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PubMed1997

Laparoscopic surgery in Crohn's disease.

In a prospective study the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic-assisted ileocaecal resection for Crohn's disease was studied and compared with 16 patients who had open ileocaecal resection, and the value of laparoscopic stoma surgery was assessed. From January to November 1995 laparoscopic-assisted ileocaecal resection for Crohn's disease was undertaken in 7 patients, laparoscopic-assisted stoma formation in 10 patients. In 1 patient laparoscopic ileocaecal resection was converted to open surgery due to an unrecognised ileocolic fistula. Operating time in laparoscopic-assisted ileocaecal resections was longer than in open ileocaecal resection (150 vs. 127 min, P = 0.7). Blood loss (386 vs. 445 ml, P = 0.7), first bowel movement (3.5 vs. 4.9 postoperative days, P = 0.07) and postoperative time to discharge (5.2 vs. 9.9 days, P < 0.01) in patients who had a laparoscopic-assisted ileocaecal resection were less than in patients who had open surgery. In all 10 patients laparoscopic formation of a stoma was possible. Operating time was 62 min. Oral solids were restored on the 1.5 postoperative day. Mean postoperative stay was 8.8 days, prolonged due to time needed for stoma-care training. These preliminary results indicate that laparoscopic-assisted ileocaecal resection and stoma surgery for Crohn's disease are feasible and safe. Both procedures are characterised by rapid recovery and superior cosmetic results.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy: a technique illustrated step by step.

OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopic surgery is expanding among urologists as a minimally invasive treatment and may now be applied to treat neoplasms of the pelvic organs. Laparoscopic cystoprostatectomy has still not been well codified and illustrated. We describe a technique of laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy that we have developed in 10 patients after practicing in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. METHODS: Between June 2001 and July 2002, 10 men with bladder cancer underwent laparoscopic cystoprostatectomy with urinary diversion. This report details step by step our 5-port transperitoneal technique with primary access to the seminal vesicles and Denonvillier's fascia, ureters detection after umbilical arteries incision, endopelvic fascia incision and dorsal vein complex control before division of the vesical and prostatic fibrovascular pedicles with a harmonic scalpel. RESULTS: We performed 6 orthotopic ileal neobladders, 2 sigmoid ureterostomies and 2 cutaneous ureterostomies. In all cases no conversion to open surgery was necessary. The mean time to perform the laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy, including the lymph node dissection, was 166 minutes (range 150-180). Mean estimated blood loss was 310 ml (range 220-440). Mean hospital stay was 8.1 days (range 7-9) for ileal orthotopic neobladder, 8 days (range 7-9) for sigmoid ureterostomy and 5 days for cutaneous ureterostomy. The mean follow up is 12.3 months (range 5-18). Two patients respectively with stage T2bN0 G2-3 and stage pT1N0 (plus carcinoma in situ) G3 transitional cell carcinoma and surgical margins tumor free had diffusive metastatic disease after 6 months. The other 8 patients are free from disease. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic radical cystectomy is still an operation for pioneers but this procedure may be not strictly relegated to a few academic centers. In our opinion laparoscopic cystoprostatectomy is a feasible, fast, safe and easy procedure and urinary diversion may be performed with a laparoscopic, open or combined approach without reducing the advantages of laparoscopy.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Laparoscopic colectomy for cancer: an oncologic feasible option.

The conventional and accepted treatment for curative resection of colon cancer is laparotomy with hemicolectomy for right or left sided lesions. The technique of colon resection through an open laparotomy incision is well known. Over the past several years, laparoscopically assisted colectomy has been developed and studied, following the explosion of laparoscopic technology from the cholecystectomy experience and with acquisition of advanced general laparoscopic techniques. The right, left or sigmoid colon can be mobilized and regional lymphadenectomy performed using laparoscopic instruments and video-imaging equipment. The advantage of laparoscopic colectomy is the use of small abdominal port site and wound incisions which translate to reduced postoperative pain and analgesic requirement, earlier return of bowel function and normal physical activities, and shorter hospital stay without increasing health care costs. Laparoscopic colectomy compares favorably with open colectomy in terms of surgical morbidity and mortality. The laparoscopic approach has been shown to be technically and oncologically feasible with equivalent lymph node harvest from mesenteric lymphadenectomy and achieves adequate proximal and distal margins of colonic resection. Despite initial early anecdotal reports of port site cancer recurrence in laparoscopically assisted colectomy, port site recurrence is rare and its incidence is similar to incisional recurrences in conventional open colectomy. Recent prospective comparative studies have demonstrated equivalent patient survival and equivalent local or distant colon cancer recurrences for open versus laparoscopic curative resection of colon cancer.

Colectomy↗

PubMed2002

Effect of prolonged pneumoperitoneum on intraoperative urine output during laparoscopic gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative oliguria is common during laparoscopic operations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of prolonged pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic gastric bypass (GBP) on intraoperative urine output and renal function. METHODS: 104 patients with a body mass index between 40 and 60 kg/m2 were randomly assigned to laparoscopic (n = 54) or open (n = 50) GBP. Intraoperative urine output was recorded at 30-min intervals. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels were measured at baseline and on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3. Levels of antidiuretic hormone, aldosterone, and plasma renin activity were also measured in a subset of laparoscopic (n = 22) and open (n = 24) GBP patients at baseline, 2 hours after surgical incision, and in the recovery room. RESULTS: The laparoscopic and open groups were similar in age, gender, and body mass index. There was no significant difference in amount of intraoperative fluid administered between groups (5.4 +/- 1.6 L, laparoscopic versus 5.8 +/- 1.7 L, open), but operative time was longer in the laparoscopic group (232 min versus 200 min, p < 0.01). Urinary output during laparoscopic GBP was 64% lower than during open GBP at 1 hour after surgical incision (19 mL versus 55 mL, p < 0.01) and continued to remain lower than that of the open group by 31-50% throughout the operation. Postoperative blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels remained within the normal range in both groups. Serum levels of antidiuretic hormone, aldosterone, and plasma renin activity peaked at 2 hours after surgical incision with no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Prolonged pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic gastric bypass significantly reduced intraoperative urine output but did not adversely alter postoperative renal function.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Assessment of basic human performance resources predicts operative performance of laparoscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Interest in laparoscopic surgery has prompted development of educational programs designed to teach and assess laparoscopic skills. Although these programs are beneficial, because of the inherent demands imposed by laparoscopy some aspects of operative performance might not improve with practice. This suggests that innate ability could predict level of operative skill. Assessment of operative and technical potential to date has relied largely on subjective rather than objective criteria. In this study, the relationships between objective measures of human basic performance resources (BPRs) and laparoscopic performance were evaluated using Nonlinear Causal Resource Analysis (NCRA), a novel predictive and explanatory modeling approach based on General Systems Performance Theory. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty urology residents were voluntary enrolled. Thirteen validated BPRs were measured and analyzed relative to operative laparoscopic performance (assessed by two experts) of two porcine laparoscopic nephrectomies (LN). The laparoscopic procedure, representing a High Level Task (HLT), was evaluated using a modified Global Rating of Operative Performance Scale. NCRA models were devised to predict performance of the HLT laparoscopic nephrectomies based on BPRs and to determine the limiting performance resource. RESULTS: NCRA models predicted excellent agreement with actual operative performance, suggesting that measures of innate ability (or BPRs) predicted performance of laparoscopic nephrectomy. In 65%, the prediction by NCRA was near identical to the expert rating on the HLT. In 25% of cases, NCRA overpredicted performance; in 10%, NCRA underpredicted performance of the HLT compared to the subjective ratings. Neuromotor channel capacity was the most common performance-limiting resource. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary findings suggest objective prediction of laparoscopic performance with limiting resource diagnostics for an individual surgeon is possible and practical using appropriate new measurement and modeling methods. Selection of surgical candidates, training, and educational curriculum could be positively affected.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Laparoscopic vs. open biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch: a comparative study.

Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) is a well-known emerging open procedure that appears to be as effective as other bariatric operations and has been shown to provide excellent long-term weight loss. Therefore we looked at the safety and efficacy of the laparoscopic BPD-DS procedure compared to open BPD-DS in superobese patients (body mass index >60). A retrospective study of 54 superobese patients (body mass index >60) was carried out from July 1999 to June 2001: laparoscopic BPD-DS in 26 patients and open BPD-DS in 28 patients. Median preoperative body weight was 189.8 kg (range 155.1 to 271.2 kg) in the laparoscopic BPD-DS group and 196.5 kg (range 160.3 to 298.9 kg) in the open BPD-DS group. Median body mass index was 66.9 kg/m(2) in the laparoscopic group and 68.9 kg/m(2) in the open group. The two groups were compared by means of the unpaired t test, which yielded the following results: Major morbidity occurred in six patients (23%) in the laparoscopic BPD-DS group and in five patients (17%) in the open BPD-DS group (P = 0.63). There were two deaths in the laparoscopic BPD-DS group (7.6% mortality) and one death (3.5% mortality) in the open BPD-DS group (P = 0.51). Preoperative comorbidity was improved in eight patients in the laparoscopic BPD-DS group and two patients in the open BPD-DS group (P < 0.02). Laparoscopic BPD-DS is a technically feasible procedure that results in effective weight loss similar to the open procedure. However, both open and laparoscopic BPD-DS procedures are associated with appreciable morbidity and mortality in the superobese population. Additional studies are needed to determine the best surgical treatment for superobesity.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Intra-abdominal abscesses following laparoscopic and open appendectomies.

Recent findings in a small number of studies have suggested a trend toward increased infectious complications following laparoscopic appendectomy. The purpose of the present review was to evaluate the incidence of postappendectomy intra-abdominal abscess formation following laparoscopic and open appendectomies. Using the surgical database of the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center, we reviewed the records of all appendectomies performed at the center between March 1993 and September 1995. Incidental appendectomies as well as appendectomies in pediatric patients under the age of 18 years were excluded. A total of 2497 appendectomies were identified; indications for these procedures included acute appendicitis in 1422 cases (57%), gangrenous appendicitis in 289 (12%), and perforated appendicitis in 786 (31%). The intraoperative diagnosis made by the surgeon was used for classification. A two-tailed P value of <0.05 was considered significant. There was no significant difference in the rate of abscess formation between the groups undergoing open and laparoscopic appendectomies for acute and gangrenous appendicitis. In patients with perforated appendicitis, a total of 26 postappendectomy intra-abdominal abscesses occurred following 786 appendectomies for an overall abscess formation rate of 3.3%. Eighteen abscesses occurred following 683 open appendectomies (2.6%), six abscesses occurred following 67 laparoscopic appendectomies (9.0%), and the remaining two abscesses occurred following 36 converted cases (5.6%). For perforated appendicitis, however, there was a statistically significant increase in the rate of abscess formation following laparoscopic appendectomy compared to conventional open appendectomy (9.0% vs. 2.6%, P = 0.015). There was no significant difference in the rate of abscess formation between open vs. converted cases or between laparoscopic vs. converted cases. A comparison of the length of the postoperative hospital stay showed no significant difference between open and laparoscopic appendectomy for perforated appendicitis (6.1 days vs. 5.9 days). Laparoscopic appendectomy for perforated appendicitis is associated with a higher rate of postoperative intra-abdominal abscess formation without the benefit of a shortened hospital stay. Given these findings, laparoscopic appendectomy is not recommended in patients with perforated appendicitis.

Abdominal Abscess↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Laparoscopic management of small bowel obstruction: indications and outcome.

Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility of a laparoscopic, minimal access approach for the management of patients with small bowel obstruction. Forty patients underwent laparoscopic treatment of radiologically documented or suspected small bowel obstruction based on history and/or motility study. None had chronic abdominal or pelvic pain. The operation was completed laparoscopically in 14 patients (35%) and with laparoscopic-assisted procedures in 12 (30%); 14 (35%) required conversion to open celiotomy because of dense adhesions (precluding complete inspection or adhesiolysis), small bowel necrosis in the setting of small bowel obstruction, or neoplasia. Three iatrogenic enterotomies occurred while "running" the bowel. There were three (7%) postoperative procedure-related complications (wound infection, intra-abdominal abscess, ileus). The combined group of patients treated laparoscopically or with laparoscopic-assisted procedures had a shorter hospital stay than those converted to open celiotomy (4 +/- 0.6 vs. 7 +/- 0.7 days; P <0.003). At median follow-up of 12 months, 21 of 26 patients managed laparoscopically or with laparoscopic-assisted procedures remain asymptomatic; all 21 patients with an operatively confirmed site of mechanical obstruction managed by a minimal access approach remain asymptomatic. Laparoscopic treatment of small bowel obstruction is effective, leads to a shorter hospital stay, and has good long-term results. A minimal access approach to treatment of small bowel obstruction should be considered in selected patients.

Abdomen↗

PubMed2001

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease patients with concomitant anxiety disorders.

BACKGROUND: Several psychological factors are known to affect the subjective outcome, such as quality of life, after laparoscopic antireflux surgery. AIM: To evaluate: a. outcome of laparoscopic antireflux surgery in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease patients with concomitant anxiety disorders, b. potential effects of laparoscopic antireflux surgery on psychiatric comorbidities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Out of more than 550 patients who underwent laparoscopic antireflux surgery, 21 suffered from additional anxiety disorders. Outcome assessments included traditional data, evaluation of symptoms and side-effects, and quality of life. These data were evaluated before laparoscopic antireflux surgery and 6 weeks, 3 months and 1 year after surgery, RESULTS: Post-operative lower oesophageal sphincter pressure and DeMeester score were normal in all patients. Subjective severity of anxiety disorders remained unchanged in 13 patients 1 year after surgery. One patient suffered from severe dysphagia and required single dilatation. In this patient, severity and frequency of panic attacks increased for approximately 6 months after laparoscopic antireflux surgery. In 7 patients, total relief of panic symptoms was reported within 3 months post-operatively. Severity of most gastro-oesophageal reflux disease-related symptoms decreased significantly after laparoscopic antireflux surgery, but severity of some symptoms remained stable in patients with continuing anxiety disorders. In all patients, Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index increased significantly. This improvement was less marked in patients with continuing anxiety disorders. Patients presenting total relief of panic symptoms showed an outcome comparable to normal data. CONCLUSIONS: Data obtained suggest that patients with concomitant anxiety disorders should not generally be excluded from laparoscopic antireflux surgery but should be selected more carefully. In these patients, surgery significantly improves quality of life and eliminates gastro-oesophageal reflux disease-related symptoms. Some patients demonstrated less symptomatic relief. In contrast, laparoscopic antireflux surgery was able to eliminate panic disorders in one third of our patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Mid- and long-term quality of life assessments after laparoscopic fundoplication and refundoplication: a single unit review of more than 500 antireflux procedures.

BACKGROUND: For the evaluation of surgical interventions, quality of life data are being increasingly used as an efficacy endpoint. AIMS: To evaluate impact of laparoscopic fundoplication and laparoscopic refundoplication on quality of life as well as on patient satisfaction with the procedure for at least 5 years after surgical intervention. PATIENTS: After more than 500 laparoscopic antireflux procedures, quality of life data have been prospectively reviewed and data compared with healthy individuals, untreated gastro-oesophageal reflux disease patients (n = 150) and successfully treated patients (n = B4) under adequate omeprazole therapy. METHODS: Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index has been used in all patients and evaluated the day before surgery and 5 times after surgery. Moreover, the SF-36 questionnaire has been used up to 2 years after surgical intervention, but only in patients who underwent laparoscopic redo-surgery (n = 49). RESULTS: In both surgical groups, mean preoperative Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index showed a significant (p < 0.01) impairment (before laparoscopic antireflux surgery: 90.4 +/- 10.3 points; before redo-surgery: 84.3 +/- 8.1 points) when compared with healthy individuals (mean: 122.6 +/- 8.5 points) and successfully treated patients with acid-suppressive therapy (mean: 121.4 +/- 9.2 points). After surgery, the mean Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index increased significantly and remained stable for at least 5 years after laparoscopic antireflux surgery (120.8 +/- 8.6 points) or for at least 2 years after redo-proce-dure (120.9 +/- 7.2 points). Before laparoscopic refundoplication, 6 out of 8 SF-36 scores were significantly p < 0.05) decreased. Redo-surgery influenced these 6 scores significantly (p < 0.05-0.01), resulting in values comparable to those of general population. Patients' satisfaction with surgery was excellent or good in 95%. CONCLUSION: Both, laparoscopic fundoplication as well as laparoscopic refundoplication are able to improve patients' quality of life significantly for at least 5 years. Therefore, quality of life data provide useful information to discuss different treatment options with patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy: pre-operative assessment of technical difficulty.

Laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy decreases disincentives to live kidney donation. Thus, many centers are interested in adopting this procedure. However, the high stakes involved for both the donor and the recipient, and the technical difficulties of the operation, have tempered the enthusiasm of some surgeons. Ideally, if early in their series, surgeons could select patients that would be the least challenging technically, it would facilitate the dissemination of this operation. The purpose of this study is to determine if anatomic or radiologic parameters can accurately assess pre-operatively the degree of technical difficulty of laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy for any individual patient. Abdominal spiral three-dimensional CT scanning was performed prior to laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. CT scans were reviewed for six radiographic anatomic parameters. Seven clinical anatomic measurements relating to body habitus were recorded upon induction anesthesia at the time of surgery. Demographic data for gender, age, race, weight, height, and smoking history were collected. Following laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy, the following six component parts of the operation were graded on a scale of 1-4 (1 = easy, 4 = very difficult) for technical difficulty: a) mobilization of the colon; b) mobilization of the upper pole; c) dissection of the renal vein; d) dissection of the renal artery; e) division of the adrenal vein; and f) dissection of the ureter. Also, operative time, estimated blood loss, and intra-operative fluid requirements were recorded as surrogate markers of operative difficulty. Forty-one patients were included in the study. Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy was successfully completed in all cases. The sum of the difficulty scores was 9.9+/-3.1 (mean) (range, 6-18). No anatomic, demographic, or radiologic parameters were predictive of the total operative difficulty score. Of the surrogate markers, only operative time correlated with total difficulty score (R = 0.47, p = 0.003). Donor weight and abdominal girth correlated with operative time (R = 0.50, p = 0.002; R = 0.38, p = 0.019) but not with total difficulty score (R = 0.10, p = 0.51; R = -0.02, p = 0.90, respectively). When the easiest cases and the hardest cases (< or = 25th percentile and > or =75th percentile total difficulty score, respectively) were segregated out, again no anatomic, demographic, or radiologic parameters were predictive of operative technical difficulty. In conclusion, laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy technical difficulty could not be predicted by body habitus from the variables examined in this study. Hence, it was equally likely that performing laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy using a heavy donor would be technically easy, as using a thin donor would be difficult. Although, in general, operative time increased with donor size and weight, it appears that laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy operative technical difficulty is dependent upon such factors as amount of laparoscopic working space, quality of tissue planes, and retractability of the colon and mesocolon; factors that, to date, are not quantifiable.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Experimental study of adhesion formation in open and laparoscopic fundoplication.

BACKGROUND: The extent of adhesion formation following both open and laparoscopic surgery remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the extent of postoperative adhesion formation after laparoscopic and open fundoplication in a rat model. METHODS: Fifty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into four groups: laparoscopic fundoplication (n = 20), open fundoplication (n = 20), laparoscopy (n = 6) and laparotomy (n = 6). Blood as well as intraperitoneal fluid was sampled for tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha measurement by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All the rats were killed 3 weeks after operation, and adhesion formation was evaluated using a standardized scoring system. RESULTS: There were no intergroup differences in body-weight gain after surgery. The overall mortality rate was 19 per cent and death was observed only in the fundoplication groups. Animals that had open fundoplication developed significantly more adhesions than those that underwent laparoscopic fundoplication (34 versus 21). Laparoscopic surgery induced predominantly parietal adhesions, whereas open surgery was more associated with visceral adhesions. The adhesions observed in the laparoscopic groups were significant thinner than those after open surgery and the tenacity of adhesions was decreased in laparoscopic compared with open surgery. The peak plasma level of TNF-alpha was reached during laparoscopic fundoplication, whereas the peak level was observed 3 h after open fundoplication. Intraperitoneal TNF-alpha levels showed no significant differences at 3 h. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that laparoscopic fundoplication in rats leads to less severe adhesions of a different type (parietal) compared with those seen in the open controls.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Laparoscopic reoperation following failed antireflux surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to determine the feasibility of laparoscopic revision surgery following previous open and laparoscopic antireflux operations. METHODS: The outcome was determined for 27 patients (14 men, 13 women) who had undergone attempted laparoscopic revision between 3 months and 25 years after a previous antireflux operation. Median follow-up was 12 (range 3-48) months. RESULTS: Thirteen patients had previously had an open antireflux procedure (Nissen fundoplication, seven; transthoracic anatomical repair, five; Belsey procedure, one) and 14 a laparoscopic procedure (Nissen, 12; anterior partial fundoplication, two). The indications for revision were: recurrent reflux, 15; paraoesophageal hiatus hernia, six; troublesome dysphagia, six. Fifteen procedures comprised construction of a new Nissen fundoplication, six conversion from a Nissen to a partial wrap, three repair of a paraoesophageal hernia and three widening of the oesophageal hiatus. Revision was successfully completed laparoscopically in 12 patients following a previous laparoscopic procedure and in nine following a previous open operation. Median operating time was 105 min after previous open surgery and 80 min after laparoscopic surgery. No perioperative complications occurred in either group and a good outcome was achieved in 25 of the 27 patients. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic reoperative antireflux surgery is feasible. Reoperation is likely to be more difficult following failure of an open procedure than a laparoscopic one.

Female↗

PubMed1999

Laparoscopically assisted colorectal surgery in the elderly.

INTRODUCTION: Open colorectal surgery in elderly patients is associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates compared with those in younger age groups. It also requires more intensive postoperative support, longer hospitalization, and in many cases leads to prolonged rehabilitation or institutionalization. Because of its less invasive nature, laparoscopically assisted colorectal surgery may lead to a reduced period of convalescence. However, the safety of advanced laparoscopic surgical techniques in the elderly has not been established, so this prospective comparative study was undertaken. METHODS: All patients aged 80 years or more who were undergoing an elective laparoscopic or open colorectal procedure between 1 January 1992 and 30 June 1997 were assessed prospectively. Patients having simple stoma formation were excluded. Perioperative care, operative results and subsequent function were analysed. RESULTS: There were 42 patients in the laparoscopic group and 35 in the open group, with a median age of 84 years in each group. Five patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery required conversion to an open procedure. No complications related to laparoscopy occurred. Three patients died after operation in the laparoscopic group and four in the open group, with morbidity in seven and 15 patients respectively. Median hospital stay was 9 (range 4-21) days for patients having the laparoscopic operation, and 17 (range 7-28) days in the open cases. At 4 weeks after operation 30 of the 35 independent patients surviving the operation in the laparoscopic group and 16 of 28 in the open group were back to preoperative activity levels. CONCLUSION: In this series laparoscopically assisted colorectal surgery was safe and was associated with a low incidence of complications, short hospitalization and a rapid return to preoperative activity levels when compared with open colorectal resections in this age group.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Transoesophageal echocardiography shows high risk of gas embolism during laparoscopic hepatic resection under carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum.

BACKGROUND: The ultrasonically activated scalpel (UAS) enables safe and effective laparoscopic tissue dissection, making hepatic resection feasible. This study compared blood loss and risk of gas embolism using the UAS during open hepatic resection and laparoscopic hepatic resection. METHODS: Female pigs were divided into two groups for laparoscopic (n = 7) and open (n = 5) left hepatic lobectomy. The UAS was used for both tissue cutting and coagulation. Laparoscopic liver resection was performed under carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum (intraperitoneal pressure 12 mmHg). During surgery animals were monitored haemodynamically by an arterial line and Swan-Ganz catheter. Two-dimensional transoesophageal echocardiography (2D-TEE) was used to detect gas emboli with special attention to the right atrium and ventricle. Gas emboli were graded according to size, and correlated with haemodynamic and blood gas data. RESULTS: During open and laparoscopic hepatic resection the UAS resulted in minimal blood loss and effective tissue dissection. No air embolism was seen during open surgery. With laparoscopic hepatic resection 2D-TEE revealed gas embolism in all animals. Gas embolism was accompanied by cardiac arrhythmia in four of seven animals. No direct correlation was observed between embolism episodes and blood gas variables. There were no deaths after episodes of embolization. A significant decrease in arterial partial pressure of oxygen was seen at the end of the laparoscopic procedure in all animals. CONCLUSION: The UAS causes minimal blood loss during both open and laparoscopic hepatic resection. Laparoscopic liver dissection under carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum carries a high risk of gas embolism.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy: history, indications, and current techniques for a minimally invasive approach to adrenal pathology.

Refinements in the field of laparoscopic general surgery have not only made the performance of laparoscopic adrenalectomy technically feasible, but have even made it the preferred method of treatment for benign adrenal pathology. The advantage of the laparoscopic approach lies in the fact that it allows precise, hemostatic dissection of the gland in a minimally invasive fashion. We present here the results of published reports of laparoscopic adrenalectomy as well as our own experience, and compare these data with reports from open procedures. The indications for the surgical removal of the adrenal gland have not changed, and include: endocrine active tumors, suspected malignancies, adrenal masses larger than 6 cm, and masses that have been followed and observed to be growing. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy can be accomplished with one of three approaches: anterior, lateral and posterior. Each approach has advantages and limitations, and our preferences are discussed. The general techniques are briefly described. The findings from many studies show that the blood loss, operative complications, hospital stay and recovery period are significantly reduced with the laparoscopic approach. Based on our experience with 19 laparoscopic adrenalectomies and a review of the current literature, laparoscopic adrenalectomy can be fairly described as the current "gold standard" treatment for benign adrenal disease. Patients benefit from short hospital stays, lower morbidity, and a more rapid recovery. The only question that remains is the appropriateness of laparoscopic adrenalectomy in the treatment of adrenal malignancy, and the answer to this will depend on the results of long-term outcome studies.

Adrenal Gland Diseases↗

PubMed2000

Laparoscopic detection and resection of insulinomas.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool for the localization of islet cell tumors has been described before, but few reports on laparoscopic resection of insulinomas exist. We retrospectively reviewed the results of our experience with laparoscopic detection and the resection of insulinomas to determine its feasibility. METHODS: Between February 1996 and February 1999, 10 patients underwent operation for organic hyperinsulinism at our institution. Patient and clinical characteristics were studied retrospectively. Laparoscopic ultrasonography was performed to localize the insulinoma and then laparoscopic resection was performed. RESULTS: Eight women and 2 men underwent operation for hyperinsulinism. In 6 patients the insulinoma could be resected laparoscopically, either by enucleation (5 patients) or by resection of the pancreatic tail (1 patient). Four procedures were converted to laparotomy for the proximate location of the insulinoma to the portal vein or pancreatic duct (3 procedures) and failure to identify the insulinoma (1 procedure). The overall success rate of preoperative localization of an insulinoma with the use of various imaging techniques was 60% (6/10 patients). Laparoscopic ultrasonography could identify an insulinoma in 90% of the patients (9/10 patients). The median hospital stay was 7 days. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic ultrasonography followed by laparoscopic removal of the insulinoma in patients with clinically manifested hyperinsulinism is a feasible and safe technique with low morbidity and fast postoperative recovery. Preoperative localization studies appear of limited value.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Laparoscopic-assisted abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy.

PURPOSE: The technical elements and early results of laparoscopic-assisted abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy are described. METHODS: From February 1997 to May 1999, 60 patients underwent elective laparoscopic surgery for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. Patients ranged in age from 53 to 87 years (mean age, 70.6 years). The mean aneurysm size was 5.7 cm (range, 4.4-8.0 cm). All patients underwent aortography and computed tomography scanning preoperatively. Patients were not deemed candidates for the procedure when visceral arterial abnormalities requiring surgical treatment were present or an aortic aneurysm neck shorter than 0.5 cm was found. A risk-stratification system was used as a means of quantitating risk factors and excluding high-risk patients. Aortic reconstruction was performed with retroperitoneal laparoscopy, with the patient in a modified right lateral decubitus position. An Endo TA 30 and an Endo TA 60 laparoscopic staplers (US Surgical, Norwalk, Conn) were used in occluding the common iliac arteries and aneurysm sac. Laparoscopic hemoclips were used as a means of occluding the lumbar arteries and other branches of the aneurysm sac. An aortobifemoral or aortobi-iliac bypass grafting procedure was performed by means of the laparoscope to position the graft and visualize the end-to-end aorta-to-graft anastomosis, with distal anastomoses performed through counter incisions. RESULTS: Three patients died within 30 days of surgery (mortality rate, 5.0%). Complications included left ureteral injury (1), postoperative myocardial infarction (1), ileofemoral deep venous thrombosis (1), acute renal failure (2), colon ischemia (1), and infected graft limb requiring revision (1). The mean operative time was 7.7 hours, and the mean aortic cross-clamping time was 112 minutes. Compared with a contemporary consecutive series of 100 patients undergoing open transabdominal or retroperitoneal aneurysmectomy performed by the same group of surgeons, the laparoscopic patients had decreased length of stays in the intensive care unit and the hospital, with less need for ventilator support, earlier resumption of a regular diet, and an earlier return to normal activity. At the follow-up examinations, all bypass grafts were patent. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic-assisted aneurysmectomy is safe and effective and can be performed with good results. The longer operation time required is well tolerated in patients who are at good and moderate risk. Prior training in laparoscopic aortic surgery is necessary for surgeons to obtain the required level of expertise needed to perform these procedures. With these caveats, the results of our study suggest that laparoscopic-assisted aortic aneurysmectomy is appropriate for moderate-to-good risk (American Society of Anesthesiologists class of III or lower) operative candidates meeting standard criteria for aneurysm resection in whom preoperative computed tomography scan and biplane arteriography demonstrate a proximal aneurysm neck of 0.5 cm or larger and no need for visceral or internal iliac artery reconstruction. A randomized trial would be required to confirm the benefits of this procedure over open aneurysmectomy.

Aged↗