Laparoscopic access, a critical yet challenging step in surgical procedures, often leads to complications. Existing systems, such as improved Veress needles and optical trocars, offer limited safety benefits but come with elevated costs. In this study, a prototype of a novel technology for guiding needle interventions based on vibroacoustic signals is evaluated in porcine cadavers. The prototype consistently detected successful abdominal cavity entry in 100% of cases during 193 insertions across eight porcine cadavers. The high signal quality allowed for the precise identification of all Veress needle insertion phases, including peritoneum puncture. The findings suggest that this vibroacoustic-based guidance technology could enhance surgeons’ situational awareness and provide valuable support during laparoscopic access. Unlike existing solutions, this technology does not require sensing elements in the instrument’s tip and remains compatible with medical instruments from various manufacturers.

Background: The severity of pectus excavatum is classified by the Haller Index (HI) and/or Correction Index (CI). These indices measure only the depth of the defect and, therefore, impede a precise estimation of the actual cardiopulmonary impairment. We aimed to evaluate the MRI-derived cardiac lateralization to improve the estimation of cardiopulmonary impairment in Pectus excavatum in connection with the Haller and Correction Indices. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included a total of 113 patients (mean age = 19.03 ± 7.8) with pectus excavatum, whose diagnosis was verified on cross-sectional MRI images using the HI and CI. For the development of an improved HI and CI index, the patients underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing to assess the influence of the right ventricle’s position on cardiopulmonary impairment. The indexed lateral position of the pulmonary valve was utilized as a surrogate parameter for right ventricle localization. Results: In patients with PE, the heart’s lateralization significantly correlated with the severity of pectus excavatum (p ≤ 0.001). When modifying HI and CI for the individual’s pulmonary valve position, those indices are present with greater sensitivity and specificity regarding the maximum oxygen-pulse as a pathophysiological correlate of reduced cardiac function (χ² 10.986 and 15.862, respectively). Conclusion: The indexed lateral deviation of the pulmonary valve seems to be a valuable cofactor for HI and CI, allowing for an improved description of cardiopulmonary impairment in PE patients.

Aim To evaluate testes after unilateral orchiopexy Laser Doppler and white light spectroscopy and compare microcirculation with contralaterat testis and healthy controls. Methods A combination of the laser Doppler (determination of blood flow) and white light spectroscopy (determination of oxygen saturation and hemoglobin amount) is used to determine microcirculation at two different depth levels non-invasively. Patients were recruited after unilateral orchiopexy. Controls were age-matched boys without relevant disease. Ethical approval was obtained. Results 99 patients were included after unilateral orchiopexy at the age of 3.5 years (+-2.9 years). 65% underwent surgery after their second birthday. Follow-up was at median 2.5 years after surgery (3months – 10.5 years). Controls were 29 boys at the age of median 6.3 years (3 month–13 years). There was no significant difference in age between both groups. 85 patients were examined on the operated side with laser doppler and white light spectroscopy. Significant higher flow and velocity were found contralateral (p=0.041, p=0.022). Surprisingly, when comparing the contralateral testes in patients after orchiopexy with healthy controls, flow and velocity were significantly higher in the healthy controls (p<0.001), even though this testis was previously not operated on. Conclusion After orchiopexy, expected differences were found in microcirculation between the operated and contralateral testes or healthy controls. Surprisingly, the contralateral testes’ microcirculation was also significantly different from controls. This is probably not a consequence of surgery alone, but more likely a common problem of both testes in the affected patients.

About 50 % of complications during laparoscopy occur when surgical access is created. The Veress needle and proposed technical alternatives do not provide reliable information to support the surgeons in guiding the needle, or the feedback is not clearly perceivable. Based on acoustic emissions, Surgical Audio Guidance (SURAG) proposes a non-invasive and efficient way to enhance the perception of guidance information through acoustic and visual feedback displayed in real-time. This article demonstrates that the developed feedback matches the information about tissue layer crossings provided by force measurements. This indicates that SURAG can provide an effective means to make laparoscopic access more precise and safe, especially in pediatric surgery, where space for placing the needle is minimal.

Introduction Congenital anomalies play an important role in infant mortality worldwide. The present study aims to present the current data on the prevalence rates and the 1-year survival rates for selected major congenital anomalies in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Materials and Methods The data were collected systematically by the Malformation Monitoring Centre Saxony-Anhalt. Cohort from 2000 to 2017 was retrospectively analyzed to determine the prevalence rates and the survival rates of nine major congenital anomalies. The survival analysis was conducted, including all pregnancy outcomes and various risk factors. Results In total, 1,012 cases of the selected congenital anomalies were registered. The total prevalence rates ranged from 2.5 (congenital diaphragmatic hernia [CDH]) to 5.8 (spina bifida [SB]) per 10,000. The live birth prevalence was lower. In total, 88.3% of live-born cases survived the first year. The 1-year survival rate of all cases, including fetal losses, was merely 61.7%. There was no continual improvement in survival during the study period noted. The 1-year survival rate was 35.7% for “genetic” malformations, 57.6% for “multiple congenital anomalies,” and 68.6% for “isolated” cases, with 44.6% for prenatally detected anomalies and 85.2% for postnatally identified anomalies. Gestational age less than 31 weeks and birth weight below 1,000 g affected the survival rate adversely. Conclusion The survival rate of infants suffering from congenital anomalies in Saxony-Anhalt is comparable to that reported by national and international studies. Registering all pregnancy outcomes irrespective of whether they result in a live birth, stillbirth, or fetal loss in a malformation register seems to be important as it affects the statistical survival analysis in general.

Background and Objectives: A topic of greatinterest in the surgical field comprises cost and time reduction operative techniques with high efficiency rates. Thus, the aim of this paper is to evaluate whether a transection of the appendix using only a laparoscopic LigaSure™ device is feasible and, if so, which size of the laparoscopic device is optimal. Materials and Methods: Appendectomy specimens were sealed and cut using LigaSure^TM V (5 mm) and LigaSure Atlas^TM (10 mm) devices ex vivo. Analysis criteria included handling, resistance to bursting pressure of the appendicular stump (adequacy), eligibility, durability and airtightness. Results: Twenty sealed areas were measured. While the 5 mm instrument was not able to transect the appendix in one attempt in any of the cases, the 10 mm device could be applied successfully without any handling difficulties. The adequacy of the sealed area was rated as complete and dry in all 10 cases using the 10 mm device and as oozing in 8 of the cases using the 5 mm device. There was no leakage in terms of air and liquid tightness using the 10 mm device, in contrast to six sealed segments with air and liquid leakage when using the 5 mm device. The resistance to bursting pressure was on average 285 mmHg and 60.5 mmHg with the 10 mm and 5 mm devices, respectively. The durability and eligibility of the 10 mm device were rated as very sufficient in 9 of 10 cases (1 perforation) in contrast to the 5 mm device, where the sealing in 9 of 10 cases was not sufficient (9 perforations). Conclusions: Using the 10 mm laparoscopic LigaSure™ device for the transection of the appendix seems to be feasible, safe and resistant to 300 mmHg bursting pressure. The 5 mm LigaSure™ instrument is inadequate to seal the appendix in humans.