The effects of video games on laparoscopic simulator skills

Background

Recently, there has been a growth in studies supporting the hypothesis that video games have positive effects on basic laparoscopic skills. This review discusses all studies directly related to these effects.

Data Sources

A search in the PubMed and EMBASE databases was performed using synonymous terms for video games and laparoscopy. All available articles concerning video games and their effects on skills on any laparoscopic simulator (box trainer, virtual reality, and animal models) were selected.

Conclusions

Video game experience has been related to higher baseline laparoscopic skills in different studies. There is currently, however, no standardized method to assess video game experience, making it difficult to compare these studies. Several controlled experiments have, nevertheless, shown that video games cannot only be used to improve laparoscopic basic skills in surgical novices, but are also used as a temporary warming-up before laparoscopic surgery.     

Hydrotherapy in burn care: A survey of hydrotherapy practices in the UK and Ireland and literature review

Introduction

Hydrotherapy is widely used in burns management however there are risks associated with its use, in particular cross-infection. Data regarding indications and techniques in common use is deficient. This study aimed to investigate hydrotherapy practices in the UK and Ireland.

Methods

A survey of the hydrotherapy practice of major burn care providers was performed by e mail and where necessary, follow up telephone contact.

Results

The survey included 28 burn care providers. 27 reported using hydrotherapy. Only 11 (41%) had defined indication criteria with 4 (15%) implementing a specific protocol. Variations in hydrotherapy practice were seen.

Conclusion

Hydrotherapy is used nationwide, however considerable variation in practice exists. One area worthy of further consideration is the need for appropriate standards of infection control.     

How do I manage an acute injury to the facial nerve?

Paralysis of the facial nerve is a cause of considerable functional and aesthetic disfigurement. Damage to the upper trunk can result in eye complications with the risk of exposure keratitis. Numerous factors influence the therapeutic strategy: the cause of the injury, the time elapsed since injury, functional impairment, and the likelihood of recovery. We discuss the management of an acute injury to the facial nerve and focus on the surgical options.     

磁性纳米粒子复合支架及外加磁场影响成骨作用的研究进展

磁性纳米粒子（MNP）具有独特的磁响应性、生物相容性,在作为生物材料时可通过其内在的微小磁场促进成骨分化。掺入MNP的磁性复合支架保留了MNP的超顺磁性,具有良好的物理机械性能以及生物学性能,在体内外均取得良好的成骨效果。外加磁场可通过影响细胞代谢行为促进骨组织修复,与MNP复合支架结合可起到协同促进骨组织修复再生的作用,在骨组织工程领域的应用潜力巨大。本文就MNP复合支架的性能、MNP复合支架和磁场的成骨作用研究进展作一综述,为MNP复合支架进一步研究和临床应用提供参考。     

Review of the comparative effectiveness of radical prostatectomy,radiation therapy,or expectant management of localized prostate cancer in registry data

Summary

Evidence regarding the effectiveness of treatment for prostate cancer is primarily based on randomized controlled trials. Long-term outcomes are generally difficult to evaluate within experimental studies and may benefit from large pools of observational data. We conducted a systematic review of administrative and registry studies to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of treatment for clinically localized prostate cancer on overall and prostate-cancer specific mortality.