http://sri.sagepub.com Surgical Innovation RSS feed -- OnlineFirst Articles Surgical Innovation 1553-3506 http://sri.sagepub.com:80/icons/banner/title.gif http://sri.sagepub.com http://sri.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/1553350609348298v1?rss=1 Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) fellowship training on the fellows’ clinical practice as well as former fellows’ perception of their fellowship experience. Methods: A survey composed of 50 multiplechoice questions was e-mailed to 268 former MIS fellows who began a fellowship in the United States between 2000 and 2005. E-mail addresses were obtained from Covidien, an industry sponsor of MIS fellowships. Results: The response rate was 30%. The most frequent reason for choosing an MIS fellowship was to enhance laparoscopic skills (34%). A total of 85% believed that an MIS fellowship provided an edge on referral of advanced laparoscopic procedures. In all, 75% indicated that their fellowship was extremely beneficial, and 86% would recommend their former fellowship to future applicants. Conclusion: The majority of respondents felt that their MIS fellowship experience was beneficial and had a positive impact on their laparoscopic knowledge base, skills, referrals, and career. ]]> Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:21:02 PDT info:doi/10.1177/1553350609348298 2009-10-13 Article http://sri.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/1553350609339168v1?rss=1 In this study, the authors present a technical tip for better and easier visualization of rectourethral fistula both during dissection and fistula closure. In this technique, a small-caliber ureteral catheter is used for catheterization of the fistulous tract under direct urethroscopic guidance. Five cases were treated using this technique. All cases had either brachytherapy as a monotherapy or combined brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy. All cases had the fistula completely healed except for one failed case that had a 2-cm fistula. ]]> Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:29:14 PDT info:doi/10.1177/1553350609339168 2009-07-03 Article