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G Champault

Publications and source records attributed to G Champault.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

[Variations in intraperitoneal temperature during laparoscopic cholecystectomy].

STUDY AIM: The aim of this study was to measure thermal variation during laparoscopy in the vicinity of heat sources such as monopolar (MC), bipolar (BC) and ultrasound coagulation (USC) and to evaluate their possible negative consequences for the patient. METHODS: This study included 67 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The temperature measurements were taken with a sterile thermal probe introduced through a 5 mm trocar, coupled with a recording monitor reading variations between 20 degrees and 80 degrees C. The variation in temperature was measured as a function of the power applied to the electrodes (20 or 30 W) and in relation to the distance (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 cm) from the electrodes. RESULTS: The temperature varied by 3 degrees for BC, 29 degrees for MC and only 0.2 degree for USC when the distance increased for 1 to 5 cm. Depending on the power delivered, (20 or 30 W or 1 to 5 for USC), the variations were 1 degree for BC, 17 degrees for MC and there was still no variation for USC. CONCLUSION: The use of bipolar coagulation and ultrasonic coagulation associated with minimal temperature variations is the option of choice for operating near structures such as the common bile duct or the gastrointestinal tract.

Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic↗
PubMed2000

[Laparoscopic splenectomy for hematologic diseases. Study of 275 cases. French Society of Laparoscopic Surgery].

AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the results of laparoscopic splenectomy for hematologic diseases by a multicenter retrospective study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1991 and 1998, 275 patients (mean age: 40.4 years [18-93]) underwent splenectomy for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) (n = 209, 76%), for hemolytic anemia (HA) (n = 37) including hereditary spherocytosis (n = 13) and auto-immune anemia (n = 24), lymphoma (n = 12), tumor (n = 6) and uncommon hematologic syndromes (n = 11). Laparoscopic splenectomy was attempted in every patient. The lateral approach was most commonly used with an anterior approach to the splenic hilar vessels, which were cut after hemostasis using a stapling gun; other techniques were also employed. RESULTS: The mean operating time was 165 minutes (45-360); it was shorter in the case of conversion (144 minutes) and became shorter with the operator's experience. Conversion was necessary in 55 patients (20%), due to hemorrhage in 2/3 of cases, related to splenic vessels (20 cases), short gastric vessels (9 cases), or injury of the spleen (8 cases). In ten cases (2%), conversion was necessary for extraction of the spleen. Conversion rate varied from 5.3 to 46.7%, depending on the surgical team. Univariate analysis of factors predisposing to conversion identified four causes: obesity; technique used to achieve hemostasis of the splenic hilar vessels; operator's experience; and presence of splenomegaly. An accessory spleen was found in 44 patients (16%). The weight of the spleen was more than 350 g in 43 patients (15.6%). There were no deaths. There were no significant complications in 236 patients (85.8%) and the mean hospital stay was 6.4 days. In comparison with patients who had a conversion, bowel function returned significantly earlier, use of analgesia was reduced and hospital stay was shorter. The overall morbidity rate was 13.8% (n = 38); morbidity rate was only 10.4% (n = 22) for laparoscopic splenectomy. In these 22 patients, the complications were: subphrenic collections (n = 5, 2.2%), abdominal wall infections (n = 5), thromboembolic events (n = 2), anemia (n = 2), pneumonia (n = 1), peptic ulcer (n = 1), bowel obstruction (n = 1), splenic vein thrombosis (n = 1). Re-operations were required in 4 patients (1.8%) because of hemorrhage, pancreatitis and bowel obstruction. Morbidity rate was significantly increased in the case of conversion (27%), obesity (20%), malignant disease (30%) and splenomegaly (21.8%). Forty-four patients (16%) received perioperative or postoperative blood transfusion and 23 (8.3%) received platelet transfusion. Mean time to return to normal activity was 21 days and was shorter in the absence of conversion (18.5 days versus 35 days). In patients with ITP, the mean platelet count was 240,000 after 3 months, and the failure rate was 8.3%. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic splenectomy is a real alternative to conventional splenectomy for some hematologic diseases, particularly ITP and HA. The advantages are an uneventful postoperative course, a lower morbidity rate, a shorter hospital stay and an earlier return to normal activity. The limits of this technique are related to the operator's experience, the size of the spleen, the nature of the underlying disorders and patient characteristics, mainly obesity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Laparoscopic treatment of perforated duodenal ulcers. Results of a retrospective multicentric study. French Society of Laparoscopic Surgery].

STUDY AIM: The aim of this multicentric retrospective study was to report procedures, mortality and morbidity rate in a series of patients operated on for perforated duodenal ulcer with a laparoscopic approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Four-hundred and nineteen patients from 18 centers were included. The duration of the study was ten years (1990 to 1999). There were 299 men and 120 women aged from 19 to 98 years (mean: 48 years). The ASA scores were as follows: I (48.7%), II (31.3%), III (17.5%), IV (2.5%). The mean duration between the onset of perforation and the time of operation was 13.4 hours (range: 1-70). The surgical procedures were suture (76.7%), epiploplasty (9.9%), only irrigation of the abdominal cavity (2.7%). RESULTS: Conversion into laparotomy was performed in 10.6% of the patients. Mean operative time was 85 minutes. The morbidity and mortality rates were 13.4 and 1.4% respectively. Seventeen patients were reoperated because of fistula (n = 5), intra-abdominal abscess (n = 5), small bowel obstruction (n = 4), bleeding ulcer (n = 1), iatrogenic perforation of the gallbladder (n = 1) and small bowel (n = 1). Mean hospital stay was 8.5 days. All patients were discharged with a medical treatment of the peptic ulcer disease and in most of the cases, with antibiotics for Helicobacter pylori eradication. Six patients out of 96 with a medical history of chronic peptic ulcer underwent a vagotomy. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic repair of perforated duodenal ulcer is a safe option providing low rates of morbidity, reoperation and mortality, and can be considered the treatment of choice.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Laparoscopic ultrasound of the liver.

OBJECTIVE: Despite recent advances in medical imaging, pre-operative evaluation of liver tumors, whether benign or malignant, is often lacking in accuracy and precision. With the development of surgical laparoscopy, the benefits of diagnostic laparoscopy have been combined with those of operative ultrasound. This article aims to describe the technique of laparoscopic ultrasound of the liver, and to define its applications and the role of its association with diagnostic laparoscopy in the localization and assessment for resectability of liver tumors. METHODS: After an initial visual inspection with the laparoscope, laparoscopic ultrasound is utilized to further examine the liver. This relies largely on recognition of branches of the portal vein and tributaries of the hepatic veins. During this procedure, the hepatic parenchyma is also examined. Minimal displacement of the transducer, using clockwise and anti-clockwise rotatory movements, allows a full exploration of the liver. RESULTS: The combination of visual with sonographic laparoscopy allows accurate localization of benign and malignant hepatic tumors, as well as ultrasound-guided biopsies of these. Laparoscopic ultrasound can detect small lesions previously unseen by pre-operative imaging techniques. The relationship of tumors to adjacent blood vessels can be defined. Portal vein thrombosis can be diagnosed. CONCLUSION: Curability and liver tumor resectability can be determined and the appropriate surgical treatment thus planned.

Biopsy↗
PubMed2000

Epstein-Barr virus and gastric carcinoma in Western patients: comparison of pathological parameters and p53 expression in EBV-positive and negative tumours.

AIMS: The presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was studied in 56 gastric carcinomas from Western patients by in-situ hybridization for EBV-encoded RNAs (EBER). EBV-positive and negative carcinomas were compared for various pathological parameters including p53 overexpression. METHODS AND RESULTS: EBERs transcripts were detected in seven cases overall: four cases of 52 conventional carcinomas (7. 7%) and three cases of four gastric carcinomas with lymphoid stroma (75%). EBER positivity was diffuse in five cases and restricted to a localized area of the tumour in two cases of conventional carcinoma. A monoclonal EBV genomic pattern was demonstrated in the case tested by Southern blot analysis. By immunohistochemical analysis, neither EBV latent or lytic cycle proteins nor C3d/EBV receptor were expressed by neoplastic cells. EBER positivity was significantly correlated with prominent lymphoid reaction (P = 0.0002) which was associated with numerous PS100-positive dendritic cells and with HLA-DR expression by tumour cells (P = 0.03). p53 immunoreactivity in more than 30% of tumour cells was detected in 25 out 49 EBV-negative cases and was absent in EBV-positive cases except in one case with focal EBER-positivity. CONCLUSIONS: Focal staining for EBER is an unusual finding in the setting of gastric carcinoma and these results suggest that there might be two types of EBV-associated gastric carcinoma in which the viral infection will play a different role. The presence of a stromal lymphoid reaction which is strongly correlated with EBV positivity, is associated with antigen-presenting ability by HLA-DR-positive tumour cells or abundant dendritic cells. The function of p53 appears preserved in all EBV-associated carcinomas except in one case with focal EBER expression whereas the immunohistochemical pattern of p53 is suggestive of a mutational phenomenon in 51% of EBV-negative cases.

Female↗
PubMed2000

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery: comparative study of Nissen, Nissen-Rossetti, and Toupet fundoplication. Société Française de Chirurgie Laparoscopique.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the results of Nissen, Nissen-Rossetti, and Toupet laparoscopic fundoplication in terms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). METHODS: From 1992 to 1996, 1,470 laparoscopic fundoplications were performed using one of three procedures: Nissen (n = 655), Nissen-Rossetti (n = 423), and Toupet (n = 392). Preoperative checkup included esophagogastroduodenoscopy in 1,437 patients (97. 7%), esophageal manometry in 934 patients (63.5%), and 24-h pH-metry in 799 patients (54.3%). The results were estimated at 1 month, 3 months, and 2 years. Patients unable to visit the hospital center were contacted by telephone. RESULTS: The three groups were quite similar regarding demographic data such as age, gender, preoperative clinical symptoms, and duration of GERD. One death (0.07%) occurred. At 3 months, there were no differences among the three groups concerning conversion, morbidity, dysphagia, early reintervention, or postoperative length of stay. The length of surgery was more important in the Toupet procedure. In the Nissen group, there were fewer Visick grade I patients but more Visick grade III patients. At 2 years, the recurrence and reintervention rates were similar. The overall residual severe dysphagia rate was 0.35% (n = 5). In the Nissen group, there were fewer Visick grade I patients but more in Visick grade II patients. There was no difference in Visick grade III and IV among the groups. More than 90% of the patients were satisfied (Visick I + Visick II), with no significant difference among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study do not differ significantly from the data reported in the literature, suggesting such surgical techniques are effective and well tolerated, and that both can be properly used in the treatment of GERD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Thromboembolism prophylaxis and incidence of thromboembolic complications after laparoscopic surgery.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the clinical thrombo-embolic risk in laparoscopic digestive surgery. METHODS: The study prospectively included 2384 patients, who underwent laparoscopic surgery between June 1992 and June 1997. All patients received peri-operative low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) thromboprophylaxis. This regimen was administered until the patient resumed normal ambulatory activity. RESULTS: Eight cases (0.33%) of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) were observed, but no pulmonary embolism was noted. In 6 cases (5 cholecystectomies with reverse Trendelenburg position and 1 inguinal hernia repair), the pneumoperitoneum was more than 2 h, and in 2 cases (1 rectopexy and 1 sigmoid colectomy for diverticulitis), more than 3 h. In 6 out of the 8 cases, the diagnosis of DVT was established after cessation of LMWH delivery, after the patients were discharged home, and before post-operative day 10. CONCLUSION: During laparoscopic surgery, long operations and reverse Trendelenburg position are potentiating factors to DVT. Heparin prophylaxis for laparoscopic procedures should continue at least until discharge, and continued prophylaxis after discharge should only be considered in individual patients at continued high risk. We also recommend using graduated compression stockings, maintaining a relatively low insufflation pressure, keeping use of the reverse Trendelenburg position to a minimum, and intermittently releasing the pneumoperitoneum in longer procedures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Intraperitoneal thermal variations during laparoscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to measure thermal variations during laparoscopy in the vicinity of heat sources such as monopolar (MC) and bipolar coagulation (BC) and to evaluate their possible negative consequences for the patient. METHODS: This study included 43 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The temperature measurements were taken with a sterile thermal probe (Mallinkrot Medical) introduced through a 5-mm trocar coupled with a recording monitor reading variations between 20 and 80 degreesC. The variation in temperature was measured as a function of the power applied to the electrodes (20 or 30 W) and in relation to the distance (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 cm) from the electrodes. RESULTS: The temperature varied by 3 degrees for BC and 29 degrees for MC when the distance increased from 1 to 5 cm. With respect to the power delivered, 20 or 30 W, the variations were 1 degrees for BC and 17 degrees for MC. CONCLUSIONS: The minimal temperature variations associated with the use of BC makes it the option of choice for operating near structures such as the common bile duct or the gastrointestinal tract.

Body Temperature↗
PubMed1999

The use of diagnostic laparoscopy supported by laparoscopic ultrasonography in the assessment of pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic resection with curative intent is possible in a select minority of patients with carcinomas of the pancreatic head. Diagnostic laparoscopy supported by laparoscopic ultrasonography combines the proven benefits of staging laparoscopy with high-resolution intraoperative ultrasound, thus allowing the surgeon to perform a detailed assessment of the pancreatic cancer. METHODS: In a prospective study of 26 patients with obstructive jaundice from a carcinoma of the head of the pancreas, the curative resectability of tumors was assessed by ultrasound (26 cases), computerized tomography (26 cases), endoscopic ultrasound (16 cases), and a combination of diagnostic laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasound (26 cases). RESULTS: The findings of ultrasound and computerized tomography were comparable: 50% of patients were excluded from curative resection. Endoscopic ultrasound provided precise information on the primary tumors. The accuracy of the combined diagnostic laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasound, when compared with ultrasound, computerized tomography, and endoscopic ultrasound, was better with respect to minute peritoneal or hepatic metastasis: 80.7% (or a further 30.7%) of patients did not qualify for curative resection. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic laparoscopy supported by laparoscopic ultrasonography enables detection of previously unsuspected metastases; thus, needless laparotomy can be avoided. It should therefore be considered the first step in any potentially curative surgical procedure.

Endosonography↗
PubMed1999

Autopsy can be performed laparoscopically.

A case of laparoscopic autopsy for unexplained inpatient death is reported. The procedure is minimally invasive, easy to perform, accurate, and not disfiguring, rendering it easy to accept among mourning families.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Laparoscopic fundoplication for gastro-esophageal reflux. Multicenter study of 1,470 cases].

STUDY AIM: The aim of this multicenter retrospective study was to evaluate the immediate and 2-year results of the laparoscopic fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1992 to 1996, 1,470 laparoscopic fundoplications were performed for symptomatic GERD. Preoperative workup included upper GI tract endoscopy in 1,437 patients (97.7%), 24-hour pHmetry in 799 patients (54.3%) and esophageal manometry in 934 patients (63.5%). Four procedures were performed: Nissen, Nissen-Rossetti, Toupet and Toupet with cardiopexy. The results were estimated at 1 month and 3 months. The patients were examined or called 2 years after surgery in order to evaluate the functional results with Visick classification. RESULTS: Mean length of hospital stay was 4.6 days (range 2-48 days). Morbidity and mortality rates were 3.2% (47 patients) and 0.07% (1 patient) respectively. Conversion rate into laparotomy was 6.5% (96 patients). After 3 months, 87 patients (5.9%) had severe dysphagia and 91.9% of the patients were satisfied. At 2 years, 78 patients (5.6%) had a clinical recurrence. Five patients (0.35%) had a persistent dysphagia, 90 patients (6.5%) had secondary side effects; 38 patients had been reoperated; 92.7% of the patients were satisfied. There was no significant difference between the results of the four procedures, 3 months and 2 years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic fundoplication for treatment of GERD is a safe and effective procedure; 92.7% of the patients were satisfied 2 years after surgery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Systematic peroperative cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy].

STUDY AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of routine intra operative cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and to evaluate its impact in the detection of common bile duct stones or iatrogenic bile duct injuries. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From January 1991 to January 1999, 1,050 patients (mean age: 52.5 years) with symptomatic or complicated cholelithiasis were operated on laparoscopically. Intraoperative cholangiography was attempted in all patients before cholecystectomy, performed with an ureteral catheter (diameter: 5 F) introduced into the cystic duct under control of intensifier screen. In case of detection of common bile duct stones (CBDS) or bile duct injury, a surgical management was routinely attempted laparoscopically. RESULTS: Cholangiography was successfully performed in 840 cases (82.4%). The mean duration of this examination was 15 min (7-45). The success rate was significantly higher in patients with uncomplicated cholelithiasis (90.4%), compared to patients with acute cholecystitis (61.9%) (p = 0.01). The failure rate decreased with experience, falling from 23% for the first 100 attempts to 1% for the last 100. CBDS were identified in 62 patients (7.4%) in 18% of those with acute cholecystitis and 4.6% of those with uncomplicated cholelithiasis. In 21 cases (33%), there were no predictive factors to suggest CBDS. There were 8 false positive (0.9%). Among the 6 cases of bile duct injury observed in this series (0.57%), four patients had an intraoperative cholangiography and the injury was diagnosed peroperatively in two patients and immediately repaired. There was no postoperative death in this series. CONCLUSIONS: Routine intraoperative cholangiography appears to be the best method for the detection of common bile duct stones and improves prognosis of bile duct injuries when they are immediately detected and peroperatively repaired.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Ultrasonographic laparoscopy of the liver].

SITUATION: In spite of recent progress in medical imagery, the findings of preoperative investigations of the liver are not always accurate and precise. Since the development of surgical laparoscopy, advantages of the laparoscopic examination are associated with advantages of laparoscopic ultrasonography. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work is to report the technique of staging laparoscopy with laparoscopic contact ultrasonography in the intraoperative assessment of patients with liver tumors, and to analyse its impact on the selection of patients for hepatic resection with curative intent. METHODS: The basic exploration follows at first portal branches and then hepatic veins. During the course of vascular exploration, the corresponding liver parenchyma is examined. A mobilization of the probe with clockwise or anticlockwise rotation movements allows full exploration of the liver. RESULTS: The association of laparoscopic examination and laparoscopic ultrasonography allows to localize with accuracy malignant and benign lesions and to perform ultrasound guided biopsy. Liver tumors not visible on preoperative imagery may be identified, relationships with adjacent vessels and presence of tumoral thrombi in major vascular structures may be assessed. Resectability of the liver tumors is at the best specified. CONCLUSION: Staging laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasonography improves selection of patients for liver resection and facilitates choice and performance of the most appropriate resection.

Biopsy, Needle↗
PubMed1999

[Impact of learning and experience on the laparoscopic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux].

STUDY AIM: Laparoscopic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by partial (PF) or total (TF) fundoplication is the most appropriate surgical treatment after failure of medical treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the results of the same series in three consecutive periods in order to determine the effects of the learning curve and experience on the technique and outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1993 to January 1998, 150 patients (84 men and 66 women) with a mean age of 52.2 years (18 to 78) were included. Three groups of 49, 50 and 51 patients were chronologically defined. The comparison was established on the following criteria: the operative technique; the conversion rate; the mortality and morbidity rate; the duration of surgery and hospitalization and the results with short and medium follow-up. RESULTS: The three groups were comparable with respect to patients and GERD characteristics. One hundred and thirty two patients had a TF and 18 had a PF. Rossetti's type TF became the reference procedure (80.3% in group III) and closure of the diaphragmatic crura was performed systematically in group III (100%). The duration of surgery was significantly reduced between group I and the two other groups (138, 100, 80 min). The rate of conversion decreased from 10.2% to 4% and then 0%. The average duration of hospitalization decreased from 5.8 to 4.2 days (p = 0.01). There was no mortality and the morbidity rate decreased from 14.3% to 4% and then 0%. Seven cases of recurrence occurred (4.6%), 5 in group I (10.2%), 2 in group II (4%), and 0 in group III, (with a shorter follow-up). CONCLUSION: The effect of the learning curve has to be taken into account in the training of surgeons (within experienced departments, with "guidance" during initial interventions) and also in the evaluation of results, in order to allow a more accurate comparison between the different treatments for GERD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Post mortem diagnostic laparoscopy].

The authors report a case of laparoscopy post mortem for unexplained inpatient death. It is minimally invasive, easy to perform, accurate, and not disfiguring. As well, it is easy to accept among mourning families. It should be considered when consent for conventional autopsy is lacking.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Effects of surgical education and training on the results of laparoscopic treatment of inguinal hernias].

STUDY AIM: The aim of this retrospective study was to compare two concurrent series of patients operated on for inguinal hernia with the same laparoscopic procedure, the first one in a teaching hospital with a number of trained surgeons and the second one in a private center with only one trained surgeon. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Five hundred and forty-one patients with 757 hernias were operated on over a period of six years by a totally pre-peritoneal laparoscopic approach. Two hundred and sixteen patients were operated on in a teaching hospital by 48 surgeons (six senior and 42 trainee surgeons; group I), 325 were operated on in a private center by one surgeon who had been trained in the same teaching hospital (group II). The two groups of patients and their hernias were comparable. The comparison was established on the following criteria: duration of operation, rate of conversion, length of hospitalization, morbidity and mortality rate, recurrence rate and costs. RESULTS: Operations performed by surgical trainees were associated with: (1) a mean operative time significantly (P = 0.01) longer for both unilateral (68 vs. 41 min) and bilateral (108 vs. 68 min) hernias. The operative time did not change in the teaching hospital and decreased with experience in private practice (from 62 to 25 min for unilateral hernias); (2) more frequent per-operative complications, particularly opening of the peritoneum (28% vs. 3%, P = 0.001); (3) a mean duration of hospitalization significantly (P = 0.05) longer, on average by 1.6 d; (4) a morbidity rate after 30 days significantly higher (16.2% vs. 4.9%, P = 0.01); and, (5) higher costs. There was no significant difference concerning mortality rate (nil), conversion rate (1.5%) and recurrence rate (1.3% vs. 0.6%, non significant). CONCLUSION: Surgical training for laparoscopic treatment of inguinal hernias was associated with a longer operation time and hospital stay, and with higher morbidity and costs. After a good initial training in a teaching hospital, surgeons were capable of performing laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernias with good results.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

A comparison of laparoscopic ultrasound versus cholangiography in the evaluation of the biliary tree during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the effectiveness of laparoscopic ultrasound in detecting main biliary duct stones. METHODS: From November 1994 to August 1998, 600 patients treated by laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included in a prospective study, to compare intraoperative cholangiography and laparoscopic ultrasound. The biliary tree was successively explored by these two methods in the routine detection of common bile duct stones. RESULTS: The feasibility of laparoscopic ultrasound was 100%. Cholangiography was performed only in 498 cases (83%). The time taken for laparoscopic ultrasound examination was significantly shorter (10.2 vs 17.9 min, P=0.0001). In this study, common bile duct stones were found in 54 cases (9%). For their detection, results were comparable to laparoscopic ultrasound and intraoperative cholangiography. For laparoscopic ultrasound, sensitivity was 80% and specificity 99%; and for cholangiography 75 and 98% respectively. Both examinations combined had a 100% sensitivity and specificity. Laparoscopic ultrasound failed to recognize the intrapancreatic part of the common bile duct in 78 cases (13%) and did not show anatomical anomalies detected by cholangiography. It did however detect other unsuspected intra-abdominal pathologies. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic ultrasound is safe, repeatable, and non-invasive, but a considerable learning curve is necessary to optimize its efficacy. Comparison of relative cost must be undertaken.

Adult↗