Scand J Surg
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Comparative Study
Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma in patients with confirmed liver lesions.
The objective was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) in patients with confirmed liver lesions and also to compare results from surgeons trained in FAST with results from radiologists trained in general abdominal ultrasound as part of the specialist training. Explorative laparotomy or CT served as gold standard. ⋯ FAST remains an important screening tool in abdominal trauma including liver lesions, and can be performed at a satisfactory level by surgeons trained in the FAST procedure only.
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Observational Study
Preoperative predictors for good postoperative satisfaction and functional outcome in lumbar spinal stenosis surgery--a prospective observational study with a two-year follow-up.
Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is the most frequent indication for back surgery in adults aged over 65 years, but about one-third of operated patients have less than good/excellent results from the operation. Awareness of outcome predictors and their predictive values may help clinicians in their assessment of the prognosis of patients when considering surgical treatment. Our aim was to study the preoperative predictors in LSS for a good postoperative outcome (satisfaction with surgery and functional improvement) with a two-year follow-up. ⋯ In LSS, regular analgesic treatment preoperatively for 12 months or less, self-rated health above average and non-smoking predicted a good postoperative functional improvement. An age under 75 years and no previous lumbar operation predicted good post-operative satisfaction with the surgery.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Impact of perceptual ability and mental imagery training on simulated laparoscopic knot-tying in surgical novices using a Nissen fundoplication model.
Performing minimally invasive surgery requires training and visual-spatial intelligence. The aim of our study was to examine the impact of visual-spatial perception and additional mental training on the simulated laparoscopic knot-tying task performed by surgical novices. ⋯ Visual-spatial intelligence tested by a cube test correlated with simulated laparoscopic knot-tying skills in surgical novices. Additional mental practice did not improve the overall knot-tying performance. Further studies are therefore required to determine whether mental practice might be beneficial for experienced laparoscopic surgeons or for more complex tasks.