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PubMed2000

Persistent occurrence of bradycardia during laparoscopic cholecystectomies in low-risk patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A debate has arisen about the use of carbon dioxide to distend the abdomen because of certain negative effects on venous return to the heart, and declining cardiac output. We previously reported 4 cases of bradycardia that occurred during 725 laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Now, we describe 6 cases of bradycardia that occurred in a 1-year period (May 31, 1997 to June 1, 1998) during CO(2) pneumoinsufflation at the beginning of planned, elective laparoscopic cholecystectomies. These patients appeared not to be at any special cardiac risk. To determine the frequency, and possible underlying common denominators, we reviewed the laparoscopic cholecystectomies. METHODS: We completely reviewed the patients' records to find any common denominators. Also, we calculated the frequency of bradycardia during laparoscopic cholecystectomies. RESULTS: Six patients experienced bradycardia during laparoscopic cholecystectomies. None had known cardiac disease or symptoms. These cases occurred during the year's 127 laparoscopic cholecystectomies (4.7% approximately). There were no common denominators between the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although cardiac changes were noted during laparoscopic gynecologic surgery approximately 20 years ago, only in the last few years have cardiovascular changes been noted during laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Surgeons should be prepared to encounter such cardiovascular changes even with low-risk patients as it appears that bradycardia is a persistent occurrence during laparoscopic cholecystectomies.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Comparison of laparoscopic sonography with surgical pathology in the evaluation of pelvic lymph nodes in women with cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared laparoscopic sonography with surgical pathology in the evaluation of pelvic lymph nodes in women with cervical cancer. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Intraoperative laparoscopic sonography of pelvic lymph nodes was performed in 31 women with biopsy-proven cervical cancer. A lymph node that was rounded (longitudinal-transverse axis ratio of <2) or showed absence of central hilum was defined as positive for metastasis. For comparison, lymph nodes from each hemipelvis were grouped anatomically into paraaortic, common, internal, and external iliac chains during evaluation on laparoscopic sonography and on surgical pathologic examination. RESULTS: Pelvic dissection in 31 women yielded 630 lymph nodes. There were 54 metastatic nodes in 12 women. Laparoscopic sonography revealed 32 (59%) of all pathologically metastatic lymph nodes. Sensitivity on laparoscopic sonography when comparing groups by hemipelves was 93.3% and by anatomic lymph node chains was 76.2%. Metastatic nodes were most commonly located in the common iliac region and were characteristically rounded, hypoechoic, showed absence of central hilum, and occasionally showed central necrosis. Nine (28%) of 32 metastatic lymph nodes revealed by laparoscopic sonography measured 1 cm or less. Six benign nodes in four patients were also visualized with laparoscopic sonography. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic sonography achieved a sensitivity exceeding 90% in the detection of metastatic lymph nodes in the hemipelves of women with cervical cancer. Laparoscopic sonography is a feasible and promising technique for the evaluation of pelvic lymph nodes in women with cervical cancer and merits further evaluation.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A trend for reduced 15-day wound infection and 6 months' mortality in laparoscopic relative to open cholecystectomy: the Israeli Study of Surgical Infections.

OBJECTIVE: To utilize a naturally occurring "experiment," when introduction to laparoscopic cholecystectomy occurred in Israel; to compare the concurrent outcomes (wound infection and mortality) of laparoscopic versus open cholecystectomy; to adjust for patients' characteristics and procedural factors while making the comparisons. DESIGN: Multicenter prospective follow up, including patients' interviews prior to the operation, daily information on postoperative care, a summary of the operation report and postdischarge telephone interview 15 days after surgery. SETTINGS: A sample of 100 consecutive cholecystectomy patients from all 20 acute-care hospitals in the country, where such operations were performed. PATIENTS: 1,785 consecutive patients during 1991 and 1992; 1,184 had open cholecystectomy, and 601 had laparoscopic cholecystectomy. RESULTS: Crude wound infection rates at 15 days were 2.3% for laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 6.3% for open cholecystectomy (odds ratio [OR], 2.8; P < .001). Crude mortality rates at 6 months were 0.17% and 3.0% for laparoscopic and open procedures, respectively (OR, 18.5; P < .004). Logistic models for infection and mortality were used to adjust for case-mix and procedural factors in the comparisons between the two operations. Adjusted ORs for open versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy were 1.9 (P = .06) for wound infection and 4.3 (P = .17) for mortality. Stratification of patients on the basis of the models into high- and low-risk strata indicated that the protective effect of laparoscopic cholecystectomy was mainly evident in the high-risk group: 1.8% versus 8.3% (P < .001) for 15-day infections and 0.6% versus 4.4% (P = .017) for 6 months mortality. CONCLUSION: We conclude that, although the P values for the adjusted comparisons were of borderline significance (due to the small number of deaths in the laparoscopic group), our results suggest advantageous outcomes for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, especially among the high-risk patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy vs. abdominal hysterectomy in a community hospital. A cost comparison.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility for an institution to offer laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy as a cost-effective alternative to total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) in a managed care environment. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study in which 138 consecutive laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomies performed between December 1992 and May 1996 were reviewed and compared to 354 consecutive TAHs performed during the same period. Operating time, use of operative room supplies, length of stay and actual total, fixed and variable costs of each case were calculated for the entire hospital stay and for each hospital cost center. Differences between costs were analyzed by ANCOVA using age, patient weight, specimen weight and number of operative procedures performed at the time of hysterectomy as covariants. RESULTS: The mean operative room time was significantly greater for laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy than for TAH (167.4 [SD 51.2] vs. 103 minutes [30.3, P < .001]). In contrast, length of stay was significantly shorter for laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy than for TAH (0.8 [SD 1.1] vs. 3.4 days [.9, P < .001]). The adjusted mean costs of both operative room time and supplies were significantly higher for laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy than for TAH (P < .001). In contrast, the mean cost of length of stay for laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy was significantly lower (P < .001). However, the adjusted mean total costs of the entire hospital stay were not significantly different: $2,716 for laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy vs. $2,702 for TAH (F = .7, P = .8). The absence of significant differences between procedures resulted from our limited use of disposable supplies (no automated stapling device) and from shorter lengths of stay, which compensated well for the higher operative room costs of time and supplies incurred with laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy is, at least in the short term, a cost-effective alternative to TAH in a managed care environment.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Laparoscopic surgery in Norway].

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic procedures in gastrointestinal surgery have increasingly been used over the last ten years. This study explores the use of various common laparoscopic procedures in Norway. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to all 59 public hospitals in Norway in January 1999, of which all but one responded. Laparoscopic surgery was performed in 54 out of 58 hospitals. RESULTS: Most hospitals perform between 11 and 20% of all gastrointestinal operations with laparoscopic technique. Laparoscopic cholecystectomies and anti-reflux surgery have generally replaced open procedures in all hospitals. Appendectomy by the laparoscopic technique accounts for approximately 10% of cases and has become the preferred technique in only one of ten hospitals. Laparoscopic hernia repairs are done in less than 10% of cases. Overall, surgeons' satisfaction with laparoscopy is good and seems slightly higher in district and central hospitals than in university hospitals. Half of all surgical departments plan to use more laparoscopic procedures. INTERPRETATION: Laparoscopic procedures have replaced conventional open surgical procedures for some procedures but is less used than expected ten years ago. A slow and gradual increase may be expected in the years ahead.

Appendectomy↗
PubMed2003

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy--accessory bile ducts].

INTRODUCTION: Modern medical technology (ultrasonography, intraoperative radiologic contrast methods, ERC, CT and NMR) help in performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy and operative procedures on bile ducts. The safe performance of these operative procedures requires good knowledge of clinical anatomy. In spite of excellent laparoscopic visualization, perioperative lesions of vascular structures or extrahepatic (especially accessory) bile ducts during laparoscopic cholecystectomy are a frequent cause of intra- and postoperative complications. Therefore, we wish to point to the potential risk of running into accessory bile ducts on dissection within or around the cystohepatic triangle, which may entail some overlooked and untreated lesions. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Accessory bile ducts originate from the liver parenchyma and may enter a large bile duct or gallbladder at any location, or can directly enter the intestine. The accessory bile ducts encountered on cholecystectomy or bile duct procedure call for special attention. We found accessory bile ducts in 13 (0.52%) patients during the procedure of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. There are three groups of 'risky' accessory bile ducts that can be encountered during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Group I includes accessory bile ducts encountered on gallbladder removal from its support: 1) Luschka's subvesical accessory bile duct was found in six (46.1%) patients. A lesion to these ducts was intraoperatively observed in three (23.1%) patients, whereas in another three (23.1%) patients it was only detected and treated on reoperation; 2) the hepatocystic bile duct enters gallbladder directly from liver parenchyma, in the area of the gallbladder lobe. A hepatocystic accessory bile duct was identified during one (7.7%) laparoscopic cholecystectomy, when the duct lumen was observed on the gallbladder removal from the lobe, and another one (7.7%) was only identified on reoperation. Group II comprises accessory bile ducts encountered during dissection in the cystohepatic triangle, between the two hepatovesical plicae: 1) the hepatocystic accessory bile duct runs from liver parenchyma into the cystic duct within the cystohepatic triangle. Bile leak from a bile duct approaching the cystic duct immediately below the clip was observed on reoperation in one (7.7%) patient; 2) the hepatohepatic accessory bile duct drains a part of the liver and runs into the common hepatic duct within the cystohepatic triangle. During one (7.7%) dissection, another delicate bile duct originating from liver parenchyma was detected upon cystic duct clipping. Bile leak from a bile duct running into the common bile duct before entering the properly occluded cystic duct was observed on one (7.7%) reoperation; 3) anastomotic accessory bile ducts connect cystic duct with the common hepatic duct, or connect gallbladder, which has its own cystic duct, with the common hepatic duct or right hepatic duct. In our laparoscopic practice, we did not encounter this type of accessory bile ducts. Group III includes accessory bile ducts observed in the laparoscopic operative field, beyond the cystohepatic triangle, during cholecystectomy and bile duct procedures: 1) the hepatocystic accessory bile duct leaves liver parenchyma and enters the gallbladder at various sites. Stumps of two such accessory bile ducts (15.4%) were detected on reoperation. One entered the gallbladder below the cystic duct entry, and the other approached the gallbladder from above. RESULTS: Reoperation following laparoscopic cholecystectomy was required in 15 (0.6%) patients. In eight (53.3%) of these, the reason for reoperation was untreated lesion of accessory bile duct in eight (53.3%), other untreated minor lesions of the cystic duct in five (33.3%), and lesions of the hepatocystic duct in two (13.3%) patients. Out of the eight patients reoperated on for untreated lesion of accessory bile duct, reoperation was indicated by external biliary secretion by drain for more than 7 days in three (37.5%), and by the development of biliary peritonitis with the symptom of pain in five (62.5%) patients. Right-sided shoulder pain and elevated body temperature were recorded in two (40.0%) patients each, whereas abdominal distension with pronounced local defense and hyperbilirubinemia were observed in four (80.0%) patients each. A combination of these symptoms was present in the majority of patients. The prevalence of symptoms was consistent with literature reports. Of the eight patients reoperated on for lesions of accessory bile ducts, the lesion was managed by repeat laparoscopy procedure in five (62.5%) and by laparotomy in three (37.5%) patients. There was no mortality. CONCLUSION: Besides technical skill and experience, good knowledge of the clinical anatomy of accessory bile ducts is required to reduce the incidence of postoperative biliary secretion. Based on our own experience, lesions to accessory bile ducts are the most common cause of postoperative complications.

Bile Ducts↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Gallstones and laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

The National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference on Gallstones and Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy brought together surgeons, endoscopists, hepatologists, gastroenterologists, internists, radiologists, and epidemiologists as well as other health care professionals and the public to address (1) the indications for treatment of patients with gallstones; (2) the role of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in treating patients with gallstones; (3) the role of alternative medical and surgical treatments for gallstones; (4) the comparative results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy with open cholecystectomy and other available treatments; (5) techniques for detecting and treating bile duct stones with or without laparoscopic cholecystectomy; and (6) future directions for research in prevention and management of gallstone disease and in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Following 2 days of presentations by experts and extensive discussion by the audience, a consensus panel weighed the evidence and prepared their consensus statement. Among their findings, the panel concluded that (1) most patients who experience symptoms of gallstones should be treated; (2) in comparison with open cholecystectomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy provides a safe and effective treatment for most patients with symptomatic gallstones and has become the treatment of choice for many patients; (3) patients who are not good candidates for laparoscopic cholecystectomy include those with generalized peritonitis, septic shock from cholangitis, severe acute pancreatitis, endstage cirrhosis, and gallbladder cancer; (4) laparoscopic cholecystectomy decreases pain and disability without increasing mortality and morbidity and can be performed at an equal or lower cost than open cholecystectomy; and (5) every effort should be made to ensure that surgeons performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy are properly trained and credentialed. The full text of the consensus panel's statement follows.

Bile Acids and Salts↗
PubMed1994

[The laparoscopic treatment of common bile duct lithiasis].

Nowadays the laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the main surgical therapy in the treatment of cholecysto-lithiasis. At the beginning the treatment of cholecysto-choledochal lithiasis was the sequential endoscopic-laparoscopic therapy. In fact, the endoscopic sphincterotomy allows transpapillary ablation of Common Bile Duct (CBD) stones, and the laparoscopic cholecystectomy completes the therapy. Recently we have brought the full-laparoscopic of CBD lithiasis. This has become possible on account of an improved intraoperative laparoscopic diagnostics and a better technical experience of the laparoscopic surgeon. Intraoperative examination of CBD requires suitable instruments: cholangiography is still a basic examination and now is easily performed in laparoscopy without a considerable increase of the surgical time; choledochoscopy allows an intraluminal inspection of completes the examination, supplying further detailed information. Afterwards the laparoscopic approach allows the transcystic ablation of stones, using a Dormia probe or through a choledochotomy, but is previously required for the surgeon a high-level operative and technical ability about laparoscopic surgery, in order to perform an excellent preparation of the CBD and precise stitches, making knots with extra corporeal or intra-abdominal technique. Clinical results in patients until now fully-laparoscopic treated are quite good and encourage the CBD lithiasis therapy by a mini-invasive approach, which has the advantage that's not requested the sacrifice of a sound papilla.

Cholangiography↗
PubMed1994

[Laparoscopic interventions in previously operated patients].

This prospective study investigates the technical feasibility and the potential advantage of laparoscopic operative techniques in patients following previous surgery. Data were obtained from a group of patients following previous surgery who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, explorative laparoscopy, laparoscopic adhesiolysis, or laparoscopic procedures on the intestinal tract; all of these patients presented intraabdominal adhesions leading to a change of the originally intended operative procedure. 240 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy without previous surgery or with previous surgery but without relevant adhesions represented the control group. Endpoints of investigation were duration of operation, post-operative hospitalization, intra- and postoperative complications, and postoperative quality of life. A total of 370 patients was followed after laparoscopic procedures. With an equal distribution of complications in both groups a higher percentage of calculated and emergency conversions was found in the group of patients following previous surgery; these conversions did not lead to a larger ratio of complications. The patients' postoperative quality of life, recorded by means of a complaint score, was equal in both groups. These results show that "previous abdominal surgery" does not represent a contraindication for laparoscopic surgery and that patients following previous surgery will profit from laparoscopic operations to the same extent as already proven for patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures without previous surgery.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1994

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in England and Wales: results of an audit by the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

The results of an audit of open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy conducted by the Comparative Audit Service of The Royal College of Surgeons of England are presented. Data were submitted by 124 consultant surgeons on 3319 attempted laparoscopic and by 227 consultant surgeons on 8035 open cholecystectomies performed in England and Wales during the 2 years 1990 and 1991. These were contrasted with 9322 attempted laparoscopic cholecystectomies reported in 21 series reported in the world literature between 1991 and 1992, and with five other nations' audit studies. Among attempted laparoscopic cases, conversion to an open procedure was necessary in 175/3319 (5.2%) of cases and overall mortality was 0.15% (5/3319). Major complications were reported in 2.1% and minor complications in 5.9% of cases. Bile duct injury was reported to be significantly more common after attempted laparoscopic cholecystectomy (11/3319, 0.33%) than after open cholecystectomy (4/8035, 0.06%) (95% confidence intervals -0.48 to 0.08), but it was not significantly different from that reported for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the combined world literature (28/9322, 0.3%) (95% confidence intervals -0.19 to 0.25). Most systemic complications were significantly more common after open cholecystectomy. For open cholecystectomy, the mortality was 55/8035 (0.76%), with major complications reported in 3.2% and minor complications in 9.8% of patients. Adoption of the laparoscopic approach was associated with a four-fifths reduction in the mortality of cholecystectomy, and a 40% reduction in the overall complication rate when compared with the open operation. While laparoscopic cholecystectomy has an impressively low mortality and morbidity profile during the first 2 years of its introduction into the UK, prevention of bile duct injury is the most important issue to be addressed in all laparoscopic cholecystectomy training programmes.

Bile Ducts↗
PubMed1993

Diaphragmatic function before and after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Diaphragm dysfunction is a primary cause of ventilatory impairment after upper abdominal surgery. Laparoscopic procedures may result in less dysfunction. To test this, diaphragmatic function was studied in ten healthy adult patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy and in five undergoing laparoscopic hernia repair. METHODS: Respiratory gas exchange, ventilation, and breathing pattern were measured before and 3 h after surgery. Respiratory drive was evaluated from the relationship of P0.1 to end-tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO2) during tidal breathing. Diaphragm contractile function was assessed from maximal transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdimax), and Pdi during a maximal sniff maneuver (Pdisniff). RESULTS: Oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production did not change after surgery. Pdimax decreased by more than 50% in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group, but Pdisniff did not change. Tidal volume and the ratio of inspiratory time over total cycle time decreased by 30% and 13%, respectively, PETCO2 increased by 9%, and minute ventilation did not change. In contrast, there was no variation in ventilatory function in patients undergoing laparoscopic hernia repair. In both groups, P0.1 did not change, which excludes depressed respiratory drive as an explanation for the decreased Pdimax in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Contractile failure of the diaphragm was discounted as well, because Pdisniff did not change, even in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group. CONCLUSIONS: Although laparoscopic cholecystectomy does not increase metabolic demands in the early postoperative period, it impairs diaphragm function. The internal site of surgical intervention appears to be the critical variable determining diaphragmatic inhibition after laparoscopic abdominal surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Management of choledocholithiasis encountered during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

To evaluate the prevailing methods of management and assess the safety of laparoscopic treatment of choledocholithiasis, a retrospective review of all common bile duct explorations (CBDE) initiated during laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the Medical College of Georgia was performed. From December 1990 until December 1994, 604 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed. In 28 of these patients (26 female, 2 male) with an age range of 17 to 60 years, CBDE was initiated; 21 were performed laparoscopically, and 7 were converted to open CBDE. The procedure was successful in completely clearing the duct of stones in 24 of 28 cases (17 laparoscopic, 7 open). Postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was successfully employed in three of the cases of retained stones, and in the fourth, the stone was felt to be small enough to pass without further intervention. Biliary balloon catheters were successfully used to clear the duct in 8 of 17 laparoscopic CBDEs, and a laparoscopic choledochoscope introduced through the cystic duct was used in 7 cases; both were used in 2 cases. The open CBDEs were performed in standard fashion utilizing balloon catheters and choledochoscopy. The only operative complications were the four above-mentioned cases of retained stones. In summary, choledocholithiasis encountered during the course of laparoscopic cholecystectomy can frequently be managed with a laparoscopic CBDE.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy: appraisal of a cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety and effectiveness of individualized laparoscopic herniorrhaphy and to compare its intraoperative cost to that of the standard Bassini operation. DESIGN: An analytic cohort study. SETTING: A university teaching hospital. PATIENTS: One group of 158 patients underwent 167 laparoscopic herniorrhaphies for symptomatic groin hernias. The approach was transabdominal preperitoneal for the first 124 patients and totally preperitoneal for the last 34 patients. A second group of 50 patients underwent a conventional Bassini operation. INTERVENTION: Individualized laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy or Bassini herniorrhaphy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Complications and recurrences encountered in the laparoscopic group. Total operative time and intraoperative cost involved in both procedures. Analgesia required in each group during the first 2 postoperative days. RESULTS: Intra- and postoperative complications of the laparoscopic approach were not life threatening. The recurrence rate at a mean follow-up of 16.8 months was 1.2%. Total operative time was significantly (p < 0.001) longer in the laparoscopy group than in the Bassini group. Patients in the Bassini group took more parenteral analgesics than those in the laparoscopy group (p = 0.02), but there was no difference with respect to the number of times enteral analgesics were required (p = 0.32). Use of mesh and staples was more expensive than sutures alone inserted laparoscopically. The Bassini procedure was a less expensive procedure than laparoscopic herniorrhaphy. CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopic treatment of groin hernias is safe. The recurrence rate is low. Primary unilateral inguinal hernias could be adequately treated at a lesser cost by a standard approach. Bilateral, recurrent and femoral hernias could benefit from a laparoscopic approach.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Laparoscopic splenectomy in childhood hematologic disorders.

Laparoscopic splenectomy is a new technique that is being utilized in patients with a variety of mostly hematologic disorders. Its application in children has not been extensively documented. Between January 1994 and February 1995, 11 children less than 15 years of age underwent elective laparoscopic splenectomy. Data collected from this treatment group were compared to that from the ten most recent open splenectomy patients with comparable hematologic disorders. All procedures in both groups were successful in relief of symptoms, increase in platelet count, and/or increase in hematocrit. Operative times averaged 147 mm in the laparoscopic group, compared to 112 mm in the open group. Estimated blood loss was 32 ml in the laparoscopic group and 86 ml in the open group. Days to laparoscopic patient discharge were 3.6, compared to 5.3 days in the open group. There were no wound complications or need for perioperative platelet transfusions in the laparoscopic patients. Patient response has been uniformly positive in the laparoscopic group. Reusable access trocars are utilized for two of the four working ports. Stapling devices and special tissue morselizers are not required. There are no additional operating room or surgeons fees incurred in the laparoscopic procedures. This series demonstrates that laparoscopic splenectomy is a safe, cost-efficient alternative to open splenectomy in children with a variety of hematologic disorders.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Laparoscopic surgery in patients over 75 years of age].

Laparoscopic surgery in over-75-year-olds. Surgery in the elderly is becoming increasingly frequent and in some series accounts for around 40% of operations performed. Morbidity and mortality are still high in relation to the type of surgery and anesthesiological risk, with complications linked above all to respiratory and thromboembolic pathologies. The use of a laparoscopic technique in elective and emergency digestive tract surgery may reduce the problems linked to the onset of cardiorespiratory failures and parietal infections. This prospective study aims to evaluate the results of laparoscopic surgery in over-75-year-old patients hospitalised in the Department of Laparoscopic Surgery at Bellvitge Hospital compared to data reported in the literature. Out of 379 patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery, 32 were over-75-year-olds (range 75-89). Ten patients had been diagnosed with gallstones, 9 with acute cholecystitis, 10 with biliary pancreatitis, 2 with iatal hernia and 1 with cancer of the sigma. A total of 29 cholecystectomies were performed, of which 10 in association with pancreatic drainage, 2 Nissen and one left hemicolectomy. Overall mortality was 6.2% following the death of 2 patients: 1 patient, who had been admitted for acute cholecystitis and had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy, presented an acute pulmonary edema three days after surgery with cardiac tamponade which represented the cause of death; another patient, admitted for acute biliary pancreatitis, presented a cerebral thromboembolism on the sixth day after surgery leading to death. Other complications included: parietal abscess, basal atelectasis, 2 residual choledochal calculosis and one case of external biliary fistula, with an overall mortality of 9.3%. The results reported in the literature do not report extensive series of over-75-year-olds undergoing laparoscopic surgery. Some authors report high percentages of laparotomic conversion, others a slightly higher morbidity rate with nil mortality. The present results are comparable to those of other authors with regard to the lower morbidity (3.1%) of laparoscopic compared to laparotomic (18.3%) surgery in elderly, high-risk patients. Even if the present series is relatively small (32 patients), the results obtained encourage the use of laparoscopic techniques in over-75-year-old patients so as to reduce mortality and morbidity compared to conventional surgery.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1997

[Progress in laparoscopic sigmoid resection in elective surgical therapy of sigmoid diverticulitis].

The full significance of laparoscopic technique in elective surgery of sigmoid diverticulitis has yet to be determined. However, it seems worthwhile to evaluate how minimally invasive surgery could be integrated into the surgical treatment of diverticulitis disease. Between January 1995 and August 1996, 26 patients with sigmoid diverticulitis underwent elective surgery. Following diagnostic laparoscopy, seven patients were treated with primary conventional resection, 15 patients with laparoscopic resection and four patients with laparoscopic-assisted surgery. One laparoscopic resection had to be converted to a median laparotomy. Postoperative complications (n = 2) only appeared in the group of conventional resections. Conventional resections required less time than laparoscopic or laparoscopic-assisted resections, but postoperatively, patients with laparoscopic resection were able to defecate sooner and required a shorter hospital stay. For 60% of the patients with diverticulitis disease of the colon, elective laparoscopic resection may prove to be the best alternative of surgical treatment. In selected patients it is a sound technique with a low complication rate. We recommend that all patients with diverticulitis disease requiring elective surgery undergo diagnostic laparoscopy to determine whether or not laparoscopic resection is a viable option.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Transition from open to laparoscopic fundoplication: the learning curve.

BACKGROUND: Two of us (B.C.S. and C.W.D.) began performing laparoscopic fundoplication in 1992. We have always designated the resident as the operating surgeon. OBJECTIVE: To determine the time necessary for both experienced surgeons and residents to become proficient in laparoscopic fundoplication. DESIGN: The medical records of 241 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic fundoplication were reviewed. This period started with the implementation of the procedure in January 1992 and ended in March 1998. For 3 consecutive years, residents were given a questionnaire regarding their confidence in performing laparoscopic fundoplication. RESULTS: Laparoscopic fundoplication was attempted in 241 patients and completed in 203 patients (84%). Comparing the first 25 attempted laparoscopic fundoplications with the second 25, there were 14 conversions (56%) vs 4 conversions (16%) (P<.01). Average operative times decreased from 236 to 199 minutes (P<.05), and the intraoperative complication rates were 5 (20%) and 1 (4%), respectively. Subsequently, the conversion rate stabilized at 2%. The operative time continued to decline to an average of 99 minutes for the last 25 laparoscopies. Senior residents and recent graduates returning the questionnaire performed an average of 112 laparoscopic procedures, including 15.7 laparoscopic fundoplications. They felt comfortable with the procedure after performing an average of 10.6 operations. CONCLUSIONS: The learning curve is very steep for the first 25 laparoscopic fundoplications for experienced surgeons. However, improvements, as judged by decreases in operative time, conversion rate, and intraoperative complications, continue to occur after 100 cases. Under supervision, residents can become comfortable with this procedure after about 10 to 15 procedures.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed2002

Short-term outcomes of laparoscopic and open ventral hernia repair: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although laparoscopic repair of ventral hernia has become increasingly popular, its outcomes relative to open repair have not been well characterized. For this reason, we performed a meta-analysis of studies comparing open and laparoscopic ventral (including incisional) hernia repair. HYPOTHESIS: Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair results in better short-term outcomes than open ventral hernia repair. DATA SOURCES: Structured MEDLINE search for published studies. One unpublished study was also identified. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were selected on the basis of study design (comparison of laparoscopic and open ventral hernia repair). The 3 main outcome measures were perioperative complications, operative time, and length of hospital stay. Of 83 potential studies identified by abstract review, 8 (10%) met the inclusion criteria. DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers assessed each article to determine eligibility for inclusion and, where appropriate, abstracted information on patient characteristics and main outcome measures. DATA SYNTHESIS: Across 8 studies, 390 patients underwent open repair and 322 underwent laparoscopic repair. Perioperative complications were less than half as likely to occur in patients undergoing laparoscopic repair (14% vs 27%; P =.03; odds ratio, 0.42; 95% confidence interval, 0.29-0.68). Average length of stay was shorter in the laparoscopic group (2.0 vs 4.0 days; P =.02). No statistically significant difference in operative times was noted between laparoscopic and open repair (99 vs 96 minutes; P =.38). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair offers lower complication rates and shorter length of stay than open repair. However, randomized controlled trials and studies with long-term follow-up are needed to confirm these findings and to assess long-term rates of hernia recurrence.

Confidence Intervals↗