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Background Postoperative peritoneal adhesions form in 63–97% of patients, give rise to subsequent adhesion related problems and create a considerable socioeconomic burden. In the present study, a local artificial atmosphere was created around the abdominal cavity during a surgical procedure in an effort to reduce postoperative adhesion formation. Methods Forty-eight Wistar male rats (Clr:WI) were randomized into two groups and weighed about 280 grams each. The abdominal cavities of the rats of the study group were exposed to warm and humidified air (21% O 2 , 37 °C, 95–100% relative humidity (RH)) during an open surgical procedure, while the rats of the control group were exposed to the air from the operating theatre (21% O 2 , 21 °C, 40–47% RH). The surgical procedure consisted of a midline laparotomy, four cuts and ischaemic knots in the anterior abdominal wall and blood from the tail vein dripped into the abdominal cavity. The abdominal cavity was assessed for adhesion formation and the bacterial load (CFU/ml) was measured. Results Significant differences in mean total adhesion, severity, tenacity scores and in the mean rank of the extent scores were found ( p 0.001 ). Also, significant differences in the median numbers of CFU/ml on chocolate agar and blood agar were found ( p 0.001 ). Conclusions Rats in the study group had higher total adhesion, extent, severity and tenacity scores postoperatively compared to rats in the control group. A possible reason could be the observed higher bacterial load amongst the rats of the study group compared to the rats of the control group.

Background: A high level of psychomotor skills is required to perform minimally invasive surgery (MIS) safely. To be able to measure these skills is important in the assessment of surgeons, as it enables constructive feedback during training. The aim of this study was to test the validity of an objective and automatic assessment method using motion analysis during a laparoscopic procedure on an animal organ. Material and methods: Experienced surgeons in laparoscopy (experts) and medical students (novices) performed a cholecystectomy on a porcine liver box model. The motions of the surgical tools were acquired and analyzed by 11 different motion-related metrics, i.e., a total of 19 metrics as eight of them were measured separately for each hand. We identified for which of the metrics the experts outperformed the novices. Results: In total, two experts and 28 novices were included. The experts achieved significantly better results for 13 of the 19 instrument motion metrics. Conclusions: Expert performance is characterized by a low time to complete the cholecystectomy, high bimanual dexterity (instrument coordination), a limited amount of movement and low measurement of motion smoothness of the dissection instrument, and relatively high usage of the grasper to optimize tissue positioning for dissection. This is an [Accepted Manuscript] of an article published by Taylor & Francis in [Minimally Invasive Therapy & Allied Technologies ] on [08 Feb 2017], available at http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13645706.2017.1284131. Locked until 8.2.2018 due to copyright restrictions.

A high level of psychomotor skills is required to perform minimally invasive surgery (MIS) safely. To assure high quality of skills, it is important to be able to measure and assess these skills. For that, it is necessary to determine aspects that indicate the difference between performances at various levels of proficiency. Measurement and assessment of skills in MIS are best done in an automatic and objective way. The goal of this study was to investigate a set of nine motion-related metrics for their relevance to assess psychomotor skills in MIS during the performance of a labyrinth task. Thirty-two surgeons and medical students were divided into three groups according to their level of experience in MIS; experts (>500 MIS procedures), intermediates (31–500 MIS), and novices (no experience in MIS). The participants performed the labyrinth task in the D-box Basic simulator (D-Box Medical, Lier, Norway). The task required bimanual maneuvering and threading a needle through a labyrinth of 10 holes. Nine motion-related metrics were used to assess the MIS skills of each participant. Experts (n = 7) and intermediates (n = 14) performed significantly better than the novices (n = 11) in terms of time and parameters measuring the amount of instrument movement. The experts had significantly better bimanual dexterity, which indicated that they made more simultaneous movements of the two instruments compared to the intermediates and novices. The experts also performed the task with a shorter instrument path length with the nondominant hand than the intermediates. The surgeon’s performance in MIS can be distinguished from a novice by metrics such as time and path length. An experienced surgeon in MIS can be differentiated from a less experienced one by the higher ability to control the instrument in the nondominant hand and the higher degree of simultaneous (coordinated) movements of the two instruments.

In natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), procedures are performed with an endoscope passed through a natural orifice. One of the most important factors that will determine the future of transgastric NOTES is obtaining a reliable closure of the access site. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of transgastric closure using the over-the-scope clip (OTSC) system or T-bar sutures. We performed a survival study that included 15 pigs. A standardized transgastric approach to the peritoneal cavity and a peritoneoscopy were performed. The gastrotomy was closed using the OTSC system or T-bar sutures. The gastrotomy closure was tested for leaks with the methylene blue test. All animals were observed for 2 weeks before they were sacrificed and necropsy was performed. Histopathological examination of tissue samples retrieved from the access sites was performed. There were no perioperative complications. The methylene blue test did not demonstrate any leakage of fluid. Necropsy after 2 weeks confirmed completeness of gastric closure in all animals with full-thickness healing and no spillage of gastric contents into the peritoneal cavity. No differences between the OTSC system and T-bar sutures were observed. We observed no differences between the efficacy and safety of the OTSC system and those of T-bar sutures used in closing gastric incisions in NOTES. Both methods are safe and effective.

Summary Background Tape blisters are common in orthopaedic patients. The method used for covering the surgical field may be an independent risk factor for the development of blisters. Methods The present randomised clinical trial was conducted to compare two different methods of draping at hip replacement surgery. Patients were randomized to receive the standard or the new procedure. Presence of tape blisters after surgery along with their number, size and location was recorded for 100 patients. Results Tape blisters developed in 30% of the patients. Women were more likely to develop tape blisters compared to men (38.6% vs. 18.6%; p =0.03). Age, surgical procedure, operating time, BMI, nutritional status, smoking history, medication, comorbidity and type of surgical incision were not significantly associated with the risk of developing tape blisters. Tape blisters were more common amongst patients treated according to the standard method (35.5% vs. 24.5%; p =0.24). However, this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion Women are more likely to develop tape blisters after hip surgery than men. The method used for draping might be an important factor in the development of tape blisters. Further research is required.

Urinary incontinence is a multi-factorial condition that has a high impact on older persons living in nursing homes. While urinary incontinence is common, only a small percentage of nursing home residents have an official diagnosis. Factors influencing urinary incontinence in this population are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of urinary incontinence in Norwegian nursing home residents and to study the factors associated with urinary incontinence in this population. Residents from six different nursing homes were included in this study. Data on sex, age, medication, comorbid illnesses, urinary incontinence and the use of absorbent pads was collected. Barthel`s Index of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) was used to estimate residents’ functional levels. Post-voiding residual urine was measured by means of a portable ultrasound. A questionnaire was completed by the nursing staff for each of the residents. In total, 173 residents participated in the study. One hundred and twenty-two residents (69%) were incontinent for urine and 144 used absorbent pads (83%). Fourteen percent of residents used absorbent pads ‘just to make sure’. They did not have a history of urinary incontinence. Low ADL score, dementia and urinary tract infection were significantly associated with incontinence for urine. The prevalence of urinary incontinence in Norwegian nursing homes is high. Absorbent products are frequently used without a history of urinary incontinence. Physical impairment, dementia and urinary tract infections are significantly associated with urinary incontinence.

The overall aim of this thesis was to get an overview over different dysfunction in the lower urinary tract in the elderly. Also, we wanted to describe the perceptions and barriers that influence the nursing staff`’s ability to provide appropriate incontinence care in nursing home residents. The thesis includes one quantitative study (paper I, II, III), and one qualitative study (paper IV). Paper I was a cross-sectional study. Paper II and III were a prospective surveillance with a follow-up period of 1 year. 183 residents from six Norwegian nursing homes participated. In paper I, the prevalence of urinary incontinence in Norwegian nursing home residents was evaluated. The factors possibly associated with urinary incontinence were also studied. In paper II, we investigated whether residual urine was a risk factor for developing urinary tract infections in the elderly in nursing homes. In paper III, the objective was to determine whether pads per day usage is a reliable measure of urinary incontinence in nursing home residents. Furthermore, we wanted to study the association between urinary tract infections, pads per day usage and fluid intake. In the qualitative study, the aim was to identify perceptions and barriers that influence the ability of nursing staff to provide appropriate incontinence care. Five charge nurses, five registered nurses and five certified nursing assistants participated in the focus group interviews.The analysis in paper I, showed that 122 (69 %) of the resident were incontinent for urine and 144 used absorbent pads (83 %). 14 % of residents used absorbent pads ‘just to make sure’. They did not have a history of urinary incontinence. Low ADL score, dementia and urinary tract infection were significantly associated with incontinence for urine (P =

Bariatric surgery is a highly effective treatment of type 2 diabetes in patients with morbid obesity. The weight-loss independent improvement of glycemic control observed after these procedures has led to the discussion whether bariatric surgery can be introduced as treatment for type 2 diabetes in patients with a body mass index

among nursing home residents. Urinary incontinence in older people has a multifactorial etiology and is therefore more difficult to assess and treat than uri- nary incontinence in younger people. Previous re- search has shown that incontinence care in nursing home residents often is inadequate and little systema- tized. The aim of this study was to identify percep- tions and barriers that influence the ability of the nursing staff to provide appropriate incontinence care. This was a qualitative study using focus-group meth- odology. Data were collected from three focus-group interviews with 15 members of the nursing staff from six different units in a nursing home. The focus-group interviews were recorded on tape, transcribed verba- tim and analyzed according to qualitative content analysis. Three topics and eight categories were iden- tified. The first topic, Perceptions and barriers associ- ated with residents, consisted of one category: "phy- sical and cognitive problems". The second topic, Per- ceptions and barriers associated with nursing staff, consisted of three categories: "lack of knowledge", "attitudes and beliefs" and "lack of accessibility". The third topic, Perceptions and barriers associated with organizational culture, consisted of four cate- gories: "rigid routines", "lack of resource", "lack of documentation" and "lack of leadership". The find- ings from this study show that there are many barri- ers that might influence the possibilities of nursing staff to provide appropriate incontinence care to re- sidents in nursing homes. However, it can neverthe- less seem like opinions and the attitude of nursing staff, together with a lack of knowledge about UI, are the most important barriers to provide appropriate incontinence care.

Background: The main objective of the present study was to determine whether UI is an independent predictor of ADL decline and IADL decline in elderly women. We also aimed to find out whether incontinent subjects were at higher risk of needing help from formal home care or home nursing care during 11 year follow-up. Methods: A prospective cohort study conducted as part of the North-Trøndelag Health Study 2 and 3. Women aged 70–80 years when participating in the HUNT 2 study, who also participated in the HUNT 3 study, were included in this study. Analyses on self-reported urinary incontinence at baseline and functional decline during a 11-year period were performed for incontinent and continent subjects. Results: Baseline prevalence of urinary incontinence was 24%. At on average eleven year follow up, logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between incontinence and decline in activities of daily living (ADL) (OR =2.37, 95% CI =1.01-5.58) (P=0.04). No association between urinary incontinence and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) in incontinent women compared with continent women was found (OR=1.18, CI=.75-1.86) (P=.46). Data were adjusted for ADL, IADL and co morbid conditions at baseline. No significant differences in need of more help from formal home care and home nursing care between continent and incontinent women were found after 11 years of follow-up. Conclusions: Urinary incontinence is an important factor associated with functional decline in women aged 70–80 years living in their own homes. At eleven years of follow up, no significant differences in need of more help from formal home care and home nursing care between continent and incontinent women were found publishedVersion

BackgroundAdhesion formation is a major problem following abdominal surgery as it creates a considerable economic burden in addition to an increased risk for complications. In the present study, an effort was made to reduce post-operative adhesion formation by creating an artificial atmosphere within and around the abdominal cavity during an open surgical procedure.Methods82 Wistar male rats (Clr:WI) (200 gr, 7 weeks) were randomized into two groups. The abdominal cavity of the control group was exposed to the normal atmosphere of the operating-theatre during surgery (21% O2, 21 °C, 40–47% relative humidity (RH)), while the abdominal cavity of the study group was exposed to an artificial atmosphere during surgery (3–6% O2, >75% CO2, 95–100% RH, 37 °C). Adhesion induction consisted of a laparotomy along linea-alba, four lesions in the anterior abdominal-wall, blood from the tail vein dripped inside the abdominal cavity and exposure to the atmosphere around the wound by use of self-retaining retractors. In addition, a liquid-sample for quantitative bacteriologic cultivation and bacterial load (CFU/ml) calculation was taken just before closure. After 3 weeks the abdominal cavity was scored for the extent, tenacity and severity of adhesions before the rats were euthanized. The two-sample-Wilcoxon-rank-sum test was used in the analysis.ResultsHighly significant differences in postoperative total adhesion score, extent-, severity- and tenacity-score were found (P 0.05).ConclusionsThe rats exposed to the warmed and humidified artificial atmosphere consisting of more than 75% carbon dioxide and 3–4% oxygen during surgery had more severe and more post-operative adhesions compared to the rats that were exposed to the ambient air during surgery.

Surgeons performing laparoscopy need a high degree of psychomotor skills, which can be trained and assessed on virtual reality (VR) simulators. VR simulators simulate the surgical environment and assess psychomotor skills according to predefined parameters. This study aimed to validate a proficiency-based training setup that consisted of two tasks with predefined threshold values and handles with haptic feedback on the LapSim® VR simulator. The two tasks have been found to have construct validity in previous studies using handles without haptic feedback. The participants were divided into three groups: novices (0–50 laparoscopic procedures), intermediates (51–300 laparoscopic procedures), and experts (more than 300 procedures). It was assumed that psychomotor skills increase with experience. All participants conducted the tasks lifting and grasping and fine dissection 20 times each. Validity of the training setup was investigated by comparing the number of times each participant passed a predefined threshold level for a set of 19 parameters. Construct validity was established for one parameter; “misses on right side” on the lifting and grasping task, whereas the other 18 parameters did not show construct validity. The setup employed in this study failed to establish construct validity for more than one parameter. This indicates that the simulation of haptic feedback influences the training performance on laparoscopic simulators and is an important part of validating a training setup. A haptic device should generate haptic sensations in a realistic manner, without introducing frictional forces that are not inherent to laparoscopy.

Background: many elderly suffer from urinary incontinence and use absorbent pads. Pad use per day (PPD) is a frequently used measure of urinary incontinence. Nursing home residents are often dependent on help from nursing staff to change pads. This study was performed in order to determine whether PPD is a reliable method to quantify urinary incontinence in nursing home residents. Furthermore, the association between urinary tract infections (UTIs), PPD and fluid intake was studied. Methods: data were retrieved from a multicentre, prospective surveillance among nursing home residents. Data on the use of absorbent pads, fluid intake and incontinence volumes were collected during 48 h. During a 1-year follow-up period, data on UTIs were collected. Results: in this study, 153 residents were included, of whom 118 (77%) used absorbent pads. Residents who used absorbent pads were at increased risk of developing UTIs compared to residents who did not use pads (41 vs 11%; P = 0.001). Daily fluid intake was not associated with UTIs (P = 0.46). The number of pad changes showed no correlation with the risk of developing UTIs (P = 0.62). Patients with a given PPD presented a wide range of incontinence volumes. Conclusion: the use of absorbent pads is associated with an increased risk of developing UTIs. PPD and daily fluid intake are not correlated with the risk of developing UTIs. PPD is an unreliable measure of urinary incontinence in nursing home residents.

Background Although minimally invasive surgery has been accepted for a variety of disorders, laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer is performed by few. Concern about oncological radicality and long term outcome has limited the adoption of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer. Objectives To determine long-term outcome after laparoscopically-assisted versus open surgery for non-metastasised colorectal cancer. Search methods The Cochrane library, EMBASE, Pub med and Cancer Lit were searched for published and unpublished randomised controlled trials. Selection criteria Randomised clinical trials comparing laparoscopically-assisted and open surgery for non-metastasised colorectal cancer were included. Studies that did not report any long-term outcomes were excluded. Data collection and analysis Two reviewers independently assessed the studies and extracted data. RevMan 4.2 was used for statistical analysis. Main results Thirty-three randomised clinical trials (RCT) comparing laparoscopically-assisted versus open surgery for colorectal cancer were identified. Twelve of these trials, involving 3346 patients, reported long-term outcome and were included in the current analysis. No significant differences in the occurrence of incisional hernia, reoperations for incisional hernia or reoperations for adhesions were found between laparoscopically assisted and open surgery (2 RCT, 474 pts, 7.9% vs 10.9%;P = 0.32 and 2 RCT, 474 pts, 4.0% vs 2.8%; P = 0.42 and 1 RCT, 391 pts, 1.1% vs 2.5%;P = 0.30, respectively). Rates of recurrence at the site of the primary tumor were similar (colon cancer: 4 RCT, 938 pts, 5.2% vs 5.6%; OR (fixed) 0.84 (95% CI 0.47 to 1.52)(P = 0.57); rectal cancer: 4 RCT, 714 pts, 7.2% vs 7.7%; OR (fixed) 0.81 (95% CI 0.45 to 1.43) (P = 0.46). No differences in the occurrence of port-site/wound recurrences were observed (P=0.16). Similar cancer-related mortality was found after laparoscopic surgery compared to open surgery ( colon cancer: 5 RCT, 1575 pts, 14.6% vs 16.4%; OR (fixed) 0.80 (95% CI 0.61 to 1.06) (P=0.15); rectal cancer: 3 RCT, 578 pts, 9.2% vs 10.0%; OR (fixed) 0.66 (95% CI 0.37 to 1.19) (P=0.16). Four studies were included in the meta-analyses on hazard ratios for tumour recurrence in laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery. No significant difference in recurrence rate was observed between laparoscopic and open surgery (hazard ratio for tumour recurrence in the laparoscopic group 0.92; 95% CI 0.76-1.13). No significant difference in tumour recurrence between laparoscopic and open surgery for colon cancer was observed (hazard ratio for tumour recurrence in the laparoscopic group 0.86; 95% CI 0.70-1.08). Authors' conclusions Laparoscopic resection of carcinoma of the colon is associated with a long term outcome no different from that of open colectomy. Further studies are required to determine whether the incidence of incisional hernias and adhesions is affected by method of approach. Laparoscopic surgery for cancer of the upper rectum is feasible, but more randomised trials need to be conducted to assess long term outcome.

Summary Background The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate long-term outcome of laparoscopically assisted versus open surgery for non-metastasised colorectal cancer. Methods Cochrane library, EMBASE, Pub med and CancerLit were searched for published and unpublished randomised controlled trials. RevMan 4.2 was used for statistical analysis. Results Twelve trials (3346 patients) reported long-term outcome and were included in the current analyses. No significant differences were found between laparoscopic and open surgery in the occurrence of incisional hernias or the number of reoperations for adhesions ( p =0.32 and 0.30, respectively). Port-site metastases and wound recurrences were rare and no differences in occurrence after laparoscopic and open surgery were observed ( p =0.16). Cancer-related mortality at maximum follow-up was similar after laparoscopic and open surgery ( p =0.15 and 0.16 for colon and rectal cancer, respectively). No significant difference in tumour recurrence after laparoscopic and open surgery for colon cancer was observed (3 RCTs, hazard ratio for tumour recurrence in the laparoscopic group 0.86; 95% CI 0.70–1.08). In colon cancer patients, no significant differences in overall mortality were found (2 RCTs, hazard ratio for overall mortality after laparoscopic surgery 0.86; 95% CI 0.86–1.07). Conclusions Laparoscopic resection of carcinoma of the colon is associated with a long-term outcome that is similar to that after open colectomy. Laparoscopic surgery for cancer of the upper rectum is feasible, but more randomised trials need to be conducted to assess long-term outcome.

In Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES), the procedures are performed through natural body openings, such as the mouth, vagina, urtehra and anus. By avoiding skin incisions, it is possible to prevent scars, hernias and wound infections. NOTES in humans should at this point in time only be performed within approved clinical studies.