Digital learning resources are in increasing demand, especially in the light of the planned reform of the medical licensing regulations for 2028. In a pilot project, we digitised and evaluated a logbook for students in their practical year (PJ).The aim of this study is to evaluate the digital and non-digital PJ logbooks.Based on a printed PJ logbook, a digital PJ logbook was developed as a web app. The implementation was performed using the commercial enterprise knowledge management system Confluence (Atlassian Corporation, Sydney, Australia), which allows responsive design, integration with the university's user directory, and incorporation of corporate design. Student satisfaction (n = 34) was assessed using questionnaires and a 5-level Likert scale. Additionally, students self-assessed their skills at the beginning and end of the rotation before (n = 49) and after (n = 34) the introduction of the digital logbook by grade points.The majority of students found the digital logbook to be an intuitive and a valuable addition. In the stationary setting, the introduction of the digital logbook led to a significant improvement in self-assessed skills by 0.73 grade points at the beginning (p < 0.001) and 0.78 grade points at the end of the rotation (p < 0.001). In the operating theatre, there was only a significant improvement of 0.47 grade points at the beginning of the rotation (p = 0.027).The evaluation demonstrates that the digital PJ logbook is well-received by students and significantly improves their self-assessed skills. The observed increase in self-assessed skills could be attributed to the introduction of the digital logbook and its contents, although other factors, such as the engagement of the instructors, cannot be excluded. Future modifications are planned to make the logbook more appealing.

The aim of this work is to investigate the ergonomic load on the surgical team during open, laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgical procedures.Employees of the Salzburg State Hospitals (SALK) were invited to take part in a standardised online survey in December 2023. The extent and differences in psychophysical stress for the individual professional groups and specialists were examined for different surgical procedures.64/111 (57.7%) of all invited employees took part in the study, of whom 30 (46.9%) were male and 34 (53.1%) female. For the majority, working in the operating theatre (OT) was physically stressful, and more than 60.9% of those surveyed had to seek medical help or take painkillers. The most commonly affected areas of the body are the back and neck, and 17.2% of respondents believe they were likely to have to retire early. Despite the physical strain, the majority enjoyed working in the OT. For 61.9%, robotic surgery was perceived as being the least physically demanding. Significant differences in psychophysical stress and preferences for the different types of operations were evident in gender, age groups, professional groups, specialist areas, years of work in the operating theatre and biometric data.The results could be used to initiate targeted measures to promote health and employee satisfaction and to carry out appropriate training.

A 60-year-old female patient was referred for further diagnosis and treatment of a posterior mediastinal lesion. The lesion was incidentally discovered in a CT scan of the chest and abdomen, which had been performed due to an increased CA 19-9 in routine blood tests. At the time point of the referral, the lesion had already been biopsied twice (CT guided and through EUS) but the histopathology was inconclusive. Upon referral, we repeated the CT guided biopsy and the transoesophageal ultrasound. The latter did not reveal any invasion of the oesophagus. Both biopsies were inconclusive again. We discussed thoracoscopic exploration with the patient. The procedure began with a right uniportal VATS. The lesion originated in the right lower lobe. After dissection of the lesion from the right lower lobe and its adhesions to the diaphragm, the lesion was mobilised from the mediastinal adhesions. A supplying vessel from the descending aorta was ligated and the patient was turned in order to continue the procedure from the left side. During the left sided thoracoscopy, the lesion was dissected from the diaphragm and the descending aorta. There was no invasion of the lung on the left side. The lesion was pulled through the mediastinum between the aorta and the oesophagus and was successfully extracted through the left uniportal incision. The histopathological report revealed extralobar pulmonary sequestration.

A planned ventral hernia after open abdomen therapy is a rare hernia entity because the fascial closure rate has been increased due to established concepts for open abdominal treatment. Nevertheless, fascial closure is not always successful, and a planned ventral hernia has to be treated later. Preoperative optimisation and planning are essential for such challenging abdominal wall repairs.In a single centre retrospective analysis, all incisional hernias from 2013 to 2023 (n = 632) were identified and planned hernias after a laparostomy were selected (n = 11). The data on surgical management were obtained from the patient files for the operation reports. Literature search was conducted with PubMed (Medline).In all cases a physical examination, abdominal sonography, CT abdomen and a colonoscopy were carried out preoperatively. The median size of the abdominal wall defects were horizontally 13 cm (6-35 cm) and vertically 18 cm (10-28 cm). Botulinum toxin A has been used preoperatively since 2018. Median fascial closure was successful intraoperatively in all 11 patients. The surgical techniques included sublay, IPOM, sandwich technique, intraoperative fascial traction, and component separation.Planned ventral hernias after open abdomen treatment should always be considered complex hernias for which the entire expertise in hernia surgery is required. Comprehensive preoperative optimisation with botulinum toxin A infiltration is essential to facilitate anatomically appropriate reconstruction through midline closure with mesh augmentation.

Hernia surgery has evolved in recent years through the implementation of newer minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques. Moreover, abdominal wall reconstruction for abdominal wall hernias has increased in complexity, due to a peri- and intraoperative strategy for expansion. Perioperative management in this area is also determined by Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathways to improve peri- and postoperative outcomes after hernia surgery. This article aims to assess the influence of individual factors in the multimodal ERAS concept on outpatient and inpatient hernia repair and abdominal wall reconstruction, on the basis of current studies.

The rapid development of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and robot-assisted surgery (RAS) requires standardized training to ensure high-quality patient care. In Germany, there is currently a lack of a standardized curriculum that teaches these specialized skills. The aim of this study is to find a consensus for the development of a nationwide curriculum for MIS and RAS with the subsequent implementation of the consented content.A modified Delphi process was used to reach consensus among national experts in MIS and RAS. The process included a literature review, an online survey and an expert conference.All 12 invited experts participated in the survey. They primarily achieved consensus on 73% and secondarily within the expert conference on 95 out of 122 questions (77.9%). The preference for a basic curriculum as a foundation on which specialized modules can build on was particularly clear. The results support the development of an integrated curriculum for MIS and RAS that includes step-by-step training from theoretical knowledge via e-learning modules to practical skills in dry lab simulations and in the OR. Emphasis was placed on the need to promote clinical judgment and decision making through targeted assessment during the learning curve to ensure effective application of learned skills in clinical practice. There was also a consensus that training content must be aligned with learners' skill acquisition using objective performance assessments in line with the principle of proficiency-based progression (PBP). The continuous updating of the curriculum to keep it up to date with the latest technology was considered essential.The study underlines the urgent need for a standardized training curriculum for MIS and RAS in Germany in order to increase patient safety and improve the quality of surgical care. There is broad expert consensus for the implementation of such a curriculum. It aims to ensure a contemporary and internationally competitive uniform quality of training and to increase the attractiveness of surgical training.

Hybrid DRG is a new form of remuneration in the German healthcare system. Selected OPS codes apply to all sectors, which, in combination with a specified ICD, result in a flat fee, regardless of whether the patient is managed as an outpatient or inpatient. This new form of billing has a huge impact on hospitals. The revenue situation is significantly worse than under the previous form of billing and requires adjustments at the locations. If these changes are not made, supply would be demonstrably deficient. Therefore, increased outsourcing to an outpatient setting is necessary. The advantages are the efficient use of staff and a structured selection of patients. Ideally, outpatient surgical units have an advantage here, but outpatient paths can also be created via separate areas in the central operating theatre. Using the example of inguinal hernia, over 50% of patients can be treated on an outpatient basis if selection is optimised. The disadvantage of this form of billing is the necessary financial reserve for innovations, training and the use of expensive operational aids. With the addition of incisional hernias to the hybrid catalogue in 2025, future care will become more cost-oriented.

Sleeve lobectomy or resection with pulmonary artery reconstruction is a technique that allows for resection of locally advanced central lung carcinoma, preserving lung function, and is associated with lower morbidity and mortality than pneumonectomy. This survey aimed to assess the long-term survival comparing different types of sleeve lobectomy and identify risk factors affecting survival.All consecutive patients who underwent anatomical resection for primary non-small cell lung cancer with bronchial sleeve or pulmonary artery reconstruction in our department between September 2003 and September 2021 were included in this study. Cases with carinal sleeve pneumonectomy were excluded. Data were evaluated retrospectively.Bronchial sleeve resection was performed in 227 patients, double sleeve resection in 67 patients, and 45 cases underwent isolated lobectomy with pulmonary artery reconstruction. The mean follow-up was 33.5 months. The 5-year survival was 58.5% for patients after bronchial sleeve, 43.2% after double sleeve, and 36.8% after resection with vascular reconstruction. The difference in overall survival of these three groups was statistically significant (p = 0.012). However, the UICC stage was higher in cases with double sleeve resection or resection with vascular reconstruction (p = 0.016). Patients with lymph node metastases showed shorter overall survival (p = 0.033). The 5-year survival rate was 60.1% for patients with N0 and 47% for patients with N1 and N2 status. Induction therapy, vascular sleeve resection, and double sleeve resection were independent adverse predictors for overall survival in multivariate analysis.Sleeve lobectomy and resection with vascular reconstruction are safe procedures with good long-term survival. However, double sleeve resection and vascular sleeve resection were adverse predictors of survival, possibly due to a higher UICC stage in these patients.

Central pancreatectomy is an excellent alternative to left pancreatectomy for symptomatic benign or premalignant lesions of the pancreatic body or tail. A key advantage of this technique lies in the preservation of pancreatic parenchyma, resulting in a lower rate of postoperative diabetes mellitus. However, this procedure requires more complex reconstruction, which in turn is associated with an increased risk of morbidity.Insulinoma in the pancreatic body.Robot-assisted central pancreatectomy with pancreaticojejunostomy using a modified Blumgart technique.Central pancreatectomy is a generally rare and challenging pancreatic procedure, but clearly plays a significant role in modern pancreatic surgery due to its functional advantages. When appropriate and technically feasible, central pancreatectomy should be preferred to the alternative of left pancreatectomy and whenever possible, performed minimally invasively.

With the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, restrictions and challenges for elective and emergency vascular surgery as well as worse outcomes were reported. This study aims to compare our single-centre experience with carotid artery surgery during the pandemic and previous years.Our retrospective analysis included all consecutive patients undergoing carotid surgery for symptomatic and asymptomatic stenosis between January 2017 and December 2021. Caseload, operation specific parameters, and demographic data as well as in-hospital outcome were compared during the COVID-19 pandemic versus previous years.A total of 623 consecutive patients were included. The caseload comparison showed an average of 112 carotid artery surgeries per adjusted year (March 16th to December 31st) from 2017 to 2019, prior to the pandemic. The caseload reduction in the first year of the pandemic (2020) was 36.6% (n = 71) and 17.9% (n = 92) in the second year (2021). No rebound effect was observed. There was no significant difference (p = 0.42) in the allocation of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (asymptomatic patients: 37.1% prior vs. 40.8% during the pandemic; symptomatic patients: 62.9 vs. 59.2%). Major adverse event rates in years prior to the pandemic were postoperative bleeding requiring revision: n = 31 (7.1%); stroke in symptomatic patients: n = 9 (3.3%) and stroke in asymptomatic patients: n = 4 (2.5%); symptomatic myocardial infarction (MCI): n = 1 (0.2%); death: n = 2 (0.5%). During the pandemic, major adverse event rates were postoperative bleeding requiring revision: n = 12 (6.5%); stroke in symptomatic patients: n = 1 (0.9%), stroke in asymptomatic patients: n = 1 (1.3%); symptomatic MCI: n = 1 (0.5%); death: n = 1 (0.5%).Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, there has been a significant reduction in carotid artery surgery performed both in symptomatic as well as in asymptomatic patients. There was no worsening of the outcome of carotid surgery performed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this remained safe and feasible.

Non-intubated minimally invasive lung surgery garnered renewed interest during the past decade and many centers across the country successfully implemented the technique for minor procedures like pleurodesis or wedge resection. Anatomical lung resection under spontaneous breathing still is considered as challenging, and as existing data to support it is conflicting and confusing, the approach remains limited to few dedicated outfits. We seek to present the historical perspective, critically report potential advantages and limitations of the technique and hand out a guideline that might prove to be helpful in building up a dedicated program.