Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Laparoscopes”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 685 records · Page 38Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

[The current state of laparoscopic surgery for abdominal parenchymatous organs].

Laparoscopic surgery for abdominal parenchymatous organs such as the liver and pancreas presents unique technical challenges and anatomic difficulties although laparoscopic splenectomy has become the standard procedure in some hospitals. The advances in laparoscopic technology have encouraged expert hands to extend the procedure to parenchymatous organs. Clinical cases of laparoscopic hepatectomy, as well as laparoscopic thermal ablation, for patients with hepatic tumor have been increasing recently. The most important considerations for laparoscopic hepatectomy are the clinical characteristics of the tumor. Tumors that are smaller than 5 cm and located in the lower or left lateral segment are good candidates. At present, partial hepatectomy and left lateral segmentectomy are appropriate operative procedures. The laparoscopic approach is considered the treatment of choice, as it is less invasive in selected patients. Laparoscopic pancreatectomy is difficult to evaluate at present because of the scarcity of clinical cases. Laparoscopic pancreatectomy is indicated for distal, enucleated tumors. Another procedure, pancreatic cystogastrostomy, utilizes an intragastric approach. Laproscopic splenectomy will be the standard procedure in patients suffering hematologic disease, although it remains controversial in cases of splenomegaly due to the possibility of portal hypertension or hematologic malignancy. The incidence of conversion to open laparotomy due to uncontrollable bleeding is closely related to the technical skill of the surgeon. Safer laparoscopic procedures for abdominal parenchymatous organs depends on further refinement of endoscopic technology and improved training in endoscopic techniques.

Hepatectomy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Laparoscopic appendectomy: why it should be done.

OBJECTIVE: Notwithstanding its widely perceived advantages, laparoscopic appendectomy has not yet met with universal acceptance. The aim of the present work is to illustrate retrospectively the results of a case-control experience with laparoscopic versus open appendectomy carried out at our institution. METHODS: Between January 1993 and November 2000, 555 patients (M:F = 210:345; mean age 25.2 +/- 15 years) underwent emergency or urgent appendectomy, or both. Of them, 322 (52%) were operated on laparoscopically, and 233 (48%) were treated via conventional surgery, according to the presence of a well-trained surgical team. RESULTS: The laparoscopic group conversion rate was 3.1% (10/322) and was mainly due to the presence of dense intraabdominal adhesions. Major intraoperative complications ranged as high as 0.3% (1/322) and 0%, respectively, in the laparoscopic and conventional groups (P=ns). Major postoperative complications were 1.6% (5/312) vs 0.8% (2/243), respectively (P=ns). Postoperative mortality was 0.3% (1/312) and 0.4% (1/243) in the laparoscopic and conventional subsets of patients. Reinterventions were 0.9% (3/322) in the laparoscopic patients versus nil in the open group (P=ns). Minor postoperative complications were observed in 0.6% (2/312) and 6.5% (16/243) of patients, respectively, in the laparoscopy and open surgery groups, and consisted mainly of wound infections (P=0.001). Flatus passage and hospitalization were significantly more rapid among the laparoscopic patients. The greater diagnostic accuracy of laparoscopy allowed the diagnosis of concurrent diseases in 12% (30/254) versus 1.5% (3/199) of patients with histology proven appendicitis treated via laparoscopy versus laparotomy (P<0.01). Similarly, among those patients without gross or microscopic evidence of appendicitis, or both gross and microscopic evidence, concurrent diseases were detected in 57.3% (39/68) of laparoscopic patients versus 8.8% (3/34) in the conventional ones (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Even if limited by its retrospective nature, the present experience shows that laparoscopic appendectomy is as safe and effective as conventional surgery, has a higher diagnostic yield, causes less trauma, and offers a more rapid postoperative recovery. Such features make laparoscopy a challenging alternative to laparotomy in premenopausal women referred for urgent abdominal or pelvic surgery, or both.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Laparoscopic resection of gastric stromal tumor: a tailored approach.

Many different laparoscopic approaches to resection of gastric stromal tumor have been described in the literature. We reviewed our experience of laparoscopic approaches to surgical resection of gastric stromal tumors seven in six consecutive patients. The tumor locations were the gastric cardia (n = 2), gastroesophageal junction (n = 1), gastric fundus (n = 2), and gastric antrum (n = 2). Laparoscopic localization of endoluminal tumors included intraoperative endoscopy, laparoscopic ultrasound, and laparoscopic palpation. There were five males with a mean age of 57 years. Laparoscopic approaches to resection were laparoscopic wedge resection (n = 4) for tumors in the gastric fundus and antrum, laparoscopic enucleation (n = 2) for tumors in the gastric cardia, and transgastric endoluminal resection (n = 1) for a tumor located at the gastroesophageal junction. There was no conversion to laparotomy. The mean operative time was 143 +/- 54 minutes and mean blood loss was 57 +/- 27 mL. None of the patients required intensive care stay. The mean length of hospital stay was 3 days. There were no major or minor complications and no mortality. Surgical pathology demonstrated gastric stromal tumor with less than 2/50 mitosis per high power field in all seven specimens. Tumor size ranged from 2.8 cm to 7.1 cm in greatest diameter. There has been no tumor recurrence with a mean follow-up of 9 months. Laparoscopic resection of benign gastric stromal tumor is safe and feasible. The laparoscopic approaches to surgical resection should be tailored based on the location and characteristics of the tumor.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Could laparoscopic colon and rectal surgery become the standard of care? A review and experience with 750 procedures.

INTRODUCTION: The benefits of the laparoscopic approach to colon and rectal surgery do not seem as great as for other laparoscopic procedures. To study this further we decided to review the current literature and the 10-year experience of a surgical group from university teaching hospitals in Montréal, Québec and Toronto in performing laparoscopic colon and rectal surgery. METHODS: The prospectively designed case series comprised all patients having laparoscopic colon and rectal surgery. The procedures were carried out by a group of 4 surgeons between April 1991 and November 2001. We noted intraoperative complications, any conversions to open surgery, operating time, postoperative complications and postoperative length of hospital stay. RESULTS: The group attempted 750 laparoscopic colon and rectal procedures of which 669 were completed laparoscopically. Malignant disease was the indication for surgery in 49.6% of cases. Right hemicolectomy and sigmoid colectomy accounted for 54.5% of procedures performed. Intraoperative complications occurred in 8.3%, with 29.0% of these resulting in conversion to open surgery. The overall rate of conversion to open surgery was 10.8%, most commonly for oncologic concerns. Median operating time was 175 minutes for all procedures. Postoperative complications occurred in 27.5% of procedures completed laparoscopically but were mostly minor wound complications. Pulmonary complications occurred in only 1.0%. The anastomotic leak rate was 2.5%. The early reoperation rate was 2.4%. Postoperative mortality was 2.2%. No port site metastases have yet been detected. The median postoperative length of stay was 5 days. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical outcomes of laparoscopic colon and rectal surgery in this 10-year experience are consistent with numerous cohort studies and randomized clinical trials. Laparoscopic colon and rectal surgery in the hands of well-trained surgeons can be performed safely with short hospital stay, low analgesic requirements and acceptable complication rates compared with historical controls and other reports in the literature. Evidence from published randomized clinical trials is emerging that under these conditions laparoscopic resection represents the better treatment option for most benign conditions, but concerns regarding its appropriateness for malignant disease are still to be resolved.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy: indications and technique.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic splenectomy has become the procedure of choice for those patients who need to have a splenectomy. The skills required to perform a laparoscopic splenectomy are not easy to learn and therefore may limit the availability of this procedure to patients. METHODS: We present a hand-assisted technique that allows the performance of a laparoscopic splenectomy safely and rapidly by surgeons without a great deal of experience with this procedure. RESULTS: A laparoscopic hand-assisted splenectomy was performed by a chief resident who had not performed this procedure before. The operative time was comparable to that of a laparoscopic splenectomy performed by an experienced laparoscopic surgeon at our institution (65 vs 62 min). CONCLUSIONS: The hand-assisted technique is useful in a number of laparoscopic situations. We suggest that hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery might be used as an adjunct for surgeons with limited laparoscopic experience and for residents who are learning advanced laparoscopic skills.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Laparoscopic surgery for renal cancers].

327 patients with renal adenocarcinoma underwent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (n=123), radical open nephrectomy (n=113), laparoscopic partialnephrectomy (n=47) or partial open nephrectomy (n=20) for stage T1 disease. Eighteen patients underwent open radical nephrectomy and six laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for stage T2 and T3 disease. Median tumor size was 9.6 cm after open surgery and 4.1 cm after laparoscopic surgery (p<0.01). Intraoperative blood loss was 254 ml during laparoscopy and 460 ml during open surgery (p<0.01). The hospital stay lasted 4.5 days after laparoscopic surgery and 10 days after open surgery (p<0.01). Complications were the same in the two groups, affecting 21.5 and 27.5% of patients, respectively (NS). Oncological results: stage for stage, the results were identical in the open and laparoscopic groups. The specific actuarial recurrence-free survival rate at 5 years among patients with stage PT1 disease was 97% after open radical nephrectomy and 96.8% after laparoscopic surgery; the corresponding rates were 100% after partial open surgery and 100% after laparoscopic partial surgery. Thus, laparoscopic surgery for renal adenocarcinoma offers identical oncological results to open surgery for patients with non metastatic tumors measuring less than 7 cm. Partial laparoscopic surgery offers the same results as partial open nephrectomy.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for isolated adrenal metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is accepted by many as the standard of care for the majority of adrenal masses less than 8 cm. The question exists whether laparoscopic removal of metastatic lesions to the adrenal is more difficult than laparoscopic removal of primary adrenal lesions. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of all laparoscopic adrenalectomies performed at a single institution from 1998 to 2001, comparing laparoscopic adrenalectomies for primary lesions of the adrenal gland versus isolated metastatic lesions to the adrenal gland. RESULTS: Fourteen laparoscopic adrenalectomies were attempted, 10 for primary disease and 4 for metastatic disease. All 10 laparoscopic procedures were completed successfully for primary disease (average operative time=218 minutes, average tumor size=4 cm, median hospital stay=2 days). Only one of the 4 laparoscopic adrenalectomies for metastatic disease was completed successfully (average operative time=332 minutes, average tumor size=7.3 cm, median hospital stay=2 days). No major complications occurred in either group. CONCLUSIONS: We feel laparoscopic adrenalectomy is the preferred approach for primary adrenal masses less than 8 cm. Based on our experience and a review of the literature, isolated metastatic lesions to the adrenal gland appear less amenable to laparoscopic removal than do primary lesions of the same size.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Factors associated with complications of open versus laparoscopic sigmoid resection for diverticulitis.

BACKGROUND: This study critically reviews sigmoid colon resection for diverticulitis comparing open and laparoscopic techniques. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of all open and laparoscopic cases of diverticulitis between 1992 and 2001. Data analyzed included the following: indications for operation, postoperative complications, and incidence of laparoscopic conversion to laparotomy. Major and minor complications were analyzed in relation to patients' preoperative diagnosis, age, presence or absence of splenic flexure mobilization, length of stay, and laparoscopic sigmoid resection versus open sigmoid resection. RESULTS: Over a 10-year period, 166 resections for diverticulitis were performed including 126 open cases and 40 laparoscopic cases. No significant differences existed in patient characteristics between the groups. Major complications occurred in 14% of patients, and the laparoscopic conversion rate was 20%. The presence of abscess, fistula, or stricture preoperatively was associated with a higher complication rate only in patients > or =50 years old undergoing open sigmoid resection. The length of stay between patients undergoing laparoscopic resection was significantly less than in patients having open resection. CONCLUSION: Advanced laparoscopic sigmoid resection is an alternative to open sigmoid resection in patients with diverticulitis and its complications. Open sigmoid resection in patients >50 years may have a higher complication rate in complicated diverticulitis when compared with laparoscopic sigmoid resection (all patient ages) and open sigmoid resection (patients <50 years old). Regarding complications, no difference existed between the length of stay in patients with open vs. laparoscopic resection.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Comparison of laparoscopic and open nephrectomy for adult polycystic kidney disease: operative challenges and technique.

OBJECTIVES: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease an inherited systemic disorder is characterized by the development of multiple cysts in the kidneys and other organs. When nephrectomy is indicated, the laparoscopic approach is challenging due to the massive size of these kidneys. We present our technique and evaluate the surgical outcomes of laparoscopic versus open nephrectomy for patients with such condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was done for six laparoscopic and six open nephrectomies performed by two laparoscopic surgeons in two university hospitals between January 2004 and December 2004. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data are presented. A standard subcostal incision was used for the open cases while for the laparoscopic approach a 3-4-port transperitoneal laparoscopic approach was used to dissect the involved kidney, which is then removed intact or morcellated through pfannenstiel, midline, or expanded port site incision. RESULTS: The laparoscopic patients had a longer operative time with one major complication compared to the open group. On the other hand laparoscopic group achieved minimal blood loss, less narcotic requirement and a shorter hospital stay. No conversion to open required in the laparoscopy group. At a median follow up of 1 year no long-term complications reported in either groups. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic nephrectomy for polycystic kidney disease is a feasible and safe alternative to open approach. In addition to low morbidity, other advantages of laparoscopic surgery also achieved in this subset of patients such as the ability to remove the dissected kidney through a small incision, reduced postoperative pain, short hospital stay, and excellent cosmesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Complete robot-assisted laparoscopic urologic surgery: a preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: The feasibility and applicability of using surgeon-controlled robotic arms as a substitute for surgical assistants during urologic laparoscopic surgery was assessed. STUDY DESIGN: Seventeen laparoscopic procedures (nephrectomy, n = 4; retroperitoneal lymph node sampling, n = 2; varix ligation, n = 2; pyeloplasty, n = 3; Burch bladder suspension, n = 2; pelvic lymph node dissection, n = 1; orchiopexy, n = 1; ureterolysis, n = 1; and nephropexy, n = 1) were performed by a single laparoscopic surgeon assisted by one or two robotic arms directly controlled by the operating surgeon. One robotic arm controlled the laparoscope and was maneuvered by a foot pedal. The second robotic arm served as a retractor and was manipulated by a hand control. Assessment of robotic positioning, laparoscopic instrument port placement, time for setup and breakdown of the operative field, operative time, outcome, and operative complications were made for each procedure and compared with historical human-assisted laparoscopic procedures. RESULTS: Standard laparoscopic port placement was adequate for use of the robotic arms. All procedures were successfully completed with three minor surgical complications not related to the use of the robotic arm. Robotic arm positioning on the operating room table differed for each type of procedure, yet placement of the robotic arm controlling the laparoscope on the surgeon's side provided optimal surgical views. In three cases, intraoperative bleeding required human assistance for camera control. There was no increase in operating time when the robotic arms were used. There was no difference between the setup and breakdown time for this series of complete robot-assisted procedures when compared with either a nonrobot-assisted series (p > 0.05) or another robotic series completed prior to initiation of this study when no focus was made on setup and breakdown times and in which the robotic arm and human surgical assistant were compared (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We found that simultaneous use of remote controlled robotic arms as surgical assistants is feasible in genitourinary laparoscopic surgery. The potential long-term cost effectiveness of using robotic surgical assistants in laparoscopic surgery highlights the economic impact of this research and warrants further investigation.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Laparoscopic-assisted colorectal surgery: review of results in 752 patients.

I summarize the early results of 652 laparoscopic-assisted colorectal operations published in 16 series and 100 operations done by the author. Operations for colorectal neoplasms accounted for two thirds of the procedures. The average age of patients was 63 years. Operations were performed in men and women with equal frequency. Right hemicolectomies and sigmoid colectomies were the most common operations (65.3%). On average, 77% of attempted procedures were converted to open operations. After the first 20 operations, however, the author maintained approximately a 90% success rate. The average length of operation for 542 successful laparoscopic-assisted operations was 170 minutes (range, 45-540 min). The average number of lymph nodes harvested from 226 laparoscopic specimens was 10.5 (range, 0-35). In 3 institutions, the yield of nodes in 80 laparoscopic specimens was 8.8, and in 88 open specimens, it was 7.5. The need for postoperative parenteral injections was decreased for patients after laparoscopic-assisted colorectal operations compared with open operations. The rate of major complications was 16.7% for 647 attempted laparoscopic-assisted operations, and the rate of mortality was 0.8%. The average length of postoperative stay after 543 successful laparoscopic-assisted colorectal operations was 5.9 days. Among 329 patients treated in private hospitals, the average postoperative length of stay was 4.7 days. The cost of laparoscopic-assisted operations was greater than that of open operations. The total cost of hospitalization for patients undergoing laparoscopic-assisted colorectal operations, however, was less than or approximately equal to that for open colorectal operations. The shortened stay offset the increased cost of operation. These results suggest that following laparoscopic-assisted colorectal operations, patients suffer fewer complications, decreased mortality, less pain, and shortened length of stay than patients after traditional open operations. These data, however, have been compiled from selected patients, and demonstration of these preliminary conclusions will require testing by randomized trials.

Colectomy↗
PubMed1996

Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for renal tumor: the Washington University experience.

PURPOSE: We report our experience with laparoscopic radical nephrectomy in 17 consecutive patients with renal tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical data on 17 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic radical nephrectomy were reviewed. Of the patients 12 with stage pT1 or pT2 renal cell carcinoma 7 cm. in diameter or smaller undergoing laparoscopic radical nephrectomy were compared to 12 undergoing open radical nephrectomy for stage pT1 or pT2 renal cell carcinoma 6 cm. in diameter or smaller. RESULTS: Among the 17 patients undergoing laparoscopic radical nephrectomy average operative time was 6.9 hours (range 4.5 to 9) and average estimated blood loss was 105 cc (range 50 to 600). Average weight of the surgical specimen was 402 gm. (range 190 to 1,100). In 12 of 16 patients in whom laparoscopic radical nephrectomy was completed the specimen was removed intact. The patients required an average of 24 mg. morphine sulfate equivalent (range 2 to 220) for postoperative pain. Average hospital stay was 4.5 days (range 3 to 11) and average interval to resume normal activities was 3.5 weeks (range 2 to 4). The 12 patients in the open and laparoscopic radical nephrectomy groups were similar with respect to age, American Society of Anesthesiologists score and interval surgery. Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy required significantly more operative time than open radical nephrectomy (6.9 versus 2.2 hours, respectively). However, the laparoscopic radical nephrectomy group compared to the open radical nephrectomy group had significantly less postoperative pain (24 versus 40 mg. morphine sulfate equivalent required for postoperative analgesia), shorter interval to resuming oral intake (1 versus 3 days), more rapid discharge from the hospital (4.5 versus 8.4 days) and more rapid return to normal activities (3.5 versus 5.1 weeks). The laparoscopic nephrectomy group also fully recovered more rapidly than the open surgical group (5.8 versus 39 weeks). To date, during a 4-year period there was no retroperitoneal recurrence or seeding of port site. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is a lengthy and demanding procedure. However, it affords patients with renal cell carcinoma a markedly improved postoperative course while accomplishing the necessary surgical goals.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Laparoscopic versus open preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair: a prospective randomised trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Before choosing between open and laparoscopic preperitoneal tension-free repair, a study comparing their safety and short-term outcome was needed. No randomised studies comparing the two hernia repair techniques have hitherto been published. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective randomised study was carried out comparing laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal mesh herniorrhaphy (n = 24) to open preperitoneal mesh herniorrhaphy (n = 25). RESULTS: When comparing unilateral repairs, the mean operation time was significantly (P < 0.01) shorter in the open group (55 min) than in the laparoscopic group (66 min). Pain on movement (P < 0.05) and pain on coughing (P < 0.01) receded more rapidly in the laparoscopic group. The median time before return to work or normal activity was 7 days (range 1-60) in laparoscopic and 5 days (1-30) in open repair. There were five (21%) complications associated with the laparoscopic procedure, while the open procedure resulted in two (8%) complications. After a median follow-up of 18 months the recurrence rate in the laparoscopic group was 13% and in the open group 8%. CONCLUSIONS: In this study the open method was associated with fewer complications and recurrences than the laparoscopic technique. Despite the decreased postoperative discomfort after laparoscopic repair, there was no significant difference in median time before return to work or normal activity. These results together with the higher cost of the laparoscopic procedure suggest that the open method is more suitable at least for unilateral hernias.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

A multicenter randomized comparison of laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy and abdominal hysterectomy in abdominal hysterectomy candidates.

OBJECTIVE: To compare intraoperative and postoperative outcomes between laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy and abdominal hysterectomy among patients who are not eligible for vaginal hysterectomy. METHODS: Study subjects were randomly assigned to undergo laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy or standard abdominal hysterectomy. Intraoperative and postoperative management was similar for each group. Surgical characteristics, complications, length of hospital stay, charges, and convalescence were analyzed. RESULTS: Sixty-five women at three institutions underwent laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (n = 34) or abdominal hysterectomy (n = 31). Three patients in the laparoscopic group required conversion to abdominal hysterectomy. Mean operating time was significantly longer for laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (179.8 versus 146.0 minutes). There were no differences in blood loss or incidence of intraoperative complications. There was a higher incidence of wound complications in the abdominal hysterectomy group, but no significant difference in the frequency of postoperative complications. Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy required a significantly shorter mean hospital stay (2.1 days) and convalescence (28.0 days) than abdominal hysterectomy (4.1 days and 38.0 days, respectively). There were no significant differences in mean hospital charges between the study groups (laparoscopic $8161, abdominal $6974). CONCLUSION: Except for operating time, there are no differences between laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy and abdominal hysterectomy regarding intraoperative characteristics among abdominal hysterectomy candidates. Postoperatively, laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy requires a shorter hospital stay and convalescence. Hospital charges are similar between the procedures. A larger number of cases will help determine the indications for laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed by a single surgeon using a visual field tracking camera: early experience.

BACKGROUND: This report describes a visual field tracking camera for laparoscopic surgery that allows the visual field to be changed without moving the laparoscope. We also report on our early experience with this camera for single-surgeon laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: The visual field tracking camera has a tracking mechanism (composed of a zoom lens and a charge-coupled device [CCD] slide mechanism) built into the camera head. The 80 degrees visual field observed with the laparoscope can be expanded using the zoom lens, and the field can be shifted by changing the size of the area being viewed by the CCD. This is accomplished by pushing a switch on the forceps or by verbal command. Cholecystectomy was carried out on 12 patients with gallstones using this camera. The operations were performed by either a single surgeon or two surgeons. Forceps held with a forceps holder were inserted through the right port to lift the fundus of the gallbladder. The single surgeon used the other two ports to resect the gallbladder by the two-handed technique. RESULTS: In all cases, cholecystectomy was completed without any need to move the laparoscope at any point during the operation. Seven operations were performed by a single surgeon. Mainly for education purposes, five other operations were performed by a pair of surgeons. The mean time required for surgery was 76 +/- 17 min. This time did not differ from that of laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed during the same period on 22 patients by teams of three surgeons using conventional cameras. CONCLUSIONS: Using the visual field tracking camera, laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be performed without any need to touch the laparoscope. This camera allowed laparoscopic cholecystectomy to be performed by a single surgeon.

Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic↗
PubMed1998

Incidence of deep vein thrombosis after laparoscopic vs minilaparotomy cholecystectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) associated with minimally invasive cholecystectomy and to determine, using minilaparotomy cholecystectomy as a control operation, the influence of the laparoscopic pneumoperitoneum on DVT formation. DESIGN: Prospective nonrandomized control trial. SETTING: Tertiary care university hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred consecutive patients intended to undergo either laparoscopic cholecystectomy (59 patients) or minilaparotomy cholecystectomy (41 patients) with either of 2 surgeons were prospectively enrolled between April 1996 and April 1997. The minilaparotomy cholecystectomy group served as controls to isolate the effect of the pneumoperitoneum. Patient details, operative details, and any thromboembolic or bleeding complications were recorded. The same thromboprophylaxis regimen was prescribed for each group; namely, preoperative and postoperative subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), graduated compression stockings, and intraoperative intermittent calf compression. INTERVENTION: Minimally invasive cholecystectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Frequency of DVT. Bilateral lower limb venous color duplex scanning was used to detect DVT. Scans were performed on 3 occasions: (1) preoperatively on admission to hospital, (2) on the first postoperative day, and (3) between 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: Three patients in the laparoscopic group and 2 patients in the minilaparotomy group underwent conversion to conventional open cholecystectomy. There were no significant differences between patients in the 2 groups for age, sex, body mass index, preoperative white blood cell count, platelet count, prothrombin time, or activated partial thromboplastin time. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups for elective vs emergency operations, public hospital vs private hospital admissions, or consultant vs resident surgeon. Macroscopic gallbladder pathology grades for both groups were not significantly different, and there was no significant difference in the duration of postoperative hospital stay. Operative cholangiography was performed in a significantly larger proportion of laparoscopic cases (86% vs 66% in the minilaparotomy group; chi(2) test, P=.002), and the duration of anesthesia was significantly longer for the laparoscopic operation (118 minutes vs 98 minutes; t test, P=.05). Ninety-seven patients received preoperative LMWH and all patients received graduated compression stockings, intraoperative intermittent calf compression, and postoperative LMWH. Two of the 100 patients had postoperative DVT, 1 after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 1 after minilaparotomy cholecystectomy. Both DVTs were detected by duplex examination on the first postoperative day. The DVT found after laparoscopic cholecystectomy was in 1 of the 3 patients who did not receive preoperative LMWH. There were no DVTs in any of the 40 patients who had an additional duplex scan between 2 and 4 weeks after operation. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the theoretical risk of thromboembolic disease due to use of the laparoscopic pneumoperitoneum, the frequency of DVT after either laparoscopic cholecystectomy or minilaparotomy cholecystectomy is low if adequate thromboprophylaxis is provided.

Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic↗
PubMed1994

Sequential psychomotor skills development in laparoscopic colon surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To quantify the complexity of each of three skills used in laparoscopic colon surgery and to quantify the relative complexity of seven laparoscopic colon procedures on a graduated complexity scale. DESIGN: Five surgeons used a scale of 1 through 6 to measure the relative complexity of three laparoscopic skills (intracorporeal mobilization, intracorporeal devascularization, and intracorporeal anastomosis) to assess the relative difficulty of seven laparoscopic procedures (right colon resection, sigmoid colon resection, low anterior resection, Hartmann's procedure, left colon resection, abdominoperineal resection, and transverse colon resection) using detailed evaluation of their first 100 laparoscopic colon resections. SETTING: Three private community hospitals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The complexities of intracorporeal mobilization, intracorporeal devascularization, and intracoporeal anastomosis were recorded for seven laparoscopic colon procedures. RESULTS: The least complex procedure was right colon resection, followed in increasing complexity by sigmoid colon, Hartmann's procedure, low anterior resection, abdominoperineal resection, left colon resection, and transverse colon resection. The addition of each laparoscopic skill increased the complexity during each procedure. All three skills were not required for every procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Since all procedures do not require all three skills, skills can be learned sequentially if patients are chosen judiciously. A sequence of laparoscopic procedures performed by surgeons is recommended. The relative complexities for each procedure suggest an outline (map) for surgeons to use during laparoscopic colon surgery.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1994

Evaluation of the cost of laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy.

Despite the rapid growth of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the comparative costs of this new procedure and open cholecystectomy remain unknown. In this study the costs have been evaluated of a consecutive series of patients undergoing these procedures in a district general hospital with an established resource management centre. Fifty consecutive patients undergoing open cholecystectomy between June 1988 and July 1990 immediately before the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 100 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy between August 1990 and June 1992 were studied. Costs estimated prospectively for each patient were compared. The mean cost per patient of open cholecystectomy was estimated at 2102 pounds compared with 2026 pounds for the first 50 patients undergoing the laparoscopic procedure. The mean cost (1744 pounds) for the second 50 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy was less than that for either open cholecystectomy (P < 0.005) or the initial 50 laparoscopic operations (P < 0.03). Operating theatre costs and equipment costs were higher in both laparoscopic groups. These were offset by the higher nursing and ward costs of open cholecystectomy. For the laparoscopic procedure the operating theatre times and duration of hospital stay were both less in the second 50 patients than in the first 50. After the initial learning period, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is less expensive than the open operation and represents a cost-effective method for treatment of the patient with gallstones.

Adult↗