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Browsing by Author "Sundaram, Chandru P."
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Item An Assessment Tool to Provide Targeted Feedback to Robotic Surgical Trainees: Development and Validation of the End-to-End Assessment of Suturing Expertise (EASE)(American Urological Association, 2022-11) Haque, Taseen F.; Hui, Alvin; You, Jonathan; Ma, Runzhuo; Nguyen, Jessica H.; Lei, Xiaomeng; Cen, Steven; Aron, Monish; Collins, Justin W.; Djaladat, Hooman; Ghazi, Ahmed; Yates, Kenneth A.; Abreu, Andre L.; Daneshmand, Siamak; Desai, Mihir M.; Goh, Alvin C.; Hu, Jim C.; Lebastchi, Amir H.; Lendvay, Thomas S.; Porter, James; Schuckman, Anne K.; Sotelo, Rene; Sundaram, Chandru P.; Gill, Inderbir S.; Hung, Andrew J.; Urology, School of MedicinePurpose: To create a suturing skills assessment tool that comprehensively defines criteria around relevant sub-skills of suturing and to confirm its validity. Materials and Methods: 5 expert surgeons and an educational psychologist participated in a cognitive task analysis (CTA) to deconstruct robotic suturing into an exhaustive list of technical skill domains and sub-skill descriptions. Using the Delphi methodology, each CTA element was systematically reviewed by a multi-institutional panel of 16 surgical educators and implemented in the final product when content validity index (CVI) reached ≥0.80. In the subsequent validation phase, 3 blinded reviewers independently scored 8 training videos and 39 vesicourethral anastomoses (VUA) using EASE; 10 VUA were also scored using Robotic Anastomosis Competency Evaluation (RACE), a previously validated, but simplified suturing assessment tool. Inter-rater reliability was measured with intra-class correlation (ICC) for normally distributed values and prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted Kappa (PABAK) for skewed distributions. Expert (≥100 prior robotic cases) and trainee (<100 cases) EASE scores from the non-training cases were compared using a generalized linear mixed model. Results: After two rounds of Delphi process, panelists agreed on 7 domains, 18 sub-skills, and 57 detailed sub-skill descriptions with CVI ≥ 0.80. Inter-rater reliability was moderately high (ICC median: 0.69, range: 0.51-0.97; PABAK: 0.77, 0.62-0.97). Multiple EASE sub-skill scores were able to distinguish surgeon experience. The Spearman’s rho correlation between overall EASE and RACE scores was 0.635 (p=0.003). Conclusions: Through a rigorous CTA and Delphi process, we have developed EASE, whose suturing sub-skills can distinguish surgeon experience while maintaining rater reliability.Item Comparison of Laparoscopy Training Using the Box Trainer Versus the Virtual Trainer(Society of Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgeons, 2010-04) Mohammadi, Yousef; Lerner, Michelle A.; Sethi, Amanjot S.; Sundaram, Chandru P.; Urology, School of MedicineBackground and Objectives: To evaluate whether training on a virtual reality laparoscopic simulator improves the performance on a laparoscopic box trainer. Methods: Twenty-six subjects were trained using a box trainer, and 17 participants were trained using a virtual simulator. Participants in the experimental group completed 1 session of 5 exercises on the box trainer, 4 sessions on the virtual simulator, and a final session on the box trainer. Participants in the control group completed 6 sessions of 5 exercises on the box trainer alone. Exercises were monitored and scored for time and accuracy. Participants completed a self-evaluation survey after each session and a user satisfaction questionnaire at the end of the training. Results: No significant difference existed between the 2 groups in improvement of accuracy. Pegboard time (P=0.0110) and pattern cutting time (P=0.0229) were the only exercise parameters that improved significantly more in the control group compared with the experimental group. The experimental group developed more interest in a surgical field as a result of their experience than the control group did (70.6% vs 53.8%, respectively). Conclusion: The virtual simulator is a reasonable alternative to the box trainer for laparoscopic skills training.Item Comparison of Robot-Assisted Nephrectomy with Laparoscopic and Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Nephrectomy(Society of Laparoscopic & Robotic Surgeons, 2010-07) Boger, Michelle; Lucas, Steven M.; Popp, Sara C.; Gardner, Thomas A.; Sundaram, Chandru P.; Urology, School of MedicineObjective: To compare the initial perioperative outcomes of our robot-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomies with laparoscopic and hand-assisted nephrectomies performed by 2 experienced laparoscopic surgeons. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated all patients who underwent laparoscopic (LN), hand-assisted (HALN), and robot-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy (RALN) for benign and malignant diseases between August 2006 and December 2008. Data collected included patient age, body mass index, operative times, estimated blood loss, complications, and hospital stay. Radical nephrectomy was performed for renal neoplasms, and simple nephrectomy was performed for suspected benign diseases. In addition, average direct costs and total costs were calculated for each laparoscopic approach. Results: Forty-six patients underwent LN, 20 underwent HALN, and 13 underwent RALN. The median operative time was 171, 210, and 168 minutes, respectively. LN, HALN, and RALN groups had similar median EBL [(100mL (IQR=113mL), 100mL (IQR=150mL), and 100mL (IQR=125mL); P=0.695], length of hospital stay [2.0d (IQR=1.0d), 3.0d (IQR=2.0d), and 2.0d (IQR=3.0d); P=0.233], and postoperative morphine equivalent analgesic requirements [33mg (IQR=43mg), 45mg (IQR=50mg), and 30mg (IQR=16mg); P=0.766]. Three patients (6%) in the LN group had complications, 2 (10%) in the HALN group had complications, and 4 (30%) in the RALN group had complications. The average total direct operating room costs were $5,500, $6,979, and $6,869 for the LN, HALN, and RALN groups, respectively. Conclusions: Early experience with robotic assistance for radical and simple nephrectomy offers no significant advantage over traditional laparoscopic or hand-assisted approaches. It was also more costly.Item Correcting the Shrinkage Effects of Formalin Fixation and Tissue Processing for Renal Tumors: toward Standardization of Pathological Reporting of Tumor Size(Ivyspring International Publisher, 2015-07-02) Tran, Thu; Sundaram, Chandru P.; Bahler, Clinton D.; Eble, John N.; Gringon, David J.; Monn, M. Francesca; Simper, Novae B.; Cheng, Liang; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, IU School of MedicineGiven the importance of correctly staging renal cell carcinomas, specific guidelines should be in place for tumor size measurement. While a standard means of renal tumor measurement has not been established, intuitively, tumor size should be based on fresh measurements. We sought to assess the accuracy of postfixation and microscopic measurements of renal tumor size, as compared to fresh measurements and radiographic size. Thirty-four nephrectomy cases performed by a single surgeon were prospectively measured at different time points. The study cases included 23 clear cell renal cell carcinomas, 6 papillary renal cell carcinomas, and 5 other renal tumors. Radiologic tumors were 12.1% larger in diameter than fresh tumors (P<0.01). Furthermore, fresh specimens were 4.6% larger than formalin-fixed specimens (P<0.01), and postfixation measurements were 7.1% greater than microscopic measurements (P<0.01). The overall mean percentage of shrinkage between fresh and histological specimens was 11.4% (P<0.01). Histological processing would cause a tumor stage shift from pT1b to pT1a for two tumors in this study. The shrinkage effects of formalin fixation and histological processing may result in understaging of renal cell carcinomas. The shrinkage factor should be considered when reporting tumor size.Item Delaying Cancer Cases in Urology during COVID-19: Review of the Literature(Wolters Kluwer, 2020-05-28) Tachibana, Isamu; Ferguson, Ethan L.; Mahenthiran, Ashorne; Natarajan, Jay P.; Masterson, Timothy A.; Bahler, Clinton D.; Sundaram, Chandru P.; Urology, School of MedicinePurpose: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic affecting hospital systems and the availability of resources for surgical procedures. Our aim is to provide guidance for urologists to help prioritize urologic cancer surgeries. Material and Methods: We reviewed published literature on bladder cancer, upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), penile cancer, testis cancer, prostate cancer, renal cancer, and adrenal cancer. Results: For muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), delays should be less than roughly 10 weeks and neoadjuvant chemotherapy should be considered. For non-MIBC, patients should be counseled appropriately based on risk and intravesical therapies can continue. UTUC should also be treated with minimal delays for high risk patients, especially with ureteral tumors. Surgery for T1 renal cancers when indicated can be delayed until adequate resources are available. Patients with T2 renal cancer should be considered for early surgery if there are unfavorable pre-operative characteristics. Higher stage renal tumors should be considered for early surgery. Early multi-disciplinary approach is recommended for metastatic renal cancers. High risk prostate cancer may need preferential treatment and consideration of neoadjuvant hormonal therapy. Penile cancer can have worse sexual or oncologic outcome with prolonged surgical delay. Likewise, adrenal cancer is aggressive and needs early surgical treatment. Testicular cancer should be treated in a timely manner with surgery or chemotherapy, as indicated. Conclusions: This review should further assist urologists in recognizing patients with potentially aggressive tumor biology that warrant early treatment.Item Delaying Cancer Cases in Urology during COVID-19: Review of the Literature. Reply.(AUA, 2021-05) Tachibana, Isamu; Sundaram, Chandru P.; Urology, School of MedicineItem Development and validation of an objective scoring tool to evaluate surgical dissection: Dissection Assessment for Robotic Technique (DART)(American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc., 2021) Vanstrum, Erik B.; Ma, Runzhuo; Maya-Silva, Jacqueline; Sanford, Daniel; Nguyen, Jessica H.; Lei, Xiaomeng; Chevinksy, Michael; Ghoreifi, Alireza; Han, Jullet; Polotti, Charles F.; Powers, Ryan; Yip, Wesley; Zhang, Michael; Aron, Monish; Collins, Justin; Daneshmand, Siamak; Davis, John W.; Desai, Mihir M.; Gerjy, Roger; Goh, Alvin C.; Kimmig, Rainer; Lendvay, Thomas S.; Porter, James; Sotelo, Rene; Sundaram, Chandru P.; Cen, Steven; Gill, Inderbir S.; Hung, Andrew J.; Urology, School of MedicinePurpose: Evaluation of surgical competency has important implications for training new surgeons, accreditation, and improving patient outcomes. A method to specifically evaluate dissection performance does not yet exist. This project aimed to design a tool to assess surgical dissection quality. Methods: Delphi method was used to validate structure and content of the dissection evaluation. A multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary panel of 14 expert surgeons systematically evaluated each element of the dissection tool. Ten blinded reviewers evaluated 46 de-identified videos of pelvic lymph node and seminal vesicle dissections during the robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Inter-rater variability was calculated using prevalence-adjusted and bias-adjusted kappa. The area under the curve from receiver operating characteristic curve was used to assess discrimination power for overall DART scores as well as domains in discriminating trainees (≤100 robotic cases) from experts (>100). Results: Four rounds of Delphi method achieved language and content validity in 27/28 elements. Use of 3- or 5-point scale remained contested; thus, both scales were evaluated during validation. The 3-point scale showed improved kappa for each domain. Experts demonstrated significantly greater total scores on both scales (3-point, p< 0.001; 5-point, p< 0.001). The ability to distinguish experience was equivalent for total score on both scales (3-point AUC= 0.92, CI 0.82-1.00, 5-point AUC= 0.92, CI 0.83-1.00). Conclusions: We present the development and validation of Dissection Assessment for Robotic Technique (DART), an objective and reproducible 3-point surgical assessment to evaluate tissue dissection. DART can effectively differentiate levels of surgeon experience and can be used in multiple surgical steps.Item Eye-Tracking Metrics Predict Perceived Workload in Robotic Surgical Skills Training(Sage, 2019) Wu, Chuhao; Cha, Jackie; Sulek, Jay; Zhou, Tian; Sundaram, Chandru P.; Wachs, Juan; Yu, Denny; Urology, School of MedicineObjective: The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between eye-tracking measures and perceived workload in robotic surgical tasks. Background: Robotic techniques provide improved dexterity, stereoscopic vision, and ergonomic control system over laparoscopic surgery, but the complexity of the interfaces and operations may pose new challenges to surgeons and compromise patient safety. Limited studies have objectively quantified workload and its impact on performance in robotic surgery. Although not yet implemented in robotic surgery, minimally intrusive and continuous eye-tracking metrics have been shown to be sensitive to changes in workload in other domains. Methods: Eight surgical trainees participated in 15 robotic skills simulation sessions. In each session, participants performed up to 12 simulated exercises. Correlation and mixed-effects analyses were conducted to explore the relationships between eye-tracking metrics and perceived workload. Machine learning classifiers were used to determine the sensitivity of differentiating between low and high workload with eye-tracking features. Results: Gaze entropy increased as perceived workload increased, with a correlation of .51. Pupil diameter and gaze entropy distinguished differences in workload between task difficulty levels, and both metrics increased as task level difficulty increased. The classification model using eye-tracking features achieved an accuracy of 84.7% in predicting workload levels. Conclusion: Eye-tracking measures can detect perceived workload during robotic tasks. They can potentially be used to identify task contributors to high workload and provide measures for robotic surgery training. Application: Workload assessment can be used for real-time monitoring of workload in robotic surgical training and provide assessments for performance and learning.Item Folate Receptor Beta Designates Immunosuppressive Tumor-Associated Myeloid Cells That Can Be Reprogrammed with Folate-Targeted Drugs(AACR, 2021-02) Cresswell, Gregory M.; Wang, Bingbing; Kischuk, Erin M.; Broman, Meaghan M.; Alfar, Rami A.; Vickman, Renee E.; Dimitrov, Dimiter S.; Kularatne, Sumith A.; Sundaram, Chandru P.; Singhal, Sunil; Eruslanov, Evgeniy B.; Crist, Scott A.; Elzey, Bennett D.; Ratliff, Timothy L.; Low, Philip S.; Urology, School of MedicineAlthough immunotherapies of tumors have demonstrated promise for altering the progression of malignancies, immunotherapies have been limited by an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) that prevents infiltrating immune cells from performing their anticancer functions. Prominent among immunosuppressive cells are myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) that inhibit T cells via release of immunosuppressive cytokines and engagement of checkpoint receptors. Here, we explore the properties of MDSCs and TAMs from freshly isolated mouse and human tumors and find that an immunosuppressive subset of these cells can be distinguished from the nonimmunosuppressive population by its upregulation of folate receptor beta (FRβ) within the TME and its restriction to the TME. This FRβ+ subpopulation could be selectively targeted with folate-linked drugs. Delivery of a folate-targeted TLR7 agonist to these cells (i) reduced their immunosuppressive function, (ii) increased CD8+ T-cell infiltration, (iii) enhanced M1/M2 macrophage ratios, (iv) inhibited tumor growth, (v) blocked tumor metastasis, and (vi) improved overall survival without demonstrable toxicity. These data reveal a broadly applicable strategy across tumor types for reprogramming MDSCs and TAMs into antitumorigenic immune cells using a drug that would otherwise be too toxic to administer systemically. The data also establish FRβ as the first marker that distinguishes immunosuppressive from nonimmunosuppressive subsets of MDSCs and TAMs. Because all solid tumors accumulate MDSCs and TAMs, a general strategy to both identify and reprogram these cells should be broadly applied in the characterization and treatment of multiple tumors.Item Identifying Preoperative Predictors of Operative Time and Their Impact on Outcomes in Robot-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy(Liebert, 2022-01) Krishnan, Naveen K.; Zappia, Jason; Calaway, Adam C.; Nagle, Ramzy T.; Sundaram, Chandru P.; Boris, Ronald S.; Urology, School of MedicineObjective: To identify preoperative characteristics in patients with renal masses that influence operative time during robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) and evaluate the relationship between operative time and length of stay (LOS), complication rates, and overall outcome. Materials and Methods: We queried our institutional database to identify a cohort of patients who underwent RAPN by two experienced robotic surgeons between 2012 and 2019. A multivariable regression model was developed to analyze operative time, LOS, and any grade complication within 30 days postoperatively using the bootstrap resampling technique. Results: A total of 392 patients were included. On multivariable analyses, prior abdominal surgery (p = 0.001) was associated with 22 minutes of increase in operating room time, as well as adhesive perirenal fat (22 minutes, p = 0.001). For each one unit increase in nephrometry score, there was a 4-minute increase in operating room time (p = 0.028), and for each one-cm increase in tumor size, there was an associated 12-minute increase in operating room time (p < 0.001). For each 1 year increase in age, there was an associated 0.024-day increase in LOS [odds ratio (OR) (0.013–0.035)]; in addition, for every one-cm increase in tumor size there was a 0.18-day associated increase in LOS [OR (0.070–0.28)]. Each 1-hour increase in operating room time was associated with a 0.25-day increased LOS [OR (0.092–0.41)]. Only tumor size was found to be associated with any grade complication. Conclusions: Patients with a history of abdominal surgery, larger complex tumors, and significant Gerota's fat undergoing robotic partial nephrectomy should anticipate longer operative times. Older patients with larger tumors and longer operative times can anticipate a longer LOS. Tumor size appears to be the common determinant of all three outcomes: operative time, LOS, and any grade Clavien complication.