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Patient selection for laparoscopic myomectomy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine if preoperative criteria could select patients who were likely to be managed successfully by laparoscopic myomectomy. DESIGN: Prospective. SETTING: Two community hospitals. PATIENTS: Premenopausal women who had symptomatic uterine myomata and met the following criteria underwent laparoscopic myomectomy: uterine size less than or equal to 14 weeks after 12 weeks of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist therapy; no individual myoma larger than 7 cm; no leiomyoma near the uterine artery, or near the tubal cornua if fertility was desired; and at least 50% of the leiomyoma subserosal, to be accessible and to allow adequate repair of the myometrium through the laparoscope. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic assessment of the pelvis and laparoscopic myomectomy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Forty-one patients entered the study: 23 met the selection criteria and were accepted for laparoscopic myomectomy, but 4 were excluded during laparoscopic assessment of the pelvis. Clinical examination or initial sonogram correctly predicted successful laparoscopic myomectomy in 13 of 19 women. After 3 months of GnRH agonist therapy, clinical examination or sonogram identified four additional candidates. In six patients in whom the optimum approach was still uncertain, laparoscopic assessment found two additional appropriate candidates for laparoscopic myomectomy. Nineteen patients underwent the procedure without the need to convert to laparotomy. None experienced any complications. CONCLUSIONS: Careful patient selection can decrease the likelihood of inappropriate performance of laparoscopic myomectomy and avoid the need to convert to laparotomy.

Arteries↗

[Minimal invasiveness of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: reality or dream?].

Currently, radical retropubic prostatectomy is the standard procedure for clinically localized prostate cancer. The surgical technique has been continuously refined for decades, resulting in reduced morbidity and improved functional and oncologic results. Since the late 90s, radical prostatectomy has been increasingly performed laparoscopically. A search of the available data has found that the articles published so far have proven the feasibility of the laparoscopic procedure but never confirmed its less invasiveness. In accordance with previous studies that have evaluated the invasiveness of various open and laparoscopic procedures, our clinic, which has routinely performed both techniques for several years, addressed the question whether laparoscopic prostatovesiculectomy indeed induces less severe surgical trauma. This prospective nonrandomized comparison study of the University Clinic of Urology at the Martin-Luther University at Halle-Wittenberg recruited a total of 64 patients, who underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (n = 32) or open retropubic prostatectomy (n = 32) from January 2003 to April 2004. Both patient groups were comparable as to preoperative staging, PSA value and Gleason score. Besides perioperative parameters, such as surgical time, intra- and postoperative complications, blood loss and transfusion rate, need for analgetics and length of hospital stay, the comparison included oncologic data, such as Gleason score, pathologic stage and numbers of positive specimen margins. To get objectively reproducible data, the range of the systemic answers concerning the surgically induced tissue trauma was recorded as laboratory data. In all patients, pre-, intra-, and postsurgical markers of the acute-phase C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A (SAA), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured. The transfusion rate was 6 % for laparoscopic prostatectomies and 12 % for open prostatectomies. A rectal tear had to be intraoperatively repaired in one laparoscopically operated patient. The postoperative use of analgetics was comparable in both groups. The median hospital stay was 12.4 days for the laparoscopic and 11.2 days for the open surgical group. For T2 tumors, positive specimen margins were found in 6 cases (17 %) of the laparoscopic and in 4 cases (12 %) of the open surgical group. As to the indicators of any systemic reaction, no significant difference could be found during the entire clinical course between both surgical methods. In comparison with patients who underwent conventional open prostatectomy, patients with laparoscopically radical prostatectomy had identical to slightly higher serum levels of the acute-phase parameters, as evidence of an equal or a discretely manifested systemic response to the surgical trauma. The so far assumed less invasiveness of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is not objectively supported by the data from this study. Thus, surgical trauma and its linked invasiveness must be considered equal for both methods, at least for the time being.

Adult↗

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for large-volume (> or = 5 cm) adrenal masses.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy has emerged as the standard of care at many centers for small surgical adrenal masses. However, the role of laparoscopic adrenalectomy in the treatment of large adrenal masses has not been specifically addressed. Our aim was to evaluate the outcome of laparoscopic v open adrenalectomy for large-volume (> or =5 cm) adrenal masses and to compare laparoscopic adrenalectomy for large- and small-volume (<5 cm) masses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from 14 patients with large adrenal masses undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy between February 1998 and March 1999 (Group I) were retrospectively compared with 14 contemporary large-volume open adrenalectomies between December 1992 and May 1998 (Group II) and 45 small-volume laparoscopic adrenalectomies between July 1997 and November 1998 (Group III). RESULTS: In Group I and Group II, the mean surgical time (205 min v 216 min) and blood loss (400 mL v 584 mL) were similar. Although the mean adrenal size was also comparable (8 cm v 7.8 cm), the specimen weight of the en bloc adrenal gland and periadrenal fat was greater in Group I (168 g v 106 g). The hospital stay was shorter in Group I (2.4 days v 7.7 days). Minor complications occurred in 21.4% of Group I and 50% of Group II patients. On comparing Group I and Group III (laparoscopic <5 cm), Group I had larger specimen weight (168 g v 51.4 g), longer surgical time (205 min v 158 min), greater blood loss (400 mL v 113 mL), longer hospital stay (2.4 days v 1.5 days), a higher complication rate (21.4% v 8.9%), and a higher incidence of open surgical conversion (14.3% v 2.2%). Over a mean follow-up of 9.9 months, no local or port-site recurrences have been noted in Group I. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for large-volume adrenal masses is technically feasible and seems to replicate open surgical oncologic principles of achieving a wide-margin, en bloc excision of the adrenal gland and periadrenal fat. Successful laparoscopic resection is not impacted by the large size of the adrenal mass per se but rather by the presence of local invasion and poorly defined tissue planes that may be encountered in adrenal malignancy. As such, laparoscopic adrenalectomy for large masses should be attempted only by experienced laparoscopic surgeons and then with a low threshold for open conversion.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

Laparoscopic suturing: effect of instrument handling on suture strength.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In open surgery, handling of suture at any position other than the end is discouraged because of evidence that handling deforms and weakens the material. The limited operative field of laparoscopic surgery necessitates repeated instrument handling of suture, and the effect of such handling has not been investigated. We assessed the effect of trauma imposed on various suture materials by laparoscopic needle holders and forceps. Also, the ideal suturing technique (interrupted v continuous) according to the physical characteristics of the suture material and the optimal length for laparoscopic sutures were determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sutures of 2-0 and 3-0 polyglactin 910 and 2-0 poliglecaprone 25 were tested. Controlled damage was inflicted by grasping the suture for 1 second between the jaws of either toothed laparoscopic grasping forceps or a laparoscopic needle holder at a pressure of 45 MPa. Blind physical testing was then performed using a computer-controlled tensile testing system. The length and proportion of suture extension prior to breaking and the tensile strength were measured. Samples of undamaged and controlled damaged specimens, before and after breakage, were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS: The mean percentage extension in the control group was 46.3 mm for 3-0 Monocryl, 26.3 mm for 3-0 Vicryl, and 28.1 mm for 2-0 Vicryl. The mean tensile strengths were 47.9 N, 42.4 N, and 70.4 N for 3-0 Monocryl and 3-0 and 2-0 Vicryl, respectively. The 3-0 Monocryl and 3-0 Vicryl had significantly reduced tensile strength after damage compared with control sutures, whereas 3-0 Vicryl and 2-0 Vicryl had significantly impaired extension. After infliction of controlled damage with laparoscopic needle holders, the percent extension of damaged sutures was significantly less than that of undamaged sutures. Tensile strength was significantly lower for 3-0 Vicryl and 3-0 Monocryl after damage than before. The handling of Monocryl by laparoscopic needle holders and graspers produced punched-out defects and scratch marks, respectively. A number of damaged 2-0 and 3-0 Vicryl samples from the laparoscopic needle holder group showed disruption or unravelling of the braided filaments. CONCLUSION: We expect that our results underestimate the potential effect on suture strength and extension inflicted by laparoscopic suturing. The exact length of suture material cannot be recommended from the findings. However, interrupted sutures should be preferred, particularly for long suture lines. In addition, the findings support the use of laparoscopic graspers in preference to needle holders. The combination of a grasper in one hand and needle holder in the other is ideal. Finally, urologists initially embarking on laparoscopic reconstruction must take meticulous care in their suturing technique and, in particular, the number of times and force with which the suture is grasped.

Dioxanes↗

Interval laparoscopic appendectomy in children.

BACKGROUND: Conservative management of advanced complicated appendicitis in children is becoming more common. Formation of an appendiceal mass or abscess may mitigate against urgent appendectomy during the acute stage, and conservative treatment followed by interval appendectomy has been advocated. We present our experience of interval laparoscopic appendectomy in our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All children who were offered interval laparoscopic appendectomy between January 2000 and December 2004 were included. Retrospective case note analysis was performed and data collected included demographics, duration of symptoms, method of diagnosis, days of antibiotics, length of interval, operative time, length of hospital stay (conservative treatment and interval laparoscopic appendectomy), analgesia requirements, complications, and histology. RESULTS: Thirty-six children, median age 8 years (range, 1-15 years) diagnosed with appendiceal mass or abscess were offered interval laparoscopic appendectomy by two surgeons in our institution: one patient declined interval laparoscopic appendectomy. Median antibiotic treatment was 10 days (range, 3-23 days). Median length of stay for conservative treatment was 6 days (range, 1-27 days). Five children required percutaneous drainage. For the 35 children who had interval laparoscopic appendectomy, the median interval was 93 days (range, 34-156 days) and median operative time was 55 minutes (range, 25-120 minutes). Median length of stay for interval laparoscopic appendectomy was 1 day (range, 1-3 days). There were no complications following interval laparoscopic appendectomy. CONCLUSION: Interval laparoscopic appendectomy can be safely performed in children, is associated with a short hospital stay and minimal morbidity, analgesia, and scarring following conservative management of appendiceal mass or abscess. Interval laparoscopic appendectomy eliminates the risk of recurrent appendicitis and serves to excise undiagnosed carcinoid tumors. In future it may be possible to perform interval laparoscopic appendectomy as a day-case procedure in selected patients.

Adolescent↗

A prospective randomized trial comparing open versus laparoscopic appendectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The authors determined whether there was an advantage to laparoscopic appendectomy when compared with open appendectomy. SUMMARY/BACKGROUND DATA: The advantages of laparoscopic appendectomy versus open appendectomy were questioned because the recovery from open appendectomy is brief. METHODS: From January 15, 1992 through January 15, 1993, 75 patients older than 9 years were entered into a study randomizing the choice of operation to either the open or the laparoscopic technique. Statistical comparisons were performed using the Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were assigned to the open appendectomy group and 38 patients were assigned to the laparoscopic appendectomy group. Two patients were converted intraoperatively from laparoscopic appendectomies to open procedures. Thirty-one patients (81%) in the open group had acute appendicitis, as did 32 patients (84%) in the laparoscopic group. Mean duration of surgery was 65 minutes for open appendectomy and 87 minutes for laparoscopic appendectomy (p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in length of hospitalization, interval until resumption of a regular diet, or morbidity. Duration of both parenteral and oral analgesic use favored laparoscopic appendectomy (2.0 days versus 1.2 days, and 8.0 days versus 5.4 days, p < 0.05). All patients were instructed to return to full activities by 2 weeks postoperatively. This occurred at an average of 25 days for the open appendectomy group versus 14 days for the laparoscopic appendectomy group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomies have a shorter duration of analgesic use and return to full activities sooner postoperatively when compared with patients who underwent open appendectomies. The authors consider laparoscopic appendectomy to be the procedure of choice in patients with acute appendicitis.

Acute Disease↗

Comparison of open and laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVE: This study compares an initial group of patients undergoing laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy to a group of patients undergoing open donor nephrectomy to assess the efficacy, morbidity, and patient recovery after the laparoscopic technique. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Recent data have shown the technical feasibility of harvesting live renal allografts using a laparoscopic approach. However, comparison of donor recovery, morbidity, and short-term graft function to open donor nephrectomy has not been performed previously. METHODS: An initial series of patients undergoing laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy were compared to historic control subjects undergoing open donor nephrectomy. The groups were matched for age, gender, race, and comorbidity. Graft function, intraoperative variables, and clinical outcome of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy was attempted in 70 patients and completed successfully in 94% of cases. Graft survival was 97% versus 98% (p = 0.6191), and immediate graft function occurred in 97% versus 100% in the laparoscopic and open groups, respectively (p = 0.4961). Blood loss, length of stay, parenteral narcotic requirements, resumption of diet, and return to normal activity were significantly less in the laparoscopic group. Mean warm ischemia time was 3 minutes after laparoscopic harvest. Morbidity was 14% in the laparoscopic group and 35% in the open group. There was no mortality in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy can be performed with morbidity and mortality comparable to open donor nephrectomy, with substantial improvements in patient recovery after the laparoscopic approach. Initial graft survival and function rates are equal to those of open donor nephrectomy, but longer follow-up is necessary to confirm these observations.

Adult↗

Prospective comparison of laparoscopic versus open resection for benign colorectal disease.

Laparoscopic surgery is not being applied in a widespread manner in the management of benign or malignant colorectal disorders. This is a prospective comparison of 279 patients who underwent elective colorectal surgery. Colorectal diseases included inflammatory bowel, diverticular disease, colonic inertia, polyps, and rectal prolapse. Data included 136 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery (mean age, 51.3 years) and 143 who underwent open surgery (mean age, 56.0 years). Thirteen patients' procedures were converted to open, but their results were included in the laparoscopic surgery group. There was no significant difference in operative time, postoperative complications, morbidity, or mortality between the laparoscopic and open surgery groups. More patients in the laparoscopic group had significant cardiac disease (6.0%, laparoscopic; 0.7%, open; = 0.01). More patients in the open group had undergone previous gastrointestinal surgery (3.7%, laparoscopic; 11.2%, open; = 0.02). The laparoscopic group used less postoperative analgesia and resumed oral feeding quicker ( < 0.05). In addition, time to first flatus and bowel movement was faster ( < 0.05), and the length of postoperative hospital stay (7.7 +/- 15.8 versus 11.0 +/- 8.3; = 0.03) was shorter in the laparoscopic surgery group. There are significant advantages in postoperative recovery with the laparoscopic technique. If proven to be cost-effective, laparoscopic colorectal surgery for benign diseases should become the standard of surgical care.

Adult↗

A review of total laparoscopic hysterectomy: role, techniques and complications.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The following review examines the current role of total laparoscopic hysterectomy, which is a hysterectomy completed entirely laparoscopically. Recent advances in equipment, surgical techniques and training have made total laparoscopic hysterectomy a well tolerated and efficient technique. It is increasingly being adopted around the world because of the benefits to patients and surgeons. This study discusses the role of total laparoscopic hysterectomy, provides some technical suggestions about how to perform a total laparoscopic hysterectomy and how to avoid possible complications. RECENT FINDINGS: Only a few surgeons performing total laparoscopic hysterectomy have published their techniques and results. The terminology and techniques for total laparoscopic hysterectomy used by different surgeons, such as energy sources, the use of uterine manipulators, vaginal tubes, the method for uterine artery ligation and method of vault closure, vary. This makes objective comparison of the literature, techniques and complication rates difficult. SUMMARY: As more surgeons become trained in advanced laparoscopic surgery, the role of total laparoscopic hysterectomy will increasingly take over indications for total abdominal hysterectomy. It remains important that surgeons share their experience and publish their techniques, results and complications. Advanced laparoscopic training and supervision are paramount before embarking on total laparoscopic hysterectomy, so that complications are minimized.

Female↗

Laparoscopic versus open radical prostatectomy: a comparative study at a single institution.

PURPOSE: There is an ongoing debate about the benefits of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy compared to the open retropubic approach. We compared the last 219 patients treated with open retropubic prostatectomy with 438 patients treated with laparoscopic radical prostatectomy at our institution, focusing on operative data, complications and mid-term outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From December 1994 to November 1999 a total of 219 patients were treated with open prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection (group 1). From March 1999 to September 2002, 219 patients underwent early (group 2) and 219 underwent late (group 3) laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection. The same surgeons performed both operations. All 3 groups were similar with respect to mean patient age, mean prostate specific antigen value, median Gleason score, previous transurethral resection of the prostate and neoadjuvant treatment, although there was a slight stage shift in favor of the 2 laparoscopic groups. RESULTS: Mean operating time was significantly shorter after open surgery (196 minutes) compared to the early laparoscopic group (288) but it did not differ significantly from the late laparoscopic group (218). Mean blood loss (1,550 versus 1,100 versus 800 cc) and transfusion rates (55.7% versus 30.1% versus 9.6%) in groups 1 to 3 favored the laparoscopic groups. The complication rate in groups 1 to 3 was lower for laparoscopy (19.2% versus 13.7% versus 6.4%), but the spectrum differed. The early laparoscopic group had a higher incidence of rectal injuries (1.8% versus 3.2% versus 1.4% in groups 1 to 3, respectively) and urinary leakage (0.5% versus 2.3% versus 0.9%), whereas more lymphoceles (6.9% versus 0% versus 0%), wound infection (2.3% versus 0.5% versus 0%), embolism/pneumonia (2.3% versus 0.5% versus 0.5%) and anastomotic strictures (15.9% versus 6.4% versus 4.1%) occurred after open surgery. The amount of postoperative analgesia was significantly greater after open surgery (50.8 versus 33.8 versus 30.1 mg. in groups 1 to 3, respectively). Median catheter time was longer after open retropubic prostatectomy (12 versus 7 versus 7 days in groups 1 to 3, respectively) but the continence rates were similar in all 3 groups at 12 months (89.9% versus 90.3% versus 91.7%). The rate of positive margins did not differ significantly in groups 1 to 3 (28.2% versus 21.0% versus 23.2%), prostate specific antigen recurrence was equivalent related to the different observation periods. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy is technically demanding, with an initially longer operative time, higher incidence of rectal injuries and urinary leakage. The overall outcome after 219 cases favors the laparoscopic approach. Consequently, at our institution laparoscopic radical prostatectomy has become the method of choice.

Adult↗

Cost analysis of laparoscopic versus open orchiopexy in the management of unilateral nonpalpable testicles.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic exploration for the nonpalpable testicle (NPT) has been criticized for increased costs compared with primary inguinal/scrotal exploration, mostly due to high equipment costs and the need for open inguinal/scrotal exploration in many cases. We assessed costs associated with diagnostic laparoscopy vs inguinal/scrotal exploration followed by selective open or laparoscopic treatment for unilateral NPT to identify the most important factors that influence cost. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive literature review determined the probabilities of intra-abdominal or inguinal nubbins, blind-ending vas/vessels and intra-abdominal or inguinal gonads in patients with unilateral NPT. The costs of anesthesia, equipment and operating room use were obtained from our institution or derived from the literature. A model was created using computer software to compare the costs of initial scrotal/inguinal approach or initial laparoscopic exploration in a theoretical population of boys with unilateral NPT. We established a set of assumptions and generated a series of 1-way sensitivity analyses to detect cost influencing parameters. RESULTS: Based on the probabilities of intraoperative anatomical gonadal findings, use of reusable laparoscopic equipment and encompassing the ultimate surgical procedure needed initial laparoscopic evaluation was less costly than initial scrotal/inguinal exploration by 69 US dollars on a population basis. One-way sensitivity analyses showed that initial laparoscopic exploration was less costly if the operative time of laparoscopic exploration did not exceed 19 minutes and the cost of disposable laparoscopic equipment was less than 147 US dollars. CONCLUSIONS: On a population basis initial laparoscopic evaluation of the clinically nonpalpable testicle has a cost saving advantage (69 US dollars) over initial inguinal-scrotal exploration when reusable laparoscopic equipment is primarily used, disposable equipment costs are kept low (147 US dollars or less) and operating room time for diagnostic laparoscopy are at national standards (19 minutes or less). These findings hold true for a wide range of probabilities and duration of inguinal exploration time. Given that all of these caveats are easily achievable, cost should not be used as a factor to bias against initial laparoscopic exploration.

Child↗

Trends toward laparoscopic nephrectomy at a community hospital.

PURPOSE: For proper indications at university hospitals laparoscopic nephrectomy is often considered the standard of care. At community hospitals past surveys have not demonstrated this change. We describe the changing practice patterns of performing laparoscopic nephrectomies in indicated patients at our community hospital. We reviewed our data on monitoring our training program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of 381 consecutive complete nephrectomies performed at our institution from February 2000 to December 2003, including 62 live donor nephrectomies. Patient age, pathological size, operative time, estimated blood loss, duration to solid food intake and duration of hospitalization were compared between open nephrectomy and laparoscopic nephrectomy groups using the Wilcoxon 2-sample test. Surgical practice and surgeon characteristics were also described. RESULTS: Patients who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy demonstrated superior postoperative recovery with earlier return to solid diet and shorter hospitalization. The 2 groups were similar in regard to major complication rates. The number of laparoscopic nephrectomies increased annually, while the number of open nephrectomies decreased. The number of laparoscopic urologists increased annually. More importantly laparoscopic urologists performed an increasing number of nephrectomies, while nonlaparoscopic urologists faced a decrease in the number of nephrectomies performed. There appeared to be little evidence of hand assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy as a bridge to learning standard laparoscopic nephrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Our training paradigm has safely and effectively trained community urologists to perform laparoscopic nephrectomies. Laparoscopic nephrectomy is now considered a standard treatment option along with conventional open surgery and it should be offered to the patient in the medical setting. Although fellowship trained urologists can certainly add expertise to any program, community based hospitals do not have to depend on them.

Adult↗

Laparoscopic management of symptomatic and large adrenal cysts.

PURPOSE: We present the feasibility and results of the laparoscopic management of symptomatic and large adrenal cysts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 1993 to April 2004 we performed 149 laparoscopic adrenalectomies. In this series 8 patients with symptomatic adrenal cysts or pseudocysts were treated laparoscopically. Surgical indications for laparoscopic management of adrenal cysts were abdominal pain in 5 cases and cyst size 5 cm or greater in 3. RESULTS: The incidence of adrenal cyst was 5.4% (8 of 149 cases). Six patients underwent laparoscopic adrenal cyst decortication and marsupialization, 1 underwent laparoscopic partial adrenalectomy and 1 underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Mean operative time was 77.5 minutes. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. Mean hospital stay was 1.7 days. At a mean followup of 18.5 months all patients were asymptomatic and without radiographic evidence of cyst recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic conservative management of adrenal cysts is safe and feasible. Laparoscopic decortication and marsupialization should be the preferred treatment option for symptomatic adrenal cysts. Laparoscopic partial adrenalectomy or a total adrenalectomy can be performed in cases of larger cysts which compromise most of the adrenal gland. To our knowledge, this represents the largest series of symptomatic adrenal cysts managed laparoscopically.

Adolescent↗

Laparoscopic versus open colorectal surgery: a randomized trial on short-term outcome.

OBJECTIVE: The primary endpoint was to compare the impact of laparoscopic and open colorectal surgery on 30-day postoperative morbidity. Lymphocyte proliferation to mitogens and gut oxygen tension were surrogate endpoints. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Evidence-based proof of the effect of laparoscopic colorectal surgery on immunometabolic response and clinically relevant outcome variables is scanty. Further randomized trials are desirable before proposing laparoscopy as a superior technique. METHODS: Two hundred sixty-nine patients with colorectal disease were randomly assigned to laparoscopic (n = 136) or open (n = 133) colorectal resection. Four trained members of the surgical staff who were not involved in the study registered postoperative complications. Lymphocyte proliferation to Candida albicans and phytohemagglutinin was evaluated before and 3 and 15 days after surgery. Operative gut oxygen tension was monitored continuously by a polarographic microprobe. RESULTS: In the laparoscopic group the conversion rate was 5.1%. The overall morbidity rate was 20.6% in the laparoscopic group and 38.3% in the open group. Postoperative infections occurred in 15 of the 136 patients in the laparoscopic group and 31 of the 133 patients in the open group. The mean length of hospital stay was 10.4 +/- 2.9 days in the laparoscopic group and 12.5 +/- 4.1 days in the open group. On postoperative day 3, lymphocyte proliferation was impaired in both groups. Fifteen days after surgery, the proliferation index returned to baseline values only in the laparoscopic group. Intraoperative gut oxygen tension was higher in the laparoscopic than in the open group. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic colorectal surgery resulted in a significant reduction of 30-day postoperative morbidity. Lymphocyte proliferation and gut oxygen tension were better preserved in the laparoscopic group than in the open group.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Laparoscopic versus open bowel resection for Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic bowel resection is an alternative to open surgery for patients with Crohn's disease requiring surgical resection. The present report describes a seven-year experience with the laparoscopic treatment of Crohn's disease compared with the open technique in a tertiary Canadian centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 61 consecutive patients undergoing elective resection for Crohn's disease was carried out between October 1992 and June 1999. This analysis included 32 laparoscopic resections (mean age 33 years) and 29 open resections (mean age 42 years). Patient demographics were compared, as well as short and long term outcomes after surgery (mean follow-up 39 months). RESULTS: Patients in the laparoscopic group were younger and had fewer previous bowel surgeries than patients who had open resections. Indications for surgery and operative times were similar between the groups. Patients who underwent laparoscopic resections required fewer doses of narcotic analgesics. The resumption of bowel function after surgery, and tolerance of a clear liquid and solid diet was quicker in the laparoscopic group. Patients who underwent laparoscopic resections had significantly shorter hospital stays than those who underwent open resections. Fifteen patients (48.4%) in the laparoscopic group experienced recurrence of disease compared with 13 patients (44.8%) in the open group. In both groups, the most common site of recurrence was at the anastomosis. The disease-free interval was the same length for both groups (23.9+/-17.3 months for the laparoscopic resection patients compared with 23.9+/-20.2 months for the open resection patients; P=1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic resection for Crohn's disease can be performed safely and effectively. Quicker resumption of oral feeds, less postoperative pain and earlier discharge from hospital are advantages of the laparoscopic method. No differences in the recurrence rate or the disease-free interval were noted.

Adolescent↗

Laparoscopic ultrasonography in the management of ovarian cysts.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to determine the role of laparoscopic ultrasonography in the management of ovarian cysts extirpated by means of endoscopic surgery. METHODS: Laparoscopic ultrasonography was used during endoscopic surgery in 14 consecutive patients with an adnexal mass. The diagnostic accuracies of transvaginal and laparoscopic ultrasonography were compared according to the final pathological diagnosis. Estimations of the exact location of the ovarian mass by means of laparoscopic visualization and laparoscopic ultrasonography were compared. The presence of residual tumor tissue after cyst extirpation was monitored with laparoscopic ultrasonography. RESULTS: Using laparoscopic ultrasound and transvaginal ultrasound the correct diagnosis was made in 12 of 14 (85.7%) and 9 of 14 (64.3%) patients, respectively (not significantly different). With laparoscopic visualization, the exact location of the ovarian tumor could be demonstrated in 57.1% (8/14) of the cases, while with laparoscopic ultrasonography precise visualization of the ovarian mass was achieved in all cases (not significantly different). Two patients were found to have residual tumor tissue in the ovary when laparoscopic ultrasonography was performed again after tumor extirpation. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic ultrasonography seems to be useful in patients with an adnexal mass managed by endoscopic surgery, in terms of evaluating the internal characteristics and predicting the histological diagnosis of the ovarian cyst, deciding on the correct placement of the incision to prevent unnecessary trauma to the ovary, and evaluation of the ovary after cyst extirpation to expose any residual tumor tissue.

Adult↗

Laparoscopic surgery for inflammatory bowel disease.

Laparoscopic surgery has recently been gaining acceptance as an alternative approach for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. There is increasing evidence demonstrating the multiple potential benefits of laparoscopy including faster recovery, reduced costs, and lower morbidity. For patients with acute colitis, a laparoscopic subtotal colectomy and end ileostomy have been shown to be feasible and safe in experienced hands. When indicated, many of these patients may be able to safely undergo a subsequent laparoscopic approach for construction of an ileo-anal pouch. Although still controversial, an elective laparoscopic restorative proctocolectomy with ileo-anal pouch anastomosis has also been shown to be feasible with functional outcomes at least similar to those obtained with an open approach. However, larger randomized series of patients are needed with longer follow-up in order to draw definite conclusions. For Crohn's disease, a laparoscopic approach is ideal for stoma creation. In addition, laparoscopic ileo-colectomy is arguably the preferred approach for patients with terminal ileal disease. Some experienced laparoscopic groups have also applied laparoscopic techniques for more complicated cases with recurrent disease or disease-related complications, such as fistulous disease. Other short-term benefits of a laparoscopic approach may include a decreased incidence of ventral hernias, decreased incidence of small bowel obstruction, and faster recovery. These benefits may also have significant economic impact. In contrast to earlier reports, there is reliable evidence that conversion is not associated with a poorer outcome. A policy of starting most suitable cases laparoscopically may offer patients the potential benefits of a laparoscopic approach without increasing morbidity.

Colitis, Ulcerative↗

Laparoscopic pancreatic resections.

Current experience with laparoscopic pancreatic resections based on the reported literature and our own experience is reviewed and indications and preoperative work-up. The technical aspects of laparoscopic pancreatic resections are described with particular reference to 70% to 80% distal pancreatectomy with en block splenectomy. The experience with distal laparoscopic pancreatic resections has been entirely favorable, with benefit to the patient in terms of postoperative recovery, minimal morbidity, and short hospital stay. Case selection is important. These operations should only be attempted by surgeons who have experience in open pancreatic surgery and who have acquired the necessary advanced laparoscopic skills. A team of two experienced surgeons who are used to working together best conducts laparoscopic pancreatic resections. The use of strategic rest breaks with desufflation of the pneumoperitoneum halfway through the surgery is recommended to prevent fatigue and to protect the patient from prolonged periods of positive-pressure pneumoperitoneum. Laparoscopic segmental pancreatic resections with or without splenic preservation should be differentiated from laparoscopic enucleation of islet cell tumors. Both benefit from the use of laparoscopic contact ultrasonography. The most common postoperative complication after laparoscopic pancreatic resection and enucleation is pancreatic fistula. The incidence of this complication may be reduced by suture closure of the transected pancreatic duct and application of fibrin glue. By contrast, our limited experience with laparoscopic pancreatico-duodenectomy has been unfavorable. With the current technology, the laparoscopic approach for this procedure is too prolonged and does not seem to offer any benefit to the patient. Its use cannot be recommended.

Adult↗