poor perfusion due to severe pulmonary hemorrhage. Then, she developed cardiac arrest and was declared dead.     

The effect of education given to type 2 diabetic individuals on diabetes self-management and self-efficacy: Randomized controlled trial

AimThis study used a randomized controlled trial design and was carried out to examine the effect of education on diabetes self-management and self-efficacy in patients with type 2 diabetes.MethodsThe study was carried out between July 2016–March 2017. Data were collected using information form, Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire (DSMQ), self-efficacy scale for patients with type 2 diabetes (DSS).The individuals in the experimental group were given education. Both groups were reminded about the control time of their metabolic values on the phone in the 3rd and 6th months.ResultsThe average age of the individuals was 59.91 ± 8.93 (n = 78), 62.8% (n = 49) were female, 92.3% (n = 72), were married, 42.3% (n = 33) were high school graduates and their diabetes duration was 7.05 ± 3.9. There was a statistically significant difference in the 6th month metabolic values in the experimental group compared to the control group. When diabetes self-management and self-efficacy were examined, a statistically significant difference was found in the experimental group compared to the control group at 3rd and 6th months (p < 0.05, p < 0.01).ConclusionIn this study, a significant increase in diabetes self-management and self-efficacy and a significant decrease in metabolic values were observed as a result of education and phone reminders given to individuals with type 2 diabetes.     

A prospective randomised comparative study of endoscopic band ligation versus injection sclerotherapy of bleeding internal haemorrhoids in patients with liver cirrhosis

Background and study aimsBleeding internal haemorrhoids are common and used to be treated surgically with too many complications. Endoscopic therapy is trying to take the lead. Sclerotherapy and rubber band ligation are the candidates to replace surgical therapy especially in patients with liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to compare endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) to endoscopic rubber band ligation (EBL) regarding effectiveness and complications in the treatment of bleeding internal haemorrhoids in Egyptian patients with liver cirrhosis.Patients and methodsOne hundred and twenty adult patients with liver cirrhosis and bleeding internal haemorrhoids were randomised into two equal groups; the first treated with EBL using Saeed multiband ligator, and the second with EIS using either ethanolamine oleate 5% or N-butyl cyanoacrylate. All groups were matched as regards age, sex, Child score and pre-procedure Doppler values. Patients were followed up clinically and with abdominal ultrasound/Doppler for 6 months. Endoscopic and endosonography/Doppler was done before and one month after the procedure. Pre and post-procedure data were recorded and analysed.ResultsBoth techniques were highly effective in the control of bleeding from internal haemorrhoids with a low rebleeding [10% in the EBL group and 13.33% in the EIS group] and recurrence [20% in the EBL group 20% in the EIS group] rates. Child score had a positive correlation with rebleeding and recurrence in EIS group only.Pain score and need for analgesia were significantly higher while patient satisfaction was significantly lower in EIS compared to EBL [p < 0.05]. No significant difference between ethanolamine and cyanoacrylate subgroups was found [p > 0.05].ConclusionsBoth EBL and EIS were effective in the treatment of bleeding internal haemorrhoids in patients with liver cirrhosis. EBL had significantly less pain and higher patient satisfaction than EIS. EBL was also safer in patients with advanced cirrhosis.     

Association of MTHFR and TYMS gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility to HCC in Egyptian HCV cirrhotic patients

Clinical and Experimental Medicine - Identification of host genetic factors influencing the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV)...