Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2012

Mentor:           David Schindel, MD             
Department:               Pediatric Surgery
Room number:           CMC B 3350
Mail Code:                 CMC B3250
Phone number:          214-456-6045
E-mail:                        David. Schindel@childrens.com
Project title:                A prospective study on Effect of Laparoscopic vs. Open colon procedures on psychosocial development and self esteem in children and adolescents.

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):       IRB 082011-060 (Pending)

Project Type  Patient Based Research

Brief Description of Project:  Development of minimal access surgical techniques has had proven benefit in terms of reduced hospital stay, post-operative pain, and wound infection rates.  There may be additional benefits in pediatric patients who are still developing their self esteem and psychological identity.  The presence and/or extent of the surgical scar has been shown to impact self esteem.  There may be a benefit to the scars associated with minimal access techniques for the self esteem and psychosocial development of children and adolescent patients who have undergone operations on the colon. Subjects between 5 and age 20 years who will undergo an operation on the colon by either an traditional open or a minimal access technique will be asked to complete a questionnaire designed to assess the effect of their illness and body habitus on their self-esteem and psychosocial well being.  Students will help the research team survey the research subjects, collect and analyze the data and have the opportunity to observe the care and treatment required for  this specific disease process.   

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:
Current member of the student advisory board
Brahmamdam, P, Schindel, D , Routine Hospital Admission following Successful Air Contrast Enema Reduction of Ileocolic Intussusception May not Be Necessary, presented Feb 2012, North Texas Academic Surgical Congress

Owusu-Brackett, N., Schindel, D, Outcomes of fetuses with airway obstruction managed by the EXIT procedure at an Urban Community Publically Funded County Institution.  presented Feb 2012, North Texas Academic Surgical Congress