Suturing in laparoscopic surgery is a challenging and time-consuming task that presents haptic, motor and spatial constraints for the surgeon. As a result, there is variability in surgical outcome when performing basic suturing tasks such as knot tying, stitching and tissue dissection (as large as 50\%). This goal of this thesis is to develop a standardized, proof-of-concept, automated robotic suturing system that performs a side-to-side anastomosis with image guidance and dynamic trajectory control. A passive alignment tool is created for rigidly constraining needle pose, and robust computer vision algorithms are used to track surface features and the suture needle. A robotic system integrates these components to autonomously pass a curved suture needle through sequential loops in a tissue pad phantom.

Implicit models inherently support automatic blending and trivial collision detection which makes them an effective tool for designing complex organic shapes with many applications in various areas of research including surgical simulation systems. However, slow rendering speeds can adversely affect the performance of simulation and modelling systems. In addition, when the models are incorporated in a surgical simulation system, interactive and smooth cutting becomes a required feature for many procedures. In this research, we propose a comprehensive framework for high-performance rendering and physically-based animation of tissues modelled using implicit surfaces. Our goal is to address performance and scalability issues that arise in rendering complex implicit models as well as in dynamic interactions between surgical tool and models. Complex models can be created with implicit primitives, blending operators, affine transformations, deformations and constructive solid geometry in a design environment that organizes all these in a scene graph data structure called the BlobTree. We show that the BlobTree modelling approach provides a very compact data structure which supports the requirements above, as well as incremental changes and trivial collision detection. A GPU-assisted surface extraction algorithm is proposed to support interactive modelling of complex BlobTree models. Using a finite element approach we discretize those models for accurate physically-based animation. Our system provides an interactive cutting ability using smooth intersection surfaces. We show an application of our system in a human skull craniotomy simulation. / Graduate / 0984 / pourya.shirazian@gmail.com

Class of 2012 Abstract / Specific Aims: The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the time of vancomycin pre-operative surgical site infection prophylaxis administration relative to other scheduled antibiotic therapy at a tertiary care, academic medical center. The secondary purpose was to characterize the incidence of adverse events post-surgery that were associated with vancomycin therapy in patients who received both pre- operative scheduled vancomycin therapy and vancomycin for surgical site infection prophylaxis Methods: This descriptive study was a retrospective medical chart review of all patients over the age of 28 days who received vancomycin for surgical site infection prophylaxis between February 2011 and May 2011 at a tertiary care, academic medical center. This study was approved be the Institutional Review Board. The subject population included patients admitted to the hospital for at least 72 hours who received at least 48 hours of scheduled vancomycin (IV), daptomycin or linezolid therapy before index surgery and subsequently received surgical site infection prophylaxis with vancomycin. Main Results: Of the 20 subjects who meet the study inclusion criteria, 18 (90%) subjects received scheduled vancomycin doses within 48 hours prior to surgery, 5 (25%) subjects within 4 hours, and 4 (20%) subjects within 2 hours. No surgical site infections were reported. Conclusions: This was a pilot study to evaluate the timing of vancomycin surgical site infection prophylaxis doses with scheduled vancomycin, linezolid, and daptomycin. No adverse effects associated with surgical site infection prophylaxis were reported but the sample size is small and likely inadequate to detect this potential issue.

Objectives: The thesis seeks to provide an analysis of surgical work and decision making, to identify the basis of the widely observed variation in surgical practice and to indicate what surgeons see as the source(s) of that variation. Against this background, it examines the strengths and limitations of the approach promoted by the evidence-based medicine movement to surgical work. Methods: A qualitative study of surgical practice by urological and gynaecological surgeons in England and the USA involved in the treatment of female urinary stress incontinence. Depth interviews with 29 English surgeons and five American surgeons. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Observation of 23 operations and additional ethnographic data collection at the hospitals and clinics where these surgeons worked. The observational data consist of near verbatim notes. All these data were analysed using the constant comparative approach described by Glaser and Strauss (1967). A variant of the split-half technique was used to test emerging themes. Results: Surgical practice is contingent: it is dependent on a range of variables, and, it is serendipitous. Three categories of contingency are identified (case, surgeon and external contingency). It is argued that surgical practice entails the complex interplay of these conditional factors and chance happenings. In order to learn to deal with contingency, surgeons learn or acquire practice skills through first hand experience. The thesis explores the role of the surgical apprenticeship and models of learning used by surgeons. Conclusion: The nature of surgical practice presents some fundamental challenges to EBM. The contingent and experiential features of surgical work raise serious doubts about the applicability of EBM to surgery.

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / 2031-01-01

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine in the branch of Anaesthesia Johannesburg, April 2013 / BACKGROUND: Once lauded as one of the most valuable interventions across all fields of contemporary medicine, perioperative beta blockade (PBB) is a practice that has come under intense scrutiny. Publication of the PeriOperative ISchemic Evaluation (POISE) study forced a modification of recommendations for PBB in consensus guidelines. Practice in South Africa has not been previously reported. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this study was to describe current intended practice, with respect to PBB, in patients undergoing major vascular surgery at South African specialist training facilities. Secondary objectives were describing participant satisfaction with current strategy, reporting suggested modifications to clinician responsibilities in the future, and identifying potential barriers to the intervention. METHOD: One anaesthesiologist and one vascular surgeon from each of the seven recognised training facilities for vascular surgery in South Africa were included in a partially selective observational survey. Data was generated by the use of a semi-structured questionnaire specifically developed to address the objectives of the study. RESULTS: The POISE study results and updated international consensus guidelines had not prompted a change in approach at most facilities. There was inconsistency in methods of risk stratification, treatment implementation, titration practices, and the timing of withdrawal of medication. Anaesthesiologist and vascular surgeon opinion on current intended practice correlated poorly. Opinions correlated least well at facilities where both clinicians claimed responsibility for PBB, implying that communication may be a problem. Similarities, where they did occur, were in keeping with recommendations that are widely supported in the literature. Less than half of the participants were satisfied with current practice. The involvement of the anaesthesiologists in the perioperative management of vascular surgery patients was less than reported in other countries. The participants supported a major role for anaesthesiologists in the future, and a move towards multidisciplinary involvement in policy development and patient management. The need for appropriate monitoring was identified as one of many important barriers. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes current intended practice at South African training facilities for vascular surgery. The variable practice across the country; the poor correlation of participant responses; widespread dissatisfaction with current strategy; suggested changes to clinician responsibilities; and the identification of multiple barriers to the implementation of strategy, highlight the need for review at all facilities. Further research is needed, since the optimal strategy for reducing risk in patients undergoing vascular surgery remains elusive.

O avental cirúrgico, um dos principais componentes de barreira antimicrobiana, é confeccionado com materiais de tecido e não-tecido. A Sociedade Norte-Americana de Enfermeiros do Centro Cirúrgico - AORN e a Norma Européia - EN 13795-3 recomendam que os aventais cirúrgicos devam prover uma barreira apropriada contra microrganismos, sangue e outros fluidos corpóreos (seco ou molhado). Tais recomendações, no entanto, não definem o que consideram como \"barreira apropriada\". O que ainda não foi comprovado, porém, é se o uso de materiais de não-tecido realmente interfere, isoladamente, tanto na contaminação da ferida operatória, quanto na ocorrência de ISC. O presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar se há evidências científicas, pela revisão sistemática de literatura, que fundamentem a prática do uso de aventais em cirurgias, conforme seu material de confecção. Foram considerados para a revisão sistemática apenas estudos básicos de intervenção, que investigaram a contaminação e ou a infecção do sítio cirúrgico com uso de aventais cirúrgicos reutilizáveis e ou de uso-único, utilizando como população pessoas submetidas a cirurgias, em situações reais ou simuladas, em qualquer período, sem limitação de idioma. Para localizar os estudos, utilizou-se a estratégia: P (pacientes) = pacientes cirúrgicos - surgical patients, I (intervenção) = roupa hospitalar ou roupa de proteção – clothing / protective clothing, C (comparação) = uso-único ou reutilizável - single-use or reusable, O (desfecho) = contaminação ou infecção da ferida operatória – surgical wound infection/contamination. A busca dos estudos orientou-se pelas bases de dados eletrônicas: LILACS, CINAHL, EMBASE, COCHRANE, PubMed/MEDLINE, pesquisa manual na revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Enfermeiros de Centro Cirúrgico (SOBECC) e referências dos estudos incluídos. Os dados analisados foram apresentados em três fases: Fase 1: Caracterização do processo de seleção dos estudos; Fase 2: Caracterização dos estudos incluídos; Fase 3: Avaliação da evidência dos estudos incluídos, a partir de duas escalas de qualidade, sendo uma delas a de Jadad e outra a de Controle de Infecção Cirúrgica (EQCIC), adaptada de Nobre e Bernardo. A amostra desta revisão sistemática constituiu-se de 12 estudos, sendo que apenas um deles investigou o avental isoladamente. Os demais investigaram principalmente os campos cirúrgicos juntamente com os aventais. Constata-se, com isso, dificuldade de isolar o objeto de intervenção de outros inúmeros fatores que podem interferir nos desfechos, em estudos desta natureza. Dois estudos (E1, E2) obtiveram forte evidência de recomendação, concluindo pela não diferença de contaminação e infecção do sítio cirúrgico entre aventais e campos de tecido e não-tecido. Devido à ausência de estudos semelhantes não houve a possibilidade de realizar a metanálise. A verificação isolada de aventais cirúrgicos depende de mais pesquisas bem controladas e delineadas. A contribuição desta investigação para a implementação de prática baseada em evidências mostrou-se relevante não somente para responder especificamente à questão da pesquisa, mas também para identificar qualidade, lacunas, falhas e recomendar aspectos a serem considerados nas próximas pesquisas desta natureza / The surgical gown, one of the main components of the antimicrobial barrier, is confectioned with woven and non-woven materials. The American Operating Room Nursing - AORN and The European Norm - EN 13795-3 recommend that the surgical gowns should provide an appropriate barrier against microorganisms, blood and other organic fluids (dry or wet). These recommendations, however, do not define, yet, what to consider an \"appropriate barrier\".. What has not been proved yet is if the use of non-woven materials influence, in an isolated way, both the contamination of an operation wound, and the occurrence of ISC. It was the objective of this present study to investigate if there is scientific evidence, by means of systematic revision, that founded the practice of use of gowns in surgery, according to its material of confections. Only basic studies of intervention that investigated the contamination and or surgical site infection with the use of surgical gowns reusable or single-use were considered in the systematic revision, which used as population people who underwent surgery, in real or simulated situations, in any period, without idiom limitation. To locate the studies, we used the PICO strategy: P (patients): surgical patients, I (intervention) = clothing/protective clothing, C (comparison) = single-use or reusable, O (outcome) = contamination or surgical wound infection. The search of studies was guided by the following electronic data bases: LILACS, PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, COCHRANE, CINAHL, manual research in the magazine of Brazilian Society Operating Room Nursing (SOBECC) and references of included studies. The data analyses were shown in three phases: Phase 1: characterization of process of select studies; Phase 2: characterization of included studies; Phase 3: evaluation of the evidence found in the included studies, using two quality scales, being one this The Jadad and other Surgical Infection Control (EQCIC), adapted from Nobre and Bernardo. The sample of this systematic revision comprises 12 studies, being only one of them analyzed only gowns. The remainder investigated mainly the surgical fields together with the gowns. We can see thereby the difficulty in isolating the object of intervention from other countless factors that can influence outcomes, in studies of this nature. Two studies (E1, E2) found strong evidence of recommendation, concluding that there is no difference in terms of contamination and surgical wound infection between woven and non-woven gowns and drapes. Due to the absence of similar studies it is not possible to do some metanalysis. The isolated verification of surgical gowns needs more well controlled and delineated research. The contribution of this investigation to the implementation of practices based on evidences in showed relevant not only to answer specifically the question of research, but also to identify quality, gaps and flaws and recommend aspects to be considered in future research of this nature

Este estudo refere-se a proposta de padrões de enfermagem em centro cirúrgico e de instrumentos para sua operacionalização. Sua elaboração tem como objetivos básicos: a definição de padrões de enfermagem em centro cirúrgico, para nortear as ações de enfermagem e avaliação da assistência no período perioperatório, a estruturação de instrumentos que auxiliem a operacionalizacão desses padrões na prática e o estabelecimento de outros, que subsidiem a avaliação da assistência de enfermagem no período perioperatório. Foram definidos três tipos de padrões: os estruturais, compreendendo 6 padrões, os do processo de assistência de enfermagem, envolvendo 4 e os de resultados, composto por 3. Os instrumentos elaborados para a operacionalizacão dos padrões, são em número de três (1, 2 e 3), com duas partes distintas cada um (PARTE A e B) e os de avaliação da assistência, em número de 2, sendo que o número 4 apresenta parte A e B e o 5, A B e C. Tendo em vista a avaliação dos padrões e instrumentos propostos com a finalidade de detectar possíveis deficiências e propor medidas corretivas, foram elaborados questionários que foram respondidos por enfermeiras especialistas em centro cirúrgico, para a realização do ajuizamento da proposta. Este ajuizamento foi realizado, considerando-se a adequação, clareza, especificidade, objetividade, validade e viabilidade dos padrões e instrumentos. Com base nos resultados do ajuizamento, pode-se inferir que os padrões e instrumentos propostos, foram aceitos pela maioria das enfermeiras. Foram apontadas algumas deficiências e sugeridas medidas corretivas e estas, analisadas. / This work concerns to the proposition of nursing standards in operating roorn and the instruments for their efficiency. The work ellaboration has as basic goals: the definition of nursing standards in operating room to guide the nursing activities during the perioperative time, the instrument organization that may produce the efficiency of these practice standards and the establishment of others which may help the nursing assistance\'s evaluation during the perioperative period. There hinds of standards were defined, structural with 6 standards, standard process with 4 and the standard results formed by 3. The instruments prepared for the standards efficiency are theree (1, 2, 3) and each one has two differente parts (Part A and B) and the assistance\'s evaluation standards are two considering that the number 4 is divided into part A and B and number 5 A, B and C. For having a successful judgement of the proposal, questions were prepared in order to get the specialist nurses\'answers in operating roorn considering the evaluation of the standards and the instrurnents proposed with the objetive of making known some defficiencies and to propose correting actions as well. This judgement was gotten considering the adequacy clearness, specification, objectivity, vality and possibility of the standards and instruments. Based on the judgement results we may infer that the standards and the instruments proposed were accepted by most of the nurses. Some defficiencies and correcting actions were pointed and these analysed.

As rates of obesity have increased this disease has become a common problem that physicians are faced with treating. This paper aims to review the different options for patients and determine the best treatments for obesity. Modalities that are considered include dietary treatment, exercise, pharmacologic treatment, and weight loss surgery. This study compares reduced calorie diets, low fat diets, low glycemic index/load diets, the Mediterranean diet, and low carbohydrate diets. The validity of exercise as an effective prescription for obesity is evaluated and debunked. Pharmacologic treatments that are contrasted include those drug therapies that are currently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the long-term treatment of obesity. Those are orlistat, lorcaserin and phentermine/topiramate. The surgical treatments reviewed include vertical banded gastroplasty, adjustable gastric banding, Roux-en Y gastric bypass, biliopancreatic diversion, and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. After a comprehensive review of the literature the conclusion reached was that treatment for obesity should begin with the least invasive options and those that have the least potential for harm. That is, diet should be a first course of action. Among diets a Mediterranean diet or another culturally adapted low glycemic index/load diet is best. However, more studies are needed to determine how to translate the diets for different cultures and individual tastes. When diets are unable to produce enough weight loss, pharmacologic treatments are considered. Among them, lorcaserin and phentermine/topiramate do not have enough long-term studies to warrant a strong recommendation as of the publishing of this paper. The only other option available, orlistat, comes with many uncomfortable gastrointestinal side effects, so it is also not an ideal option. In addition, orlistat does not produce the amount of weight loss that is seen with surgical procedures. Patients and physicians considering surgical treatment for obesity will find that the best option is laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

O avental cirúrgico, um dos principais componentes de barreira antimicrobiana, é confeccionado com materiais de tecido e não-tecido. A Sociedade Norte-Americana de Enfermeiros do Centro Cirúrgico - AORN e a Norma Européia - EN 13795-3 recomendam que os aventais cirúrgicos devam prover uma barreira apropriada contra microrganismos, sangue e outros fluidos corpóreos (seco ou molhado). Tais recomendações, no entanto, não definem o que consideram como \"barreira apropriada\". O que ainda não foi comprovado, porém, é se o uso de materiais de não-tecido realmente interfere, isoladamente, tanto na contaminação da ferida operatória, quanto na ocorrência de ISC. O presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar se há evidências científicas, pela revisão sistemática de literatura, que fundamentem a prática do uso de aventais em cirurgias, conforme seu material de confecção. Foram considerados para a revisão sistemática apenas estudos básicos de intervenção, que investigaram a contaminação e ou a infecção do sítio cirúrgico com uso de aventais cirúrgicos reutilizáveis e ou de uso-único, utilizando como população pessoas submetidas a cirurgias, em situações reais ou simuladas, em qualquer período, sem limitação de idioma. Para localizar os estudos, utilizou-se a estratégia: P (pacientes) = pacientes cirúrgicos - surgical patients, I (intervenção) = roupa hospitalar ou roupa de proteção – clothing / protective clothing, C (comparação) = uso-único ou reutilizável - single-use or reusable, O (desfecho) = contaminação ou infecção da ferida operatória – surgical wound infection/contamination. A busca dos estudos orientou-se pelas bases de dados eletrônicas: LILACS, CINAHL, EMBASE, COCHRANE, PubMed/MEDLINE, pesquisa manual na revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Enfermeiros de Centro Cirúrgico (SOBECC) e referências dos estudos incluídos. Os dados analisados foram apresentados em três fases: Fase 1: Caracterização do processo de seleção dos estudos; Fase 2: Caracterização dos estudos incluídos; Fase 3: Avaliação da evidência dos estudos incluídos, a partir de duas escalas de qualidade, sendo uma delas a de Jadad e outra a de Controle de Infecção Cirúrgica (EQCIC), adaptada de Nobre e Bernardo. A amostra desta revisão sistemática constituiu-se de 12 estudos, sendo que apenas um deles investigou o avental isoladamente. Os demais investigaram principalmente os campos cirúrgicos juntamente com os aventais. Constata-se, com isso, dificuldade de isolar o objeto de intervenção de outros inúmeros fatores que podem interferir nos desfechos, em estudos desta natureza. Dois estudos (E1, E2) obtiveram forte evidência de recomendação, concluindo pela não diferença de contaminação e infecção do sítio cirúrgico entre aventais e campos de tecido e não-tecido. Devido à ausência de estudos semelhantes não houve a possibilidade de realizar a metanálise. A verificação isolada de aventais cirúrgicos depende de mais pesquisas bem controladas e delineadas. A contribuição desta investigação para a implementação de prática baseada em evidências mostrou-se relevante não somente para responder especificamente à questão da pesquisa, mas também para identificar qualidade, lacunas, falhas e recomendar aspectos a serem considerados nas próximas pesquisas desta natureza / The surgical gown, one of the main components of the antimicrobial barrier, is confectioned with woven and non-woven materials. The American Operating Room Nursing - AORN and The European Norm - EN 13795-3 recommend that the surgical gowns should provide an appropriate barrier against microorganisms, blood and other organic fluids (dry or wet). These recommendations, however, do not define, yet, what to consider an \"appropriate barrier\".. What has not been proved yet is if the use of non-woven materials influence, in an isolated way, both the contamination of an operation wound, and the occurrence of ISC. It was the objective of this present study to investigate if there is scientific evidence, by means of systematic revision, that founded the practice of use of gowns in surgery, according to its material of confections. Only basic studies of intervention that investigated the contamination and or surgical site infection with the use of surgical gowns reusable or single-use were considered in the systematic revision, which used as population people who underwent surgery, in real or simulated situations, in any period, without idiom limitation. To locate the studies, we used the PICO strategy: P (patients): surgical patients, I (intervention) = clothing/protective clothing, C (comparison) = single-use or reusable, O (outcome) = contamination or surgical wound infection. The search of studies was guided by the following electronic data bases: LILACS, PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, COCHRANE, CINAHL, manual research in the magazine of Brazilian Society Operating Room Nursing (SOBECC) and references of included studies. The data analyses were shown in three phases: Phase 1: characterization of process of select studies; Phase 2: characterization of included studies; Phase 3: evaluation of the evidence found in the included studies, using two quality scales, being one this The Jadad and other Surgical Infection Control (EQCIC), adapted from Nobre and Bernardo. The sample of this systematic revision comprises 12 studies, being only one of them analyzed only gowns. The remainder investigated mainly the surgical fields together with the gowns. We can see thereby the difficulty in isolating the object of intervention from other countless factors that can influence outcomes, in studies of this nature. Two studies (E1, E2) found strong evidence of recommendation, concluding that there is no difference in terms of contamination and surgical wound infection between woven and non-woven gowns and drapes. Due to the absence of similar studies it is not possible to do some metanalysis. The isolated verification of surgical gowns needs more well controlled and delineated research. The contribution of this investigation to the implementation of practices based on evidences in showed relevant not only to answer specifically the question of research, but also to identify quality, gaps and flaws and recommend aspects to be considered in future research of this nature