The Journal of urology
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The Journal of urology · Oct 2006
Randomized Controlled TrialLaparoscopic decision making: impact of preoperative reading and laparoscopic experience.
A competent laparoscopic surgeon requires good technical skills and good surgical judgment. The assessment of technical skills using bench models and simulators has been well studied. However, there has been a paucity of studies examining the cognitive aspects of surgery. We developed a novel tool to assess the procedural knowledge and higher level decision making required for successful laparoscopic nephrectomy. We assessed the effect of laparoscopic experience and the effect of self-preparation or preoperative reading on surgical decision making abilities using a novel assessment tool and methodology. ⋯ Overall preoperative reading did not improve the surgical decision making rating scale. Novice procedural knowledge benefited from preoperative reading but not surgical judgment. The surgical decision making rating scale appears promising and it may have future implications for assessing surgical competency.
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The Journal of urology · Oct 2006
Randomized Controlled TrialCombination of oral tramadol, acetaminophen and 1% lidocaine induced periprostatic nerve block for pain control during transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy of the prostate: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial.
Prostate biopsy for diagnosing cancer can be painful. Tramadol is a centrally acting analgesic used to treat many pain disorders. We determined whether administering oral tramadol and acetaminophen combined with 1% lidocaine induced periprostatic nerve block would significantly decrease the pain experienced by patients during standard 10-core transrectal ultrasound guided needle biopsy of the prostate. ⋯ Administering 75 mg tramadol/650 mg acetaminophen orally with periprostatic 1% lidocaine before transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy is a safe, easy and effective method of controlling pain during the biopsy procedure.