Bakgrund: Efter kirurgiska ingrepp förekommer postoperativt ileus (POI) som ett normalfysiologiskt tillstånd. POI definieras som ett avvikande mönster av gastrointestinal motilitet med karakteristiska symtom som illamående och kräkningar, uppspänd buk, samt utebliven gasavgång eller avföring. POI har påvisats påverka den postoperativa återhämtningen negativt. Syfte: Syftet med studien var att kartlägga interventioner som används för att minska durationen av postoperativt ileus vid svenska kirurgiska vårdavdelningar. Design: Enkätbaserad tvärsnittsstudie. Metod: Internetbaserad enkät skickades till vårdenhetschefer vid 86 kirurgiskt inriktade vårdavdelningar på fem universitetssjukhus i södra och mellersta Sverige. Resultat: Totalt 21 kirurgiska vårdavdelningar besvarade enkäten. Kunskaper kring innebörden och handläggningen av POI angavs som måttliga till goda. Den mest frekvent föreslagna interventionen inom omvårdnad var mobilisering och laxantia i olika former var den vanligaste farmakologiska interventionen. Konklusion: Omvårdnads- och farmakologiska interventioner av varierande evidensgrad används på svenska kirurgiska vårdavdelningar. Det tycks finnas ett behov av utbildning om och implementering av vetenskapliga kunskaper inom området för bedömning och handläggning av POI. / Background: Postoperative ileus (POI) occurs as a normal reaction to all forms of surgery. POI is defined as a deviant pattern of gastrointestinal motility with characteristic symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, abdominal distension and lack of gas or stool. Postoperative ileus has been shown to affect the postoperative recovery in a negative way. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the current use of interventions aimed to reduce the duration time of postoperative ileus in Swedish surgical wards. Design: A cross-sectional study. Method: A web-based survey was administered to matrons at 86 surgical wards in five university hospitals in the mid- and south of Sweden. Results: In total, 21 wards responded. The knowledge about the meaning and management of POI was perceived as moderate to good. The most frequent used nursing intervention was mobilization, and the most common pharmacological action proposed was laxatives of various sorts. Conclusion: Both nursing and pharmacological interventions with various grades of evidence are used in Swedish surgical wards. There are indications of a need for education and implementation of science-based knowledge within the area of assessing and managing POI.

Introdução: Os simuladores cirúrgicos de realidade virtual (SCRV) têm se mostrado uma ferramenta valiosa no treinamento e formação em laparoscopia. Tendo em vista a eficácia dos SCRV, novas utilidades têm sido propostas para estes equipamentos. Assim como nos esportes, onde fazer aquecimento antes do exercício comprovadamente melhora o desempenho, acredita-se que praticar no SCRV antes de operar pode melhorar a performance cirúrgica. Objetivo: Verificar se há benefício na prática de aquecimento pré-operatório quanto à performance cirúrgica. Materiais e Métodos: Vinte estudantes de medicina com bases em laparoscopia foram divididos em 2 grupos (I e II). O grupo I realizou uma colecistectomia videolaparoscópica em modelo suíno. O grupo II realizou o mesmo procedimento só que realizando previamente aquecimento préoperatório em SCRV. Os desempenhos dos dois grupos foram confrontados quanto aos parâmetros quantitativos (tempo para dissecção do pedículo da vesícula, tempo para clipagem do pedículo, tempo para secção do pedículo, tempo para remoção da vesícula, tempo operatório total, sangramento aspirado) e parâmetros qualitativos (noção de profundidade, destreza bimanual, eficiência, manejo de tecidos e autonomia) baseado em uma escala previamente validada, em que quanto maior a nota, melhor o resultado. Os dados foram submetidos à análise estatística com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: O grupo que realizou aquecimento préoperatório apresentou resultados significativamente melhores quanto a tempo para dissecção do pedículo da vesícula (271 ± 173 s vs 714 ± 590 s, p = 0,012), tempo para clipagem do pedículo (173 ± 165 s vs 330 ± 141 s, p = 0,004), tempo para secção do pedículo (68 ± 30 s vs 110 ± 42 s, p = 0,019), sangramento aspirado (57 ± 27 mL vs 114 ± 112,59 mL, p = 0,006), noção de profundidade (4,5 ± 0,7 vs 3,3 ± 0,67, p = 0,004), destreza bimanual (4,2 ± 0,78 vs 3,3 ± 0,67, p = 0,004), manejo de tecidos (4,2 ± 0,91 vs 3,6 ± 0,66, p = 0,012) e autonomia (4,9 ± 0,31 vs 3,6 ± 0,96, p = 0,028). Não houve diferença significativa quanto ao tempo para remoção da vesícula (909 ± 2 73 s vs 694 ± 258 s, p = 0,088), tempo operatório total (1536 ± 306 s vs 1852 ± 663 s, p = 0,188) e eficiência (4 ± 0,66 vs 3,6 ± 0,69, p = 0,320). Conclusão: A prática de aquecimento pré-operatório parece trazer benefício no desempenho cirúrgico mesmo em indivíduos com pequena experiência em laparoscopia / Introduction: Virtual reality surgical simulators (VRSS) have been showing themselves as a valuable tool in laparoscopy training and education. Taking in consideration the effectiveness of the VRSS, new uses for this tool have been purposed. In sports, warming up before exercise clearly shows benefit in performance. It is hypothesized that warming up in the VRSS before going to the operating room may show benefit in surgical performance. Objective: We aim to verify whether there is benefit in surgical performance when a preoperatory warm-up is performed using a VRSS. Materials and Methods: Twenty medical students with basic knowledge in laparoscopy were divided into two groups (I and II). Group I performed a laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a porcine model. Group II performed the same procedure but performing previously a pre-operative warm-up in a VRSS. The performance between both groups was compared regarding quantitative parameters (gallbladder pedicle dissection time, pedicle clipping time, pedicle cutting time, gallbladder removal time, total operative time and aspirated blood loss) and qualitative parameters (depth perception, bimanual dexterity, efficiency, tissue handling and autonomy) based on a previously validated score system, in which the higher the score, better the result. Data was analyzed with level of significance of 5%. Results: The warm-up group revealed significantly better results regarding gallbladder pedicle dissection time (271 ± 173 s vs. 714 ± 590 s, p = 0.012), the pedicle clipping time (173 ± 165 s vs. 330 ± 141 s, p = 0.004), for pedicle cutting time (68 ± 30 s vs. 110 ± 42 s, p = 0.019), aspirated blood loss (57 ± 27 mL vs. 114 ± 112.59 mL, p = 0.006), depth perception (4.5 ± 0.7 vs. 3,3 ± 0.67, p = 0.004), bimanual dexterity (4.2 ± 0.78 vs. 3.3 ± 0.67, p = 0.004), tissue handling (4.2 ± 0.91 vs. 3.6 ± 0.66, p = 0.012) and autonomy (4.9 ± 0.31 vs. 3.6 ± 0.96, p = 0.028). There were no significant differences regarding for gallbladder removal time (909 ± 273 s vs. 694 ± 258 s, p = 0.088), total operative time (1536 ± 306 s vs. 1852 ± 663 s, p = 0.188) and efficiency (4 ± 0.66 vs. 3.6 ± 0.69, p = 0.320). Conclusion: The practice of pre-operative warm-up training using VRSS seems to benefit surgical performance even in subject with mild laparoscopic experience

Transcutaneous oxygen pressure measurement (TCp02) using a miniaturised Clarke electrode and a heating thermistor was developed independently by Huch et al and Eberhardt et al in 1972. After its initial use to non invasively monitor arterial partial pressure (Pa02) in neonates it was proposed as a useful test of skin blood flow and possibly amputation wound healing level selection in patients with peripheral vascular disease. Unfortunately a wide range of predictive values emerged with some authors reporting amputations healing when the TCp02 value was 0 mmHg. The investigation, while still considered useful, has not gained widespread support. This study investigates the use of TCp02, establishes a value for the use of the TCp02 Index to predict amputation wound healing potential and examines the hypothesis that the use of the TcpO Index to select amputation level can reduce patient morbidity and mortality. The literature is reviewed and a series of studies evaluating TCp02 use, undertaken in the Durban Metropolitan Vascular Service Non-Invasive Laboratories, are presented. TCp02 measurements were performed in a standardised manner with the subject supine breathing room air. Measurements were taken at fixed sites, on the mid dorsum of the foot (Foot), 10 cm distal to the tibial tuberosity and 2 cm lateral to the anterior tibial margin (BKA), 10 cm proximal to the patella in the midline (AKA) and on the chest in the mid-clavicular line. A TCp02 Index, the limb to chest ratio was defined. TCp02 data derived from control subjects asymptomatic of peripheral vascular disease were shown to be similar to age matched pooled data derived from the literature. In patients with peripheral vascular disease, absolute TCp02 and the TCp02 Index were shown to fall from proximal to distal sites and again were no different to pooled data derived from the literature. Based on presenting symptoms, the fall in TCp02 and the TCp02 Index was significant from proximal to distal sites. The reduction in absolute TCp02 and the TCp02 was also related to the most distal pulse present. TCp02 values were found to be no different in patients with peripheral vascular disease with or without diabetes. When comparing TCp02 and the TCp02 Index with Doppler pressure measurements at the Popliteal artery and at the foot, and the Doppler ankle brachial index (ABI), Doppler derived data were significantly higher in diabetic patients than in non-diabetic patients. No differences were noted in TCp02 data. TCp02 was compared with the 133Xe radio-isotope skin washout test. The best correlation was (r = 0.46) was obtained with a logarithmic curve y = 10.862Ln(x) + 38.751. TCp02 was compared with antibiotic concentrations (Cefoxitin) in muscle obtained from the site of amputation and the Cefoxitin Index, the ratio of muscle antibiotic concentration to plasma concentration, as an indication of the relationship of skin TCp02 to muscle blood flow. A significant correlation was shown between the Cefoxitin Index and TCp02 (r = 0.67, p = 0.035) and the TCp02 Index (r = 0.64, P = 0.045), suggesting that skin oxygen delivery may reflect muscle antibiotic delivery and hence blood flow. TCp02 and the TCp02 Index were compared with heated and unheated laser Doppler fluxmetry (LDF) in 35 patients undergoing amputation wound healing assessment. Significant correlations were shown between heated LDF, heated LDF Index and the TCp02 Index (r = 0.63 and r = 0.69, P < 0.0001). TCp02 Index values of 0.5 and 0.55 showed an accuracy of 96.2 % in predicting amputation outcome while LDF values of 3, 4 and 5 arbitrary units gave an accuracy of 88.5 %. Using receiver operator curves, a TCp02 Index of 0.55 was shown to be the best test. Over the years 1987 and 1988, TCp02 data were gathered on 193 patients undergoing lower limb amputation for peripheral vascular disease. Information on the outcome of the amputation was available for 152 amputations. Circumstances which might result in a reduced pre-operative TCp02 reading were identified and criteria were set for the use of TCp02 to predict amputation wound healing potential. 122 amputations which met the defined entry criteria were available for evaluation. A TCp02 Index of 0.50 gave a definitive predictive value below which no amputation healed. Similarly no amputation with an absolute TCp02 of less than 27 mmHg healed. Receiver operator characteristic curves showed the TCp02 Index to be a better test than absolute TCp02. A TCp02 Index of 0.55 was shown to have the best sensitivity of96.7 %, with a specificity of79.8 % and an accuracy of 90.2 %. When introduced to clinical practice, correct use of the TCp02 Index of 0.55 resulted in a reduction in amputation revision rate from 40.3 % in 1987, to 8.2 % in 1990. Initially some surgeons felt that the TCp02 Index predicted amputation wound failure at distal sites at which healing could be expected on clinical criteria, and chose amputate at sites with a TCp02 Index value less than 0.55. These amputations failed to heal. As surgeons gained confidence in the test, they chose to follow the TCp02 data more often and the percentage of amputations performed at sites predicted by the TCp02 Index to fail , fell from 35.5 % in 1987 to 6.6 % in 1990. Over a 15 year period at King Edward VIII Hospital, the amputation revision rate has fallen from an average of 32.7 % in the first five years when Tcp02 data were not available to the surgeon, to 21.4 % and 22.9 % in the two subsequent 5 year periods when Tcp02 data were available. The mortality rates were unchanged. The decline in revision rates was less than expected and relates to the fact that approximately only 42 % of patients requiring amputation undergo the test. This is because it is time consuming and available only during weekday office hours. These studies have confirmed the usefulness of Tcp02 measurement in the non-invasive vascular laboratory. The index is shown to be superior to absolute Tcp02 as a predictive test of amputation wound healing. The introduction of several criteria to define when Tcp02 use is appropriate has refined the investigation and made it clinically useful in our setting. A Tcp02 Index of 0.55 in the appropriate patient is a useful test to predict amputation wound healing and its use has resulted in reduced patient morbidity and mortality, confirming the hypothesis tested. / Thesis (M.D.)-University of Natal, 2001.

Thesis (M.Med.)--University of Natal, Durban, 1997.

The pattern of mucosal blood flow in normal human stomachs, and benign gastric ulcers was assesed with laser Doppler flowmetry and the relationship between a single determination of ulcer blood flow and the systemic level of growth factors was investigated. A significant ascending gradient in mucosal blood flow from the antrum to fundus was demonstrated. Different levels of cellular activity in the regions of the stomach may explain this gradient. In the gastric ulcers that healed on standard medical therapy mucosal blood flow was significantly increased in comparison to normal stomachs. In the ulcers that were refractory to standard medical therapy mucosal blood flow was significantly lower than in normal stomachs and healing ulcers. Higher systemic levels of the growth factor bFGF were demonstrated in healing ulcers compared to non-healing ulcers. Gastric mucosal blood flow can increase in response to the increased metabolic demands of healing, however impairment of this response may be an important factor preventing healing of benign gastric ulcers. It would appear that non-healing of gastric ulcers can be predicted at initial diagnosis by reduced peri-ulcer gastric mucosal blood flow and low blood levels of bFGF. / Thesis (M.Med.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1999.

Background: Surgical disease related to HIV is scantily documented with a paucity of data detailing the manifestations of HIV in surgery especially in resource-poor, high prevalence settings such as in South Africa. This review provides an update on the topical issues surrounding HIV and surgery. Objectives: The objective of the study was to determine the incidence, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, aspects of diagnosis and management of: HIV- associated salivary gland disease in particular parotid gland enlargement; Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) and lower limb lymphoedema; AIDS- related abdominal malignancies due to KS and lymphoma; Acalculous cholecystitis and HIV- cholangiopathy and HIV- associated vasculopathy. Methods: A collective review of the literature was performed and data sourced from a search of relevant electronic medical databases for literature from the period 2000 to the present date. Studies under each section were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Content analysis was used to analyse data. Results: The HIV pandemic has resulted in an increased frequency of benign lymphoepithelial cysts making it the commonest cause of parotidomegaly in most surgical practices. KS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a patient with chronic lymphoedema. Lymphoedema may be present without cutaneous lesions, making clinical diagnosis of KS difficult. The gastrointestinal tract is the commonest site of extra- cutaneous KS. Surgical management of the lymphoma patient is restricted nowadays to determining the diagnosis and in some cases to evaluate disease stage. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is an important part of the management of biliary tract conditions in addition to relevant surgical procedures. HIV- vasculopathy represents a distinct clinico- pathological entity characterized by a vasculitis with probable immune- mediated or direct HIV- related injury to the vessel wall. Conclusion: The rising incidence of HIV in South Africa and other developing countries has been associated with new and unusual disease manifestations requiring surgical management for diagnostic, palliative or curative intent. It is crucial that surgeons remain abreast of new developments related to the challenging spectrum of HIV and its protean manifestations. / Thesis (M.Med.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2012.

This study investigates the clinical and major risk factor profiles in Whites, Indians and Blacks with atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease at the Vascular Service in Durban; and compares them to that for coronary artery disease in the same race groups. The clinical profile for chronic peripheral vascular disease was established in a retrospective study of 2175 patients seen at the Vascular Service during 1981-1986. Atherosclerosis was confirmed in 1974 patients (92,3%) on the basis of clinical, doppler, angiographic and histological evidence. The disease predominantly affected the aorta and distal peripheral vessels. Extracranial cerebrovascular disease occurred less commonly in Blacks than in Whites and Indians. Occlusive disease was the most common pathological type in all race groups. Aneurysmal disease occurred mainly in the aorta with peripheral aneurysms being most common in Blacks. The disease manifested in Blacks at an . earlier age and more aggressively than in Whites and Indians. The risk factor profile for atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease was established in a prospective study of 302 male patients consisting of 100 Whites, 97 Indians and 105 Blacks on the basis of historical, clinical and haematological data. The sample was randomly selected, and not strictly representative of the clinical pattern in the retrospective study. All patients were confirmed to have atherosclerosis on the basis of the previously mentioned criteria. Smoking was the single most common risk factor in all race groups. Hypertension occurred more commonly in Whites and Indians than in Blacks, while diabetes was commonest in Indians. Insulin resistance did not occur in Blacks, but was possibly present in Whites and Indians. Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were raised in Whites and Indians, but not in Blacks. HDL cholesterol was reduced in all 3 race groups. These findings suggest that contrary to the established view, atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease is an established entity in Blacks seen at the Vascular Service in Durban without a concomitant increase in coronary and extracranial cerebrovascular disease. In Whites and Indians atherosclerosis occurred in all of the vascular beds. This could support the contention that in a socially developing society atherosclerosis affects the aorta and distal peripheral vessels before the coronary vascular bed. Since this occurs in the presence of normal levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, it does not support the contention that hypercholesterolaemic states are essential for atherosclerotic lesions to develop. On this basis it is postulated that with social transition there is a differential atherosclerotic involvement of the vascular beds due to a differential vascular susceptibility. Smoking is an important socio-environmental risk factor, while at the biochemical level a reduced HDL cholesterol and not a raised total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol or triglyceride could trigger the 'lipid pathway' in atherogenesis. It is further postulated that the differential vascular susceptibility does not exist in a fully developed society once lipid aberrations include a raised total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Insulin resistance/hyperinsulinaemia may play a role in the evolution of the disease within the coronary vascular bed. / Thesis (M.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1996.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-12-06T22:54:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Objetivo: Avaliar a efetividade da Mitomicina C (MMC) tópica na prevenção e retardo da formação de sinéquias e estenose após manipulações endoscópicas funcionais dos seios paranasais em humanos. Forma de Estudo: Randomizado controlado. Método: 14 pacientes portadores de Rinossinusite Crônica foram submetidos a cirurgias endoscópicas funcionais dos seios paranasais, ao final das quais era colocado cotonóide neurocirúrgico com 1 ml de Mitomicina C (1,0 mg/ml) em um dos meatos médios e outro com 1 ml de solução salina no meato médio contralateral, que servia de controle, ambos por 5 minutos, de forma randomizada, sem que o autor tivesse conhecimento dos lados. O seguimento foi realizado pelo autor, cego em relação aos lados. Foi avaliada a presença de sinéquias em meatos médios e estenoses nas antrostomias. Resultados: Um total de 12 sinéquias (42,86 %) foram identificadas em 10 dos 14 pacientes (p = 0,57). Oito pacientes tiveram sinéquias unilaterais e dois, bilaterais. Dentre as 8 sinéquias unilaterais, somente 1 ocorreu no lado com MMC contra 7 no lado controle (p = 0,07). Ao final de um ano, no grupo MMC, houve 3 (21,43 %) sinéquias contra 9 (64,29 %) no grupo controle (p = 0,054). No lado com MMC todas as 3 (21,43 %) sinéquias foram parciais, enquanto no grupo controle houve 4 (28,57 %) parciais e 5 (35,71 %) totais (p = 0,025). Não houve sinéquias totais no grupo MMC (p = 0,034). Em relação às antrostomias, 1 (7,14 %) ipsilateral à MMC teve estenose, enquanto no grupo controle foram 9 (64,29 %) (p = 0,004). No grupo com MMC a única ocorrência (7,14 %) foi da forma parcial, enquanto que no controle foram 4 (28,57 %) parciais e 5 (35,71 %) totais (p = 0,006). Não houve diferença em relação ao tempo médio de ocorrência de sinéquias entre os grupos (p= 0,055), somente para o tipo total (p = 0,034). O tempo médio para aparecimento de estenoses nas antrostomias foi maior no grupo MMC (p = 0,0015), assim como a média para aparecimento de estenose total (p = 0,016). Conclusão: A Mitomicina C não foi eficaz na prevenção e retardo da formação de sinéquias parciais, porém, preveniu e retardou a formação de sinéquias totais e estenoses nas antrostomias, no pós-operatório de cirurgia endoscópica funcional dos seios paranasais em humanos. Tendo em vista a facilidade de seu uso na forma tópica, em dose única intra-operatória, com poucos efeitos colaterais, somados ao benefício que ela pode trazer, nossos resultados apresentam uma nova perspectiva para a diminuição dos insucessos da cirurgia endoscópica funcional dos seios paranasais. / Purpose: To assess the efficacy of topical Mitomycin C (MMC) in the prevention and delay of synechiae and stenosis formation after functional endoscopic sinus surgery in humans. Method: At the end of functional endoscopic sinus surgery in 14 patients, a cotton pledget soaked in 1 mL of 1 mg/mL MMC was randomly placed into the middle meatus of one nasal cavity for 5 minutes and an identical saline-soaked pledget was placed in the contralateral side in each patient. The author was blinded for the side of the substances. Patients were followed postoperatively by a blinded observer for the presence of synechiae in the middle meatus and stenosis of the maxillary antrostomy. Synechiae were rated as partial when not totally closed, and total when completely closed. Stenosis were rated as partial when smaller than a diameter of 3 mm, and total when completely closed. Results: 12 synechiae (42,86 %) were identified in 10 of 14 patients (p = 0,057). They were unilateral in 8 patients and bilateral in 2. Unilateral synechiae were observed on only 1 side treated with MMC and 7 controls (p = 0,07). After a follow-up of 1 year, 3 sides (21,43 %) treated with MMC and 9 controls (64,29%) had synechiae (p = 0,054). On the MMC side all of them were partial, while on the control side 4 (28,57 %) were partial, and 5 (35,71 %) were total (p = 0,025). One side (7,14%) treated with MMC had stenosis, compared with 9 (64,29%) controls (p = 0,004). The time of occurrence of synechiae was not statistically different between the groups (0,055). However, the time of occurrence of the total type was longer in the MMC group (p = 0,034). The medium time of appearance of stenosis was statistically longer in the MMC group (p = 0,0015). All patients improved their symptoms at the end of our study. Moreover, none needed revision procedure or referred adverse effects. Conclusion: MMC was not efficient in the prevention and delay of synechiae formation. However, it was efficient in preventing and delaying total synechiae and stenosis formation after functional endoscopic sinus surgery in humans. Our results present a new perspective to achieve favorable success rates in functional endoscopic sinus surgery. / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

Introdução: Os simuladores cirúrgicos de realidade virtual (SCRV) têm se mostrado uma ferramenta valiosa no treinamento e formação em laparoscopia. Tendo em vista a eficácia dos SCRV, novas utilidades têm sido propostas para estes equipamentos. Assim como nos esportes, onde fazer aquecimento antes do exercício comprovadamente melhora o desempenho, acredita-se que praticar no SCRV antes de operar pode melhorar a performance cirúrgica. Objetivo: Verificar se há benefício na prática de aquecimento pré-operatório quanto à performance cirúrgica. Materiais e Métodos: Vinte estudantes de medicina com bases em laparoscopia foram divididos em 2 grupos (I e II). O grupo I realizou uma colecistectomia videolaparoscópica em modelo suíno. O grupo II realizou o mesmo procedimento só que realizando previamente aquecimento préoperatório em SCRV. Os desempenhos dos dois grupos foram confrontados quanto aos parâmetros quantitativos (tempo para dissecção do pedículo da vesícula, tempo para clipagem do pedículo, tempo para secção do pedículo, tempo para remoção da vesícula, tempo operatório total, sangramento aspirado) e parâmetros qualitativos (noção de profundidade, destreza bimanual, eficiência, manejo de tecidos e autonomia) baseado em uma escala previamente validada, em que quanto maior a nota, melhor o resultado. Os dados foram submetidos à análise estatística com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: O grupo que realizou aquecimento préoperatório apresentou resultados significativamente melhores quanto a tempo para dissecção do pedículo da vesícula (271 ± 173 s vs 714 ± 590 s, p = 0,012), tempo para clipagem do pedículo (173 ± 165 s vs 330 ± 141 s, p = 0,004), tempo para secção do pedículo (68 ± 30 s vs 110 ± 42 s, p = 0,019), sangramento aspirado (57 ± 27 mL vs 114 ± 112,59 mL, p = 0,006), noção de profundidade (4,5 ± 0,7 vs 3,3 ± 0,67, p = 0,004), destreza bimanual (4,2 ± 0,78 vs 3,3 ± 0,67, p = 0,004), manejo de tecidos (4,2 ± 0,91 vs 3,6 ± 0,66, p = 0,012) e autonomia (4,9 ± 0,31 vs 3,6 ± 0,96, p = 0,028). Não houve diferença significativa quanto ao tempo para remoção da vesícula (909 ± 2 73 s vs 694 ± 258 s, p = 0,088), tempo operatório total (1536 ± 306 s vs 1852 ± 663 s, p = 0,188) e eficiência (4 ± 0,66 vs 3,6 ± 0,69, p = 0,320). Conclusão: A prática de aquecimento pré-operatório parece trazer benefício no desempenho cirúrgico mesmo em indivíduos com pequena experiência em laparoscopia / Introduction: Virtual reality surgical simulators (VRSS) have been showing themselves as a valuable tool in laparoscopy training and education. Taking in consideration the effectiveness of the VRSS, new uses for this tool have been purposed. In sports, warming up before exercise clearly shows benefit in performance. It is hypothesized that warming up in the VRSS before going to the operating room may show benefit in surgical performance. Objective: We aim to verify whether there is benefit in surgical performance when a preoperatory warm-up is performed using a VRSS. Materials and Methods: Twenty medical students with basic knowledge in laparoscopy were divided into two groups (I and II). Group I performed a laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a porcine model. Group II performed the same procedure but performing previously a pre-operative warm-up in a VRSS. The performance between both groups was compared regarding quantitative parameters (gallbladder pedicle dissection time, pedicle clipping time, pedicle cutting time, gallbladder removal time, total operative time and aspirated blood loss) and qualitative parameters (depth perception, bimanual dexterity, efficiency, tissue handling and autonomy) based on a previously validated score system, in which the higher the score, better the result. Data was analyzed with level of significance of 5%. Results: The warm-up group revealed significantly better results regarding gallbladder pedicle dissection time (271 ± 173 s vs. 714 ± 590 s, p = 0.012), the pedicle clipping time (173 ± 165 s vs. 330 ± 141 s, p = 0.004), for pedicle cutting time (68 ± 30 s vs. 110 ± 42 s, p = 0.019), aspirated blood loss (57 ± 27 mL vs. 114 ± 112.59 mL, p = 0.006), depth perception (4.5 ± 0.7 vs. 3,3 ± 0.67, p = 0.004), bimanual dexterity (4.2 ± 0.78 vs. 3.3 ± 0.67, p = 0.004), tissue handling (4.2 ± 0.91 vs. 3.6 ± 0.66, p = 0.012) and autonomy (4.9 ± 0.31 vs. 3.6 ± 0.96, p = 0.028). There were no significant differences regarding for gallbladder removal time (909 ± 273 s vs. 694 ± 258 s, p = 0.088), total operative time (1536 ± 306 s vs. 1852 ± 663 s, p = 0.188) and efficiency (4 ± 0.66 vs. 3.6 ± 0.69, p = 0.320). Conclusion: The practice of pre-operative warm-up training using VRSS seems to benefit surgical performance even in subject with mild laparoscopic experience

PURPOSE: The purpose of this feasibility study was to explore the use of an online video intervention to prepare surgical patients to properly dispose of unused opioids. SPECIFIC AIMS: Describe the feasibility of recruiting, enrolling, randomizing and retaining participants who recently had a general surgery into the study. Describe the differences in opioid disposal by age, sex, education, and type of surgery for the entire sample and by treatment assignment. Describe the preliminary change in knowledge, behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs and disposal of opioids from baseline to post-intervention by group. Describe the relationship between social desirability and behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs and disposal of opioids. FRAMEWORK: The Theory of Reasoned Action was used to guide both the intervention and the measures. DESIGN: This study used a randomized controlled feasibility study to explore a novel video intervention to teach safe storage and disposal of unused opioids after general surgery. RESULTS: A total of 40 participants were enrolled in the study, average age was 44.7 (range 21-75 years), most were White, educated and employed. Recruitment took 11 weeks and the retention rate was excellent at 85%. Differences in opioid disposal was not significantly different by age, sex, education or type of surgery. The video intervention was positively received, but the majority (80%) still stored their pills unsecured. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that a video intervention addressing safe storage and disposal practices of unused opioids is feasible and more research is needed to determine efficacy in increasing rates of secure storage and disposal of unused opioid pills KEYWORDS: Opioids, opioid disposal, general surgery, video education