Biomedical subjects

Houssam Farres

Publications and source records attributed to Houssam Farres.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Validation of a flexible endoscopy simulator.

BACKGROUND: Virtual reality (VR) simulation is a rapidly proliferating adjunct of surgical training. Numerous devices have evolved as educational tools in a variety of fields. Whether these tools can be used for validation of physicians' skills has yet to be determined. The objective of this study was to determine whether the GI Mentor (Simbionix, Lod, Israel) flexible endoscopy simulator construct could distinguish experienced endoscopists from beginners. METHODS: Seventy-five surgical attendings, fellows, and residents were recruited for participation in the study. Two cohorts were used and these groups were selected from 2 separate scientific sessions. Participants completed a standardized questionnaire documenting their endoscopic training and experience. Physicians subsequently were designated as experienced or beginner after their endoscopic training and experience were evaluated. All participants completed 1 of 2 colonoscopic simulations. The GI Mentor objectively evaluated performance on the basis of programmed data points, including the time to reach the cecum, the percentage of mucosa visualized, the completed polypectomy rate, the percentage of time spent in clear view through the lumen, the percentage of time that the patient was in pain, and overall efficiency. RESULTS: In both simulations, experienced endoscopists were more efficient than beginners (.32%/s vs. .26%/s, P=.02; and .53%/s vs. .37%/s, P=.03) and achieved a greater polypectomy rate (78% vs. 43%, P=.03; and 87% vs. 48%, P=.01). Furthermore, experienced endoscopists visualized more of the colonic surface (86% vs. 82%, P=.02) and spent a greater proportion of the time in clear view of the lumen (55% vs. 47%, P=.05) than beginners completing the first simulation. In the second simulation, experienced participants reached the cecum more rapidly than beginners (175 vs. 262 s, P=.01). CONCLUSIONS: The G1 Mentor VR colonoscopy construct appears valid. Significant performance differences were shown between the experienced and beginner cohorts. The beginner participants in this study were all physicians with some degree of endoscopic experience. Therefore, the G1 Mentor distinguished endoscopists of varying experience and exposure. Further validation studies are needed to evaluate the breadth of programs inherent to this simulator and to determine whether it may be used in the future for qualification and certification purposes.

Clinical Competence↗

PubMed2004

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy: a cost analysis of three approaches.

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) is the current standard for treatment of benign adrenal disease and is performed more often now in the setting of malignant disease. Three surgical approaches, the lateral transperitoneal technique, the lateral retroperitoneal technique, and the posterior technique are utilized commonly. While advantages of each approach are advocated, a cost analysis is not available. This article analyzes the operating costs of the three approaches. The operative costs of 51 unilateral LA at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation from 1998 to 2002 were analyzed for comparison. Patients were grouped according to one of the three laparoscopic approaches--transperitoneal (group A), lateral retroperitoneal (group B), and posterior (group C). For each group, n=17. Perioperative characteristics and operative cost were analyzed. The groups were compared using single factor ANOVA analysis. Significance was assigned for P<0.05. The average costs of unilateral LA were $2,885, $3,219, and $2,850 for groups A, B, and C, respectively (P=0.20). Differences were not statistically significant. Six bilateral procedures were performed. There were no significant differences for these six cases. However, the cohort was too small for an appropriate power analysis. LA is commonly performed utilizing one of three surgical approaches. Our data demonstrates no significant difference in operative cost between the respective techniques. Operative costs should not be a factor in choosing a laparoscopic approach for unilateral adrenal disease.

Adrenal Gland Diseases↗

PubMed2004

Management of splenic abscess in a critically ill patient.

Because of the increased number of immunocompromised patients within the general population, the incidence of splenic abscesses has increased over the last decade. This cohort of immune-deficient patients with splenic abscesses engenders a distinct evolution in the pathogenesis and microbiology of the disease process. Moreover, the morbidity and mortality rates for splenic abscesses are increased in this unique population. Clinically, these patients do not have a characteristic presentation. Diagnostically, computed tomography of the abdomen is the test of choice. Antibiotics and splenectomy remain the standard of care in most clinical settings. However, percutaneous drainage is reported with solitary and unilocular abscesses and in poor operative candidates. An unusual case of a patient with a splenic abscess awaiting heart transplantation is presented. This patient was successfully treated with percutaneous drainage and antibiotics. The literature regarding the presentation, diagnosis, pathogenesis, and treatment of splenic abscesses is reviewed as well.

Abscess↗

PubMed2004

A novel endolaparoscopic intragastric partitioning for treatment of morbid obesity.

Morbid obesity is a burgeoning health crisis. Significant morbidity is associated with the current gastric bypass, and, therefore, alternative surgical modalities are desired. A novel minimally invasive surgical technique, endoluminal gastric partitioning, is presented. Ten mongrel dogs underwent endolaparoscopic placement of intragastric mesh. Each circular prosthesis (Surgisis or prolene mesh) was 8 cm in diameter with a 1.5 cm central aperture. The mesh was passed transorally into the gastric lumen and secured with a laparoscopic, intragastric suturing resulting in a 30 to 50 mL proximal gastric reservoir. The operation was successfully completed in all 10 animals. Nine of 10 animals were healthy at the scheduled sacrifice date. In 2 dogs, the intragastric mesh was 100% adherent to the gastric mucosa after 7 days. Four of the final 5 dogs demonstrated some degree of mucosal adherence after 1 week. Endoluminal placement of intragastric mesh appears feasible and safe. Long-term studies are necessary to demonstrate the efficacy and long-term weight loss of this, or alternate intraluminal gastric partitioning techniques.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Mucosal apposition in endoscopic suturing.

BACKGROUND: The proliferation of minimally invasive surgery has led to the development of numerous entirely intracorporeal endoscopic suturing techniques. These techniques allow for simple apposition of the GI mucosa. It is yet to be determined whether this results in long-term mucosal apposition. This study was designed to determine whether the current techniques of endoscopic suturing necessitate preliminary mucosal manipulation. METHODS: Seven dogs underwent laparotomy and gastrotomy to expose the proximal gastric mucosa. Three different suturing techniques were used to appose adjacent tissue folds: simple mucosal apposition, electrosurgical mucosal ablation before closure, and mucosal resection before closure. Apposition sites were scored histologically, based on tissue healing after 2 weeks. RESULTS: Mucosal ablation before tissue apposition resulted in significantly greater healing compared with simple apposition and resulted in histologic scoring similar to that for mucosal resection. The mean histologic score after ablation was 1.5, vs. 1.25 after mucosal resection, and 0.9 for sites closed simply (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic suturing techniques may one day offer an alternative to surgical treatment in the management of numerous GI conditions. As this modality evolves, the incorporation of target tissue ablation or mucosal resection before tissue apposition requires consideration. Human studies evaluating the safety and long-term efficacy of these modifications are necessary.

Animals↗