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PubMed2002

Laparoscopic repair for perforated peptic ulcer: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the results of open versus laparoscopic repair for perforated peptic ulcers. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Omental patch repair with peritoneal lavage is the mainstay of treatment for perforated peptic ulcers in many institutions. Laparoscopic repair has been used to treat perforated peptic ulcers since 1990, but few randomized studies have been carried out to compare open versus laparoscopic procedures. METHODS: From January 1994 to June 1997, 130 patients with a clinical diagnosis of perforated peptic ulcer were randomly assigned to undergo either open or laparoscopic omental patch repair. Patients were excluded for a history of upper abdominal surgery, concomitant evidence of bleeding from the ulcer, or gastric outlet obstruction. Patients with clinically sealed-off perforations without signs of peritonitis or sepsis were treated without surgery. Laparoscopic repair would be converted to an open procedure for technical difficulties, nonjuxtapyloric gastric ulcers, or perforations larger than 10 mm. A Gastrografin meal was performed 48 to 72 hours after surgery to document sealing of the perforation. The primary end-point was perioperative parenteral analgesic requirement. Secondary endpoints were operative time, postoperative pain score, length of postoperative hospital stay, complications and deaths, and the date of return to normal daily activities. RESULTS: Nine patients with a surgical diagnosis other than perforated peptic ulcer were excluded; 121 patients entered the final analysis. There were 98 male and 23 female patients recruited, ages 16 to 89 years. The two groups were comparable in age, sex, site and size of perforations, and American Society of Anesthesiology classification. There were nine conversions in the laparoscopic group. After surgery, patients in the laparoscopic group required significantly less parenteral analgesics than those who underwent open repair, and the visual analog pain scores in days 1 and 3 after surgery were significantly lower in the laparoscopic group as well. Laparoscopic repair required significantly less time to complete than open repair. The median postoperative stay was 6 days in the laparoscopic group versus 7 days in the open group. There were fewer chest infections in the laparoscopic group. There were two intraabdominal collections in the laparoscopic group. One patient in the laparoscopic group and three patients in the open group died after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic repair of perforated peptic ulcer is a safe and reliable procedure. It was associated with a shorter operating time, less postoperative pain, reduced chest complications, a shorter postoperative hospital stay, and earlier return to normal daily activities than the conventional open repair.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Comparative analysis of laparoscopic versus open partial nephrectomy for renal tumors in 200 patients.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is an emerging minimally invasive, nephron sparing approach for renal cell carcinoma. We compared perioperative outcomes after laparoscopic and open nephron sparing surgery (NSS) for patients with a solitary renal tumor of 7 cm or less at a single institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since September 1999, 100 consecutive patients have undergone laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for a sporadic single renal tumor of 7 cm or less at our institution. A contemporary cohort of 100 consecutive patients with similar inclusion criteria have undergone open NSS since April 1998. Since our laparoscopic technique was based on our established open surgical principles, the 2 approaches were similar, including transient renal vascular control, sharp tumor excision in a bloodless field, pelvicaliceal repair when necessary, suture ligation of transected intrarenal blood vessels and suture repair of the renal parenchymal defect over a bolster. Demographic, intraoperative, postoperative and short-term followup data were retrospectively compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Median tumor size was 2.8 cm in the laparoscopic group and 3.3 cm in the open group (p = 0.005). There were significantly more tumors greater than 4 cm in the open group (p <0.001). There were more patients with a solitary kidney in the open surgical group (p = 0.002). More patients in the open group underwent NSS for a malignant tumor (p = 002). Comparing the laparoscopic versus open groups, median surgical time was 3 vs 3.9 hours (p <0.001), blood loss was 125 vs 250 ml (p <0.001) and mean warm ischemia time was 27.8 vs 17.5 minutes (p <0.001), respectively. In the laparoscopic and open groups median analgesic requirement was 20.2 vs 252.5 mg morphine sulfate equivalents (p <0.001), hospital stay was 2 vs 5 days (p <0.001) and average convalescence was 4 vs 6 weeks (p <0.001). Median preoperative serum creatinine (1.0 vs 1.0 mg/dl, p = 0.52) and postoperative serum creatinine (1.1 vs 1.2 mg/dl, p = 0.65) were similar in the 2 groups. No kidney was lost due to warm ischemic injury. Three patients in the laparoscopic group had a positive surgical margin compared to none in the open groups (3% vs 0%, p = 0.1). Laparoscopic NSS was associated with a higher rate of major intraoperative complications (5% vs 0%, p = 0.02). There were no significant differences in overall postoperative complications, although renal/urological complications were more common in the laparoscopic group (11% vs 2%, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Open surgical partial nephrectomy remains the established standard for nephron sparing treatment of renal tumors. When applied to small renal tumors, the laparoscopic approach is associated with longer warm renal ischemia time, more major intraoperative complications and more postoperative urological complications. Our data also suggest that more deliberate efforts to achieve a wider surgical margin are necessary with the laparoscopic approach. Nevertheless, our data suggest that laparoscopic NSS is emerging as an effective, minimally invasive therapeutic approach with respect to renal functional outcome with the additional advantages of decreased postoperative narcotic use, earlier hospital discharge and a more rapid convalescence. Continued efforts are required to develop laparoscopic renal hypothermia techniques and facilitate intrarenal suturing, while minimizing warm ischemia time.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Evaluation of core temperature during laparoscopic and open gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative hypothermia is a common event during open and laparoscopic abdominal surgery. The aim of this study was to compare changes in core temperature between laparoscopic and open gastric bypass (GBP). METHODS: 101 patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 40-60 kg/m2 were randomly assigned to open (n = 50) or laparoscopic (n = 51) GBP. Anesthetic technique was similar for both groups. An external warming blanket and passive airway humidification were used intraoperatively. Core temperature was recorded at preanesthesia, at baseline (after induction) and at 30-min intervals; intra-abdominal temperature was additionally measured at 30-min intervals in a subset of 30 laparoscopic GBP patients. The number of patients who developed intraoperative and postoperative hypothermia (< 36 degrees C) was recorded. Length of operation for both groups and the amount of CO2 gas delivered during laparoscopic operations were also recorded. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between groups with respect to age, gender, mean BMI, and amount of intravenous fluid administered. After induction of anesthesia, core temperature significantly decreased in both groups; 36% of patients in the open group and 37% of patients in the laparoscopic group developed hypothermia. This percentage increased to 46% in the open group and 41% in the laparoscopic group during the operation, and then decreased to 6% in the open group and 8% in the laparoscopic group in the recovery-room. Core temperature increased during the operative procedure to reach 36.5 +/- 0.6 degrees C in the open group and 36.3 +/- 0.5 degrees C in the laparoscopic group at 2.5 hours after surgical incision. Intra-abdominal temperature during laparoscopic GBP was significantly lower than core temperature at all measurement points (p < 0.05). Operative time was longer in the laparoscopic group than in the open group (232 +/- 43 vs 201 +/- 38 min, p < 0.01). Mean volume of gas delivered during laparoscopic GBP was 650 +/- 220 liters. CONCLUSION: Perioperative hypothermia was a common event during both laparoscopic and open GBP. Despite a longer operative time, laparoscopic GBP did not increase the rate of intraoperative hypothermia when efforts were made to minimize intraoperative heat loss.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Total laparoscopic aortic surgery versus minimal access techniques: review of more than 600 patients.

In the following paper we describe our experience with a large number of patients in which either a laparoscopic assisted procedure or a total laparoscopic operation was performed. From 1996 until 2005 a total number of 638 aortic patients were operated on using a total laparoscopic or a laparoscopic assisted approach. A total laparoscopic operation was accomplished in 236 cases. A laparoscopic assisted aortic operation was performed in 402 patients. In aneurysm patients a tube graft was more frequently implanted. Thirty-day mortality was significantly higher in patients with a total laparoscopic abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (3.0%) compared to a laparoscopic assisted procedure (1.8%). There was no significant difference in mortality in patients with occlusive disease and a total laparoscopic aortofemoral bypass versus a laparoscopically assisted operation. The same tendency could be observed when analyzing the incidence of major perioperative complications. Again we found no significant difference in patients with occlusive disease yet more severe complications directly related to the operation in patients with a total laparoscopic aneurysm repair. There was a significantly increased complication rate in total laparoscopic aortoiliac repair with a bifurcated prosthesis compared to a tube graft repair: a tendency we could not observe in aneurysm patients with a laparoscopic assisted operation. Our data also show that there is a lot of room for technical improvements such as stapling devices or special grafts to reduce total operating times as well as the period of aortic crossclamping. The routine use of a minilaparotomy can hardly be a solution considering the technical drawbacks such as impaired vision and long term complications like ventral hernias. Compared to open surgery the midterm results of laparoscopic aortic procedures are promising. The time has come to prove that good results can be obtained in more than a few specialized centers.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Laparoscopic colonic resections versus open surgery: a prospective non-randomized study on 310 unselected cases.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Laparoscopic colorectal surgery, particularly for malignancy, is still debated. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the postoperative outcome as well as the short- and medium-term results of laparoscopic surgery compared with those after open conventional surgery. METHODOLOGY: A series of 310 consecutive patients, operated on by the same surgical team, have been included in this study; 150 patients (75% with malignant lesions) underwent laparoscopic surgery, whereas 160 patients (73% with malignant lesions) were treated by open surgery. The treatment modality was selected by the patients after reading the informed consent form. RESULTS: Laparoscopic surgery was technically feasible in 91.4% of cases. Mean operative time for laparoscopic surgery was longer than for open surgery (251 vs. 175 min) (P < 0.001). Mean postoperative hospital stay after laparoscopic surgery was 10.5 days, as compared to 13.3 days after open surgery (P < 0.05). In the laparoscopic surgery group minor complications' rate was 3.6% and compared favorably to the 7.5% observed after open surgery (P = 0.261). No statistically significant difference was observed in the major complications rate (9.4% after laparoscopic surgery and 6.8% after open surgery) and in operative mortality (1.4% for laparoscopic surgery and 0.6% for open surgery). The local recurrence rate was lower after laparoscopic surgery as compared to open surgery: 3% versus 9.2% (P = 0.152), respectively. Mean follow-up was 34.2 months during which time we observed 2 cases of port site recurrence. After implementing adequate prophylactic measures, no parietal implants were observed in the last 80 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for malignancy. Distant site metastases occurred in 11% in both groups. At 36 months cumulative survival probability in laparoscopic surgery completed malignant cases was 0.74% as compared to 0.66% after open surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Morbidity and mortality were similar in the 2 groups. Laparoscopic patients experienced less pain. A slightly higher incidence of local recurrence was observed in the open surgery group, whereas the percentage of distant site metastases and the cumulative survival probability in the 2 groups were similar. Port site recurrences are a cause of concern but they can be prevented with adequate prophylactic measures. The short- and medium-term results of laparoscopic surgery compared favorably with those of open surgery in this prospective non-randomized study. Long-term oncological result are not known yet. In patients with malignancy prospective randomized trials on larger patient numbers are required.

Colectomy↗
PubMed2001

Bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: results of a national survey.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether surgical residency training has influenced the occurrence of common bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and to asses the anatomic and technical details of bile duct injuries from the practices of surgeons trained in laparoscopic cholecystectomy after residency versus surgeons trained in laparoscopic cholecystectomy during residency. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Shortly after the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the rate of injury to the common bile duct increased to 0.5%, and injuries were more commonly reported early in each surgeon's experience. It is not known whether learning laparoscopic cholecystectomy during surgery residency influences this pattern. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire was mailed to 3,657 surgeons across the United States who completed an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-approved residency between 1980 and 1990 (group A) or 1992 and 1998 (group B). All surgeons in group A learned laparoscopic cholecystectomy after residency, and all those in group B learned laparoscopic cholecystectomy during residency. Information obtained included practice description, number of laparoscopic cholecystectomies completed since residency, postgraduate training in laparoscopy, and annual volume of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the surgeon's hospital. In addition, technical details queried included the completion of a cholangiogram, the interval between injury and identification, the method of repair, and the site of definitive treatment. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of a major bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (bile leaks without a major bile duct injury were not tabulated). RESULTS: Forty-five percent (n = 1,661) of the questionnaires were completed and returned. Mean practice experience was 13.6 years for group A and 5.4 years for group B. At least one injury occurrence was reported by 422 surgeons (37.6%) in group A and 143 surgeons (26.5%) in group B. Forty percent of the injuries in group A occurred during the first 50 cases compared with 22% in group B. Thirty percent of bile duct injuries in group A and 32.9% of all injuries in group B occurred after a surgeon had performed more than 200 laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Independent of the number of laparoscopic cholecystectomies completed since residency, group A surgeons were 39% more likely to report one or more biliary injuries and 58% more likely to report two or more injuries than their counterparts in group B. Bile duct injuries were more likely to be discovered during surgery if a cholangiogram was completed than if cholangiography was omitted (80.9% vs. 45.1%). Sixty-four percent of all major bile duct injuries required biliary reconstruction, and most injuries were definitively treated at the hospital where the injury occurred. Only 14.7% of injuries were referred to another center for repair. CONCLUSIONS: Accepting that the survey bias underestimates the true frequency of bile duct injuries, residency training decreases the likelihood of injuring a bile duct, but only by decreasing the frequency of early "learning curve" injuries. If one accepts a liberal definition of the learning curve (200 cases), it appears that at least one third of injuries are not related to inexperience but may reflect fundamental errors in the technique of laparoscopic cholecystectomy as practiced by a broad population of surgeons in the United States. Intraoperative cholangiography is helpful for intraoperative discovery of injuries when they occur. Most injuries are repaired in the hospital where they occur and are not universally referred to tertiary care centers.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Combined laparoscopic surgery].

With minimal and flexible access, combined laparoscopic surgery (CLS) is most suitable to treat several abdominal diseases simultaneously. Among 1000 cases of laparoscopic procedures since 1991, 52 were CLS. They were laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) + appendectomy (LA) 24, LC + laparoscopic fenestration of liver cyst (LFLC) 2, LC + laparoscopic herniorraphy (LH) 4, LC + laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) 12, LC + laparoscopic salpingo-ophorectomy 1, LC + laparoscopic removal of leiomyoma of uterus (LRLU) 1, LC + laparoscopic excision of hemangioleiomyolipoma (LEH) in right kidney 1, LH + laparoscopic varicocelectomy (LV) 2, laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair + nissen fundoplication 5. CLS was successfully performed laparoscopically without morbidity and mortality. One case of LC + LCBDE and one case of LH + LNF converted to open surgery be cause of unexpected injury of cystic artery and esophageal rupture. Compared with single laparoscopic surgery, CLS did not increase postoperative pain, hospitalization, recovery period, and cost for equipment and instruments. Our results showed that as long as we insist on basic surgical principles, strictly follow operative indications for CLS, more and more patients with multiple abdominal diseases will enjoy minimal access surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Cholecystitis in the octogenarian: is laparoscopic cholecystectomy the best approach?

Management of biliary disease in the octogenarian has evolved over the last decade. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is now more commonly performed in this patient population. Octogenarians with biliary pathology frequently present with complications of acute disease such as biliary pancreatitis, choledocholithiasis, and acute cholecystitis. As a result, laparoscopic management in this patient population can frequently be more challenging than in younger patients. We retrospectively reviewed 70 patients who were 80 years of age and older who underwent cholecystectomy at our institution for biliary tract disease. Seventeen patients presented to the Day Surgery unit for elective management of chronic biliary disease. Sixteen (94%) of these patients were attempted laparoscopically and one (6%) underwent open cholecystectomy. Two patients attempted laparoscopically were converted to open surgery (conversion rate 12.5%). Average length of hospital stay was 3.7 days for those treated laparoscopically and 11 days for patients treated with open cholecystectomy. There were three complications (19%) in this group and no deaths. The remaining 53 patients presented via the emergency room with acute complications of cholelithiasis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was attempted in 28 (52%) and open cholecystectomy was performed in 25 (48%) patients. Ten (37%) of the patients attempted laparoscopically were converted to an open procedure. Average length of stay in this group was 11.7 days for those treated laparoscopically and 15.7 days for patients managed with open technique. There were ten (56%) complications in the laparoscopic group and five (14%) complications in the open group. There were four deaths (22%) among those treated laparoscopically and three deaths (8.6%) in the open cholecystectomy group. Comorbid conditions were common in the patients with acute biliary pathology and those presenting for elective cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the procedure of choice in the elective management of biliary tract disease in the octogenarian. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has no benefit with respect to morbidity and mortality over open cholecystectomy in the management of acute biliary tract disease in this elderly population. When possible, chronic cholecystitis in the elderly should be managed with elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy rather than waiting for complications to develop.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1999

Laparoscopic vs open adrenalectomy for the treatment of primary hyperaldosteronism.

HYPOTHESIS: That the clinical presentations, biochemical profiles, and surgical outcomes of patients treated with laparoscopic vs open adrenalectomy for primary hyperaldosteronism are different. DESIGN, SETTINGS, PATIENTS, AND INTERVENTIONS: The medical records of 80 patients with primary hyperaldosteronism who underwent open adrenalectomy between 1975 and 1986 or laparoscopic adrenalectomy between 1993 and 1998 at the University of California-San Francisco were reviewed by a single unblinded researcher (W.T.S.). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Severity of hypertension and hypokalemia at diagnosis, their improvement after adrenalectomy, and operative complications. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients underwent open adrenalectomy and 42 patients underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy. The patients who underwent open adrenalectomy had documented hypertension for a median of 5 years before surgery; all had diastolic blood pressures greater than 100 mm Hg. Laparoscopically treated patients had documented hypertension for a median of 2.5 years preoperatively, and 20 (48%) had diastolic blood pressures greater than 100 mm Hg. The median preoperative serum potassium levels for the open and laparoscopic groups were 2.6 mmol/L and 3.3 mmol/L, respectively; the mean serum aldosterone levels were 1.47 nmol/L and 1.30 nmol/L. Thirty-two (84%) of the 38 patients who underwent open surgery and 41 (98%) of the 42 patients treated laparoscopically had adrenal adenomas. The sensitivity of preoperative computed tomographic scanning for adenomas was 83% for the patients treated with open adrenalectomy and 93% for those treated laparoscopically. There were 4 postoperative complications in the open surgery group and none in the laparoscopic group. Postoperatively, 30(81%) of 37 patients (excluding 1 patient who died of adrenocortical carcinoma) in the open surgery group and 37 (88%) of 42 patients treated laparoscopically were normotensive. Post-operative values were 3.6 to 5.0 of serum potassium per liter and 3.5 to 4.9 of serum potassium per liter in the open and laparoscopic groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who are treated with laparoscopic adrenalectomy for primary hyperaldosteronism are being referred with less severe hypertension and hypokalemia than patients formerly treated with open adrenalectomy. Patients treated laparoscopically had fewer postoperative complications and were equally likely to improve in blood pressure and hypokalemia. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has become the treatment of choice for patients with primary hyperaldosteronism because of lower morbidity.

Adrenalectomy↗
PubMed2005

Short term benefits for laparoscopic colorectal resection.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal resections are common surgical procedures all over the world. Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is technically feasible in a considerable amount of patients under elective conditions. Several short-term benefits of the laparoscopic approach to colorectal resection (less pain, less morbidity, improved reconvalescence and better quality of life) have been proposed. OBJECTIVES: This review compares laparoscopic and conventional colorectal resection with regards to possible benefits of the laparoscopic method in the short-term postoperative period (up to 3 months post surgery). SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CancerLit, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for the years 1991 to 2004. We also handsearched the following journals from 1991 to 2004: British Journal of Surgery, Archives of Surgery, Annals of Surgery, Surgery, World Journal of Surgery, Disease of Colon and Rectum, Surgical Endoscopy, International Journal of Colorectal Disease, Langenbeck's Archives of Surgery, Der Chirurg, Zentralblatt für Chirurgie, Aktuelle Chirurgie/Viszeralchirurgie. Handsearch of abstracts from the following society meetings from 1991 to 2004: American College of Surgeons, American Society of Colorectal Surgeons, Royal Society of Surgeons, British Assocation of Coloproctology, Surgical Association of Endoscopic Surgeons, European Association of Endoscopic Surgeons, Asian Society of Endoscopic Surgeons. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised-controlled trial were included regardless of the language of publication. No- or pseudorandomised trials as well as studies that followed patient's preferences towards one of the two interventions were excluded, but listed separately. RCT presented as only an abstract were excluded. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Results were extracted from papers by three observers independently on a predefined data sheet. Disagreements were solved by discussion. 'REVMAN 4.2' was used for statistical analysis. Mean differences (95% confidence intervals) were used for analysing continuous variables. If studies reported medians and ranges instead of means and standard deviations, we assumed the difference of medians to be equal to the difference of means. If no measure of dispersion was given, we tried to obtain these data from the authors or estimated SD as the mean or median. Data were pooled and rate differences as well as weighted mean differences with their 95% confidence intervals were calculated using random effects models. MAIN RESULTS: 25 RCT were included and analysed. Methodological quality of most of these trials was only moderate and perioperative treatment was very traditional in most studies. Operative time was longer in laparoscopic surgery, but intraoperative blood was less than in conventional surgery. Intensity of postoperative pain and duration of postoperative ileus was shorter after laparoscopic colorectal resection and pulmonary function was improved after a laparoscopic approach. Total morbidity and local (surgical) morbidity was decreased in the laparoscopic groups. General morbidity and mortality was not different between both groups. Until the 30th postoperative day, quality of life was better in laparoscopic patients. Postoperative hospital stay was less in laparoscopic patients. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Under traditional perioperative treatment, laparoscopic colonic resections show clinically relevant advantages in selected patients. If the long-term oncological results of laparoscopic and conventional resection of colonic carcinoma show equivalent results, the laparoscopic approach should be preferred in patients suitable for this approach to colectomy.

Blood Loss, Surgical↗
PubMed2005

Laparoscopic and open gastric resections for malignant lesions: a prospective comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Whereas laparoscopy for benign diseases provides clear advantages over traditional surgery, the benefits of laparoscopic gastric resection for malignant diseases are less clear. The objectives of this study were to compare prospectively the clinical outcomes between completely laparoscopic and open total and partial gastrectomies for malignant diseases and to assess whether laparoscopic gastrectomies obtain adequate margins and follow oncologic principles. METHODS: Between April 1995 and March 2004, a prospective comparative study was performed comparing eight patients who underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy with 11 patients who underwent open total gastrectomy, and 16 patients who underwent laparoscopic partial gastrectomy with 17 who patients underwent open partial gastrectomy. Stage, extent of lymphadenectomy, and long-term follow-up were examined. The intraoperative and postoperative details of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The laparoscopic group patients had fewer intraoperative complications while the operative time was similar to that of the open group. Both ambulation and hospital stay were significantly shorter in the laparoscopic groups than in the open groups. The short-term morbidity was lower in the laparoscopic groups and there were no cases of death, whereas one case of postoperative death occurred after an open total gastrectomy. There was no need to convert to open surgery. The number of lymph nodes obtained in the laparoscopic and open procedures was not significantly different. In addition, all resected margins were tumor free in the laparoscopic group, whereas tumor involvement was presented in the margin of one specimen in the open group. CONCLUSIONS: The totally laparoscopic approach to total and partial gastrectomies had good results and was proven to be a feasible and safe procedure. In addition, the laparoscopic procedures are superior to open surgeries in terms of faster postoperative recovery, shorter hospital stay, and better cosmetic outcomes. A totally laparoscopic approach for early and advanced gastric cancer can obtain adequate margins and follow oncologic principles.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1999

Conversion factors for laparoscopic splenectomy for immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

BACKGROUND: Since 1994, 27 patients at our institution have undergone laparoscopic splenectomy for immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Laparoscopic splenectomy was completed in 22 of these patients. We sought to identify factors that precluded successful laparoscopic splenectomy in the remaining 5 patients. METHODS: Retrospective review of 27 patients with ITP undergoing laparoscopic splenectomy was performed at Duke University Medical Center from August, 1994 to September, 1997. RESULTS: Laparoscopic splenectomy was performed in 16 women and 11 men with a mean age of 47.2 years. Five (18%) of these procedures were converted to open splenectomy. There was no significant difference in age, ASA score, gender, weight, height, or splenic size between the converted and laparoscopic groups. However, preoperative and postoperative platelet counts were significantly higher in the laparoscopic group than in the converted group (p < 0.001). Operative times also were significantly longer for the laparoscopic group than for the converted group (p < 0.001). Adherent adjacent structures, associated comorbidities, and technical errors prohibited laparoscopic completion in five patients. Technical errors with subsequent bleeding required conversion in two patients. A thickened greater omentum blanketing the splenic capsule and a densely adherent pancreatic tail extending well into the splenic hilum prevented laparoscopic completion in two patients. Increased peak airway pressures greater than 60 mmHg after pneumoperitoneum necessitated conversion in the remaining patient, who had a previous history of pulmonary insufficiency. Regardless of surgical approach, all patients achieved a therapeutic response after splenectomy. Splenectomies completed laparoscopically resulted in a significantly shorter length of hospital stay (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Densely adherent adjacent structures, technical errors, and cardiopulmonary instability may preclude successful completion of laparoscopic splenectomies. Thorough preoperative evaluation with an emphasis on the cardiopulmonary system may elicit a cohort of individuals with ITP who are unlikely to undergo laparoscopic splenectomy successfully. This cohort also may include individuals with preoperative platelet counts less than 35,000 mm(-3).

Female↗
PubMed2004

Benefits of hand-assisted laparoscopic restorative proctocolectomy: a comparative study.

PURPOSE: Hand-assisted laparoscopic colectomy is thought to facilitate colonic mobilization while maintaining the benefits of laparoscopic surgery. Although previous studies of hand-assisted colectomy have focused on segmental colonic resection, the use of hand-assisted laparoscopic restorative proctocolectomy has not been investigated. This study evaluated the effectiveness of hand-assisted laparoscopic approach compared with a conventional laparoscopic method in patients undergoing restorative proctocolectomy. METHODS: From a prospective database, a consecutive series of patients were identified undergoing conventional and hand-assisted laparoscopic restorative proctocolectomy and results were compared. Twenty-three patients, comprising 10 hand-assisted and 13 conventional laparoscopic patients, were identified. Patient characteristics, perioperative parameters, and outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: Both groups were well matched with no differences in age, gender, body mass index, operative indication, diagnosis, comorbidity, or steroid usage. There were no differences among incision size between the hand-assisted (8 (range, 8-20) cm) and conventional laparoscopic cases (8 (range, 5-10) cm). The median operative time was significantly shorter in the hand-assisted group (247 (range, 210-390) minutes) compared with the conventional laparoscopic group (300 (range, 240-400) minutes; P < 0.01). The length of stay was similar between groups (hand-assisted: 4 (range, 3-13) days vs. conventional: 6 (range, 4-17) days). Complications occurred in four hand-assisted patients (40 percent; 2 ileus, mechanical obstruction, and dehydration) and in four patients undergoing conventional laparoscopic method (31 percent; 2 anastomotic leak, ileus, and mechanical obstruction). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with conventional laparoscopic restorative proctocolectomy, the hand-assisted method resulted in a significant reduction in operative time without detriment to bowel function, length of stay, or patient outcome. The hand-assisted approach to restorative proctocolectomy is likely to replace conventional laparoscopic methods as the preferred laparoscopic approach for this technically challenging procedure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2007

Complications of 2,775 urological laparoscopic procedures: 1993 to 2005.

PURPOSE: We assessed the complications associated with urological laparoscopic surgery at a single high volume center during a 12-year period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart analysis was performed, focusing on complications associated with 2,775 laparoscopic surgeries occurring between 1993 and 2005. These included radical nephrectomy (549), partial nephrectomy (345), donor nephrectomy (553), simple nephrectomy (186), pyeloplasty (301), nephroureterectomy (105), retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (86), renal ablation (81), adrenalectomy (106) and radical prostatectomy (463). Complication data were tabulated according to case number, procedure type, patient age, the American Society of Anesthesiologists score, conversion status, length of hospitalization, Clavien classification system and annual complication rate during the study. Statistical analysis was performed with Fisher's exact and chi-square tests. RESULTS: A total of 614 complications (22.1%) occurred within each group, broken down into laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (20%), laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (28%), laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (28%), laparoscopic simple nephrectomy (15%), laparoscopic pyeloplasty (13.3%), laparoscopic nephroureterectomy (40.9%), laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (26.7%), laparoscopic renal tumor ablation (18.6%), laparoscopic adrenalectomy (25.4%) and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (15%). Total intraoperative and postoperative complication rates were 4.7% and 17.5%, respectively. Vascular injuries were the most common intraoperative complications. Annual complication rates plateaued in the year 2000 and were not significantly different during the ensuing 4 years (p >0.05). Complications correlated with a greater American Society of Anesthesiologists score as well as a longer hospital stay (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The data presented here help define the complication rates for laparoscopic urological procedures in experienced hands at a high volume institution.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Total laparoscopically and robotically assisted aortic aneurysm surgery: a critical evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopically assisted aortic aneurysm resection requiring a minilaparotomy can be performed as a routine procedure. It was the purpose of our study to evaluate whether a total laparoscopic operation can be offered to aneurysm patients as a minimally invasive alternative. We also wanted to test whether a master-slave robot could facilitate the total laparoscopic procedure. METHODS: A prospective, consecutive number of 50 patients was evaluated. A transperitoneal left retrocolic access was used to expose the aorta. If possible, a tube graft repair was performed. The aortic anastomosis was sutured totally laparoscopically, with the surgeon standing on the right side of the operating table. In 10 consecutive patients, the anastomosis was sutured with the help of the Zeus robot. RESULTS: After excluding 3 cases that required suprarenal cross-clamping, 47 patients were operated using a total laparoscopic approach. A totally laparoscopic operation could be performed successfully in 39 patients with aneurysms. In 8 patients (17%), conversion to a laparoscopic hand-assisted operation with a 7-cm minilaparotomy was required. The robot was used to perform the aortic anastomosis in 10 patients. In 8 patients, a tube graft repair could successfully be performed totally laparoscopically. In the remaining patients, a bifurcated graft was implanted laparoscopically. The mean operating time was 227 minutes in the laparoscopy group and was 242 minutes in those patients in whom the anastomosis was sutured with the help of the Zeus Robot. Mean cross-clamping time, +/- SD, was 81.4 + 31 minutes. None of the patients died perioperatively. Major complications occurred in three patients (6.3%). The overall morbidity was 14.8%, including one patient who required temporary hemodialysis postoperatively. The time to suture the aortic anastomosis was significantly shorter in the robotic-assistance group (40.8 +/- 4 minutes), yet total operating time was longer in this group because of the technical complexity of the robotic device. Patients with a total laparoscopic procedure asked for significantly fewer analgesics and could regain full mobility earlier compared with those patients for whom a minilaparotomy after conversion to the laparoscopic hand-assist procedure was required. CONCLUSIONS: Total laparoscopic aneurysm resection can be offered to the majority of patients in our institution. The robot still requires further refinements to reduce operating times and the aortic cross-clamping period. We now have the technique and the instrumentation to offer laparoscopic aneurysm surgery as a minimally invasive alternative for patients whose conditions are unsuitable for endovascular aneurysm repair.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed1998

Laparoscopic repair and groin hernia surgery.

Over the past 15 years, laparoscopic herniorrhaphy has made the transition from an experimental to a proven procedure. With increasing laparoscopic skills in the surgical community, many surgeons are now faced with the question of when to recommend laparoscopic herniorrhaphy to their patients. A surgeon's best hernia repair is the one with which they have had the greatest experience. This results in the lowest recurrence and complication rate in his or her hands. Certainly, simple, unilateral hernias and bilateral hernias can be repaired with either anterior or laparoscopic techniques. Many times, laparoscopic herniorrhaphy is too much surgery for a young patient with a unilateral hernia. In such a case, repair is best performed with the patient under local anesthesia. Also, young patients in whom it is advantageous to avoid mesh should not undergo laparoscopic herniorrhaphy. The authors prefer laparoscopic TEP herniorrhaphy in patients with recurrent hernias, bilateral hernias, and unilateral hernias with a suspected contralateral hernia. There is also a consensus that patients with multiple recurrent hernias in whom a preperitoneal repair is appropriate are best served with a laparoscopic repair. Surgeons without advanced laparoscopic skills or without the time to develop the skills necessary to perform laparoscopic herniorrhaphy should consider referring patients with recurrent hernias to surgeons with experience in TEP. TEP is preferable to TAPP because of its lower complication and recurrence rates and in the authors' hands is the "best repair." TAPP should be reserved for patients with prior lower abdominal wall incisions that make the dissection of the peritoneum from the underside of the incision impossible. Patients who cannot tolerate general anesthesia or who have had extensive lower abdominal surgery should not undergo laparoscopic herniorrhaphy. Complication and recurrence rates, although initially higher than traditional repairs, have now fallen to equal or lower levels at centers experienced in laparoscopic techniques. Prospective randomized trials prove that when patients are selected properly and surgeons are adequately trained and proctored, laparoscopic herniorrhaphy can be performed with acceptably low incidences of recurrence and complications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Laparoscopic hysterectomy: challenges and limitations.

Twenty years after the first description of vaginal hysterectomy with laparoscopic assistance by Kurt Semm in 1984 (1), and 16 years after the publication of the so-called laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) by Harry Reich in 1989 (2), it is time to review and evaluate the real benefits of laparoscopic hysterectomy. Although laparoscopic surgery is well accepted by gynaecologists worldwide for the treatment of certain gynaecological conditions, laparoscopic hysterectomy in Germany, and probably worldwide, is still only performed by a few specialists. Highly skilled surgical techniques, longer operating time and expensive technology are suggested to be the deterring factors. Laparoscopic hysterectomy, in its different forms, is an attractive and safe procedure for the management of benign gynaecological conditions and many authorities recommend its use on a larger extent. On the other hand, in our opinion, the use of laparoscopic hysterectomy for oncological indications is still controversial. Extensive experience of over 15 years, of the first author, in practising and teaching various forms laparoscopic hysterectomy, namely, laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH), total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH), classic intrafascial supracervical hysterectomy (CISH) and laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy (LSH), has led us to the firm conclusion that these techniques are advantageous to patients if performed for the appropriate indication. In particular, subtotal or supracervical hysterectomy, with the cervix remaining in its place, is associated with fewer complications and a very favourable outcome for the patient. Radical laparoscopic vaginal hysterectomy (RLVH), the last variant in our exposé, is only successful in an expert's hands. The surgical techniques of these varieties of laparoscopic hysterectomies will be described and illustrated in detail in this paper.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Who should be doing laparoscopic bariatric surgery?

BACKGROUND: The training and credentialing of surgeons for laparoscopic bariatric surgery is controversial. We sought to determine if there is an association between surgeons' practice and choice of open or laparoscopic bariatric surgery. METHODS: Members of the ASBS were surveyed via email. Associations were tested with Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel or Pearson's chi-square. RESULTS: 104/472 members responded; 65% were in private practice; 47% did 1-5 operations/week, 48% offered open procedures only, and 76% undertook gastric bypass. Respondents believe that laparoscopic procedures: should mimic open ones (77%), are safe (63%), should be evaluated by clinical trials (48%), and that expertise in bariatric surgery is more important than laparoscopic experience. 75% believe that courses and preceptorships are important. Regarding laparoscopic operations, surgeons doing only open procedures believe that: 1) the ASBS should be the main credentialing body; 2) surgeons should do > 25 open before laparoscopic ones; and 3) clinical trials are needed (P < 0.02, all). Surgeons with laparoscopic training or practices believe that laparoscopic surgery is safe and effective (P < 0.002). Both laparoscopic and open surgeons believe bariatric surgeons should be the only surgeons doing laparoscopic bariatric procedures (P < 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: There is consensus that laparoscopic bariatric surgery should be undertaken only by surgeons with strong interest in bariatric surgery. Laparoscopic bariatric surgeons should incorporate lessons learned from open surgery. Both laparoscopic and open bariatric surgeons should seek added expertise via courses and preceptorships. The skepticism of surgeons with 'open' practices could be addressed by clinical trials. The ASBS should maintain its leadership position and foster emerging technologies.

Clinical Competence↗