Traumatic abdominal wall hernia: Delayed repair: Advantageous or taxing

INTRODUCTIONTraumatic abdominal wall hernia (TAWH) is a rare entity. Most cases occur in children, following an injury from the bicycle handle bar. In adults, it usually results from road traffic accidents (RTA). We present one of the largest reported cases of TAWH following RTA managed by delayed mesh repair.PRESENTATION OF CASEA 35 yr old obese male with RTA was diagnosed with TAWH with 19 cm × 15 cm defect in left flank. As there were no intra abdominal injuries and overlying skin was abraded, he was planned for elective repair after 6 months. On exploration a defect of 30 cm × 45 cm was found extending from midline anteriorly to 8 cm short of midline posteriorly in transverse axis and costal margin to iliac crest in craniocaudal axis. After restoration of bowel into abdominal cavity, primary closure or even approximation of muscular defect was not possible thus a mesh closure using 60 cm × 60 cm prolene mesh in subcutaneous plane was done. After 4 months follow up, patient is healthy and has no recurrence.DISCUSSIONEmergent surgical management of TAWH is usually favoured due to high incidence of associated intra abdominal injuries. Delayed repair may be undertaken in selected cases.CONCLUSIONTAWH, although rare, should be suspected in cases of RTA with abdominal wall swellings. With time, the hernia defect may enlarge and muscles may undergo atrophy making delayed repair difficult.     

Virtual reality simulation: basic concepts and use in endoscopic neurosurgery training

Introduction

Virtual reality simulation is a promising alternative to training surgical residents outside the operating room. It is also a useful aide to anatomic study, residency training, surgical rehearsal, credentialing, and recertification.

Discussion

Surgical simulation is based on a virtual reality with varying degrees of immersion and realism. Simulators provide a no-risk environment for harmless and repeatable practice. Virtual reality has three main components of simulation: graphics/volume rendering, model behavior/tissue deformation, and haptic feedback. The challenge of accurately simulating the forces and tactile sensations experienced in neurosurgery limits the sophistication of a virtual simulator. The limited haptic feedback available in minimally invasive neurosurgery makes it a favorable subject for simulation.

Conclusions

Virtual simulators with realistic graphics and force feedback have been developed for ventriculostomy, intraventricular surgery, and transsphenoidal pituitary surgery, thus allowing preoperative study of the individual anatomy and increasing the safety of the procedure. The authors also present experiences with their own virtual simulation of endoscopic third ventriculostomy.     

Low luminance/eyes closed and monochromatic stimulations reduce variability of flash visual evoked potential latency

Context:

Visual evoked potentials are useful in investigating the physiology and pathophysiology of the human visual system. Flash visual evoked potential (FVEP), though technically easier, has less clinical utility because it shows great variations in both latency and amplitude for normal subjects.

Aim:

To study the effect of eye closure, low luminance, and monochromatic stimulation on the variability of FVEPs.

Subjects and Methods:

Subjects in self-reported good health in the age group of 18-30 years were divided into three groups. All participants underwent FVEP recording with eyes open and with white light at 0.6 J luminance (standard technique). Next recording was done in group 1 with closed eyes, group 2 with 1.2 and 20 J luminance, and group 3 with red and blue lights, while keeping all the other parameters constant. Two trials were given for each eye, for each technique. The same procedure was repeated at the same clock time on the following day.

Statistical Analysis:

Variation in FVEP latencies between the individuals (interindividual variability) and the variations within the same individual for four trials (intraindividual variability) were assessed using coefficient of variance (COV). The technique with lower COV was considered the better method.

Results:

Recording done with closed eyes, 0.6 J luminance, and monochromatic light (blue > red) showed lower interindividual and intraindividual variability in P2 and N2 as compared to standard techniques.

Conclusions:

Low luminance flash stimulations and monochromatic light will reduce FVEP latency variability and may be clinically useful modifications of FVEP recording technique.Key Words: Eye closure, flash visual evoked potentials, latency variability, luminance, monochromatic light, visual evoked potentials     

Implementation of an HDR brachytherapy–based breast IORT program: Initial experiences

PurposeA multidisciplinary team at our institution developed a novel method of intraoperative breast radiation therapy (precision breast intraoperative radiation therapy [PB-IORT]) that uses high-dose-rate brachytherapy with CT on-rails imaging to deliver high-dose, customized radiotherapy to patients with early-stage breast cancer. This report summarizes our program's experience developing and implementing PB-IORT.Methods and MaterialsLiterature on PB-IORT was reviewed including published articles and abstracts. To evaluate case volume, all patients with a breast cancer diagnosis who underwent breast surgery or breast radiation (2010–2017) at our academic institution were identified. Patients were stratified into pre-IORT and post-IORT eras with initiation of our PB-IORT program in October 2013. Overall trends in surgical and radiation therapy volume in each era were analyzed by linear regression. Travel distance for all surgical patients was calculated using Google Maps (Alphabet Inc.) and then compared between IORT and non-IORT patients.ResultsData from a PB-IORT Phase 1 trial found that the primary endpoints were met and that PB-IORT is feasible and safe. The direct health system's delivery costs for PB-IORT exceed those of 16-fraction whole-breast irradiation when accounting for consumable supplies (multilumen balloon applicator = $2,750 per patient). There was a significant increase in yearly growth of breast cancer surgical volume with PB-IORT.ConclusionsAccrual rates for the ongoing Phase II trial have been quicker than expected in an area where more research is needed. The rapid accrual indicates patient interest and demand for this treatment and that it is very feasible to get more data from randomized trials.