Background: Anastomotic suturing is the Achilles heel of pancreatic surgery. Especially in laparoscopic and robotically assisted surgery, the pancreatic anastomosis should first be trained outside... Show moreBackground: Anastomotic suturing is the Achilles heel of pancreatic surgery. Especially in laparoscopic and robotically assisted surgery, the pancreatic anastomosis should first be trained outside the operating room. Realistic training models are therefore needed. Methods: Models of the pancreas, small bowel, stomach, bile duct, and a realistic training torso were developed for training of anastomoses in pancreatic surgery. Pancreas models with soft and hard tex-tures, small and large ducts were incrementally developed and evaluated. Experienced pancreatic sur-geons (n = 44) evaluated haptic realism, rigidity, fragility of tissues, and realism of suturing and knot tying. Results: In the iterative development process the pancreas models showed high haptic realism and highest realism in suturing (4.6 & PLUSMN; 0.7 and 4.9 & PLUSMN; 0.5 on 1-5 Likert scale, soft pancreas). The small bowel model showed highest haptic realism (4.8 & PLUSMN; 0.4) and optimal wall thickness (0.1 & PLUSMN; 0.4 on -2 to +2 Likert scale) and suturing behavior (0.1 & PLUSMN; 0.4). The bile duct models showed optimal wall thickness (0.3 & PLUSMN; 0.8 and 0.4 & PLUSMN; 0.8 on -2 to +2 Likert scale) and optimal tissue fragility (0 & PLUSMN; 0.9 and 0.3 & PLUSMN; 0.7). Conclusion: The biotissue training models showed high haptic realism and realistic suturing behavior. They are suitable for realistic training of anastomoses in pancreatic surgery which may improve patient outcomes. Show less
Background: The aim of this survey was to assess practices regarding pain management, fluid therapy and thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy on a global basis. Methods:... Show moreBackground: The aim of this survey was to assess practices regarding pain management, fluid therapy and thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy on a global basis. Methods: This survey study among surgeons from eight (inter)national scientific societies was performed according to the CHERRIES guideline. Results: Overall, 236 surgeons completed the survey. ERAS protocols are used by 61% of surgeons and respectively 82%, 93%, 57% believed there is a relationship between pain management, fluid therapy, and thromboprophylaxis and clinical outcomes. Epidural analgesia (50%) was most popular followed by intravenous morphine (24%). A restrictive fluid therapy was used by 58% of surgeons. Chemical thromboprophylaxis was used by 88% of surgeons. Variations were observed between con-tinents, most interesting being the choice for analgesic technique (transversus abdominis plane block was popular in North America), restrictive fluid therapy (little use in Asia and Oceania) and duration of chemical thromboprophylaxis (large variation). Conclusion: The results of this international survey showed that only 61% of surgeons practice ERAS protocols. Although the majority of surgeons presume a relationship between pain management, fluid therapy and thromboprophylaxis and clinical outcomes, variations in practices were observed. Additional studies are needed to further optimize, standardize and implement ERAS protocols after pancreatic surgery. Show less
