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PubMed2001

Hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy: the experience of the inexperienced.

PURPOSE: We retrospectively examined the experience of novice laparoscopic surgeons performing hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. The purpose was to determine if urologists with minimal laparoscopic training could perform hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomies in a safe and efficient manner. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The first six hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomies performed by four different urology residents at the Chicago Lakeside VA hospital were reviewed. The residents included three chief urology residents and one postgraduate year 3 urology resident. None of the residents had taken any laparoscopic course, and all had limited exposure to the hand-assisted technique. In all cases, the residents performed the entire operation. The patients were evaluated for operative time, tumor size, body mass index, and ASA score. RESULTS: All six procedures were completed without conversion to the open technique. The average operating time was 215.8 minutes, and the time from incision to organ removal averaged 140.8 minutes. The average estimated blood loss was 166 mL. Complications included an intraoperative diaphragmatic injury (recognized and repaired laparoscopically) and one postoperative ileus. CONCLUSION: Hand-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy can be performed safely and efficiently by urologists with minimal laparoscopic experience.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed2005

Evaluation of a novel modified suture material designed to facilitate intracorporeal knot tying during laparoscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Laparoscopic intracorporeal knot tying in minimally invasive surgery is an advanced skill. Mastering this skill is an arduous process with a long learning curve. While recent advances in instrumentation have allowed easier suturing and tying, until now, no attempts have been made to modify the suture material in order to facilitate this process. We present an evaluation of a novel modified suture material designed to allow inexperienced surgical residents to tie intracorporeal knots laparoscopically using conventional laparoscopic needle drivers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Surgical residents with no prior experience in laparoscopic surgery were invited to take part in this investigation. Each of the 14 participants was given a 10-minute demonstration of laparoscopic intracorporeal knot tying and then allowed a mentored practice session of 10 minutes. In the first trial, they were then randomized to tie a laparoscopic knot with either a standard or a modified dry suture. Time and accuracy scores were recorded. They then performed the same task with the other type of suture. On the second trial, wet standard and modified sutures were used, and the order of the sutures used in the first trial was reversed. RESULTS: The average time taken to tie an intracorporeal knot laparoscopically was significantly less when the modified suture was used in both dry and wet conditions (162.71 +/- 10.79 seconds v 270.86 +/- 22.76 seconds; P = 0.0039, and 123.29 +/- 4.70 seconds v 247.57 +/- 23.17 seconds; P = 0.0032, respectively). No significant difference in accuracy scores was noted with the two sutures. CONCLUSIONS: Our modified suture design allowed inexperienced surgical residents to perform intracorporeal laparoscopic knot tying on average faster than the standard suture did. The concept of modifying suture design to facilitate laparoscopic suturing and knot tying deserves further investigation and development.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed2005

Laparoscopic urology training in South Africa.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Laparoscopic urologic surgery is not widely practiced in South Africa. After presenting a laparoscopic training course, we evaluated how effectively this training translated into clinical practice. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Invitations to the course were sent to all South African urologists. Ten applicants attended the course, which consisted of dry and in-vivo animal surgery. Two questionnaires were sent out after the course. Questionnaire 1 (at course completion) aimed at identifying the precourse laparoscopic experience and expectations of the trainee. Questionnaire 2 (6 months postcourse) assessed how much laparoscopic surgery the participant had performed since the course. RESULTS: Seventeen percent of all South African urologists responded to the invitation. Prior to the course, 40% of trainees had performed >or=10 laparoscopic cases, 30% had performed <10 cases, and 30% had never performed laparoscopy, whereas 60% expected to be doing one or two cases a month after completing the course. Six months after the course, 60% had performed no laparoscopic cases. Of the three trainees who had never before done laparoscopic procedures, none had started to perform procedures since the course. The commonest procedures performed were varicocelectomy and diagnostic laparoscopy for nonpalpable testis. CONCLUSIONS: A hands-on laparoscopic training course to introduce laparoscopic urology into South African private urology practice has not translated into a satisfactory number of clinical cases being performed. The causes are likely multifactorial but are greatly influenced by social and economic forces. One possible solution may be to offer a mentor-based training program.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed2005

Correlation of preoperative three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography with intraoperative findings in laparoscopic renal surgery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Contrast-enhanced three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography (3D-MRA) with image reconstruction has important applications in laparoscopic urologic surgery. We now use 3D-MRA as part of our preoperative evaluation in selected patients undergoing laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, pyeloplasty, radical nephrectomy, and partial nephrectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From June 2001 to December 2002, 50 patients underwent preoperative 3D-MRA at 1.5 T prior to laparoscopic renal surgery. In general, preoperative 3D-MRA was obtained for donor nephrectomies and pyeloplasties and for cases where prior imaging suggested a possible vascular anomaly. Patients who underwent preoperative imaging included those having donor nephrectomy (N = 28), pyeloplasty (N = 12), radical nephrectomy (N = 5), partial nephrectomy (N = 3), and other laparoscopic renal procedures (N = 2). The 3D-MRA studies were interpreted by one radiologist, and all laparoscopic cases were performed by one of two surgeons. The findings of 3D-MRA were correlated with the intraoperative findings with special attention to aberrant vasculature, including duplicated renal arteries or veins, accessory vessels, or crossing vessels. RESULTS: Among patients undergoing laparoscopic donor nephrectomy, 3D-MRA correctly predicted the number of renal vessels in 27 of 28 cases (96%), including all 3 cases of left retroaortic renal vein. Also, 3DMRA correctly predicted the presence or absence of a crossing vessel in 10 of 12 cases (83%) of laparoscopic pyeloplasty. The imaging study also correctly predicted the number of hilar vessels in all five cases of radical nephrectomy, all three cases of partial nephrectomy, and both cases of other renal operations. Overall, 3D-MRA correctly defined the renal hilar anatomy in 48 of 50 patients, for an overall accuracy of 96%. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional MRA findings correlate well (96%) with intraoperative findings in laparoscopic renal surgery. The imaging study provides exquisite vascular detail and is highly accurate, making it sufficient imaging prior to laparoscopic donor nephrectomy and useful for pyeloplasty and other complex renal operations.

Chelating Agents↗
PubMed2005

Initial impact of a dedicated postgraduate laparoscopic mini-residency on clinical practice patterns.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Laparoscopic surgical techniques are difficult to master, especially for surgeons who did not receive this type of training during their residencies. We have established a 5-day mentor-preceptor- proctor-guided postgraduate "mini-residency" (M-R) experience in minimally invasive surgery. The initial results from the first 16 participants in the laparoscopic M-R modules are presented. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: On the first and the last day of the M-R, all participants underwent surgical skills testing using an open-surgery, standard laparoscopic, and robot-assisted laparoscopic format. A written examination was also administered on the last day. The influence of M-R on the participants' practice pattern was then assessed by a follow-up questionnaire survey 1 to 7 months after their attendance. RESULTS: Data from the first 16 participants were analyzed. Of note, the score was significantly improved for only one of the four tested laparoscopic skills (i.e., threading a suture through loops). Nonetheless, on the follow-up survey, of the 15 respondents, two laparoscopically naïve participants had performed laparoscopic nephrectomy, and of the eight participants who had prior renal-ablative laparoscopic experience, four had performed advanced reconstructive laparoscopic cases. CONCLUSIONS: A 5-day dedicated postgraduate M-R in laparoscopy appears to be helpful for urologists wishing to incorporate this surgical approach into their practices. The "take rate" among participants is initially at the 40% level, similar to what has been previously reported after a 1 to 2-day hands-on didactic laparoscopy course.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Laparoscopic renal surgery in infants 10 kg or less.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Major laparoscopic urologic procedures have been successful in children, but few reports of laparoscopic surgery in infants weighing <10 kg exist. We present our series of laparoscopic renal procedures in such patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The hospital records of 17 consecutive patients (9 boys, 8 girls) with a median age of 7 months (range 1-25 months) weighing a mean of 8.5 kg (range 4.2-10 kg) who had undergone laparoscopic renal surgery (nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy, nephroureterectomy) between March 1999 and January 2004 were reviewed. Twelve patients underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy, three laparoscopic nephroureterectomy, and two laparoscopic heminephrectomy. Additional procedures were performed concomitantly in three patients. RESULTS: All operations had minimal estimated blood loss. Excluding those patients who underwent additional procedures, the mean operative time was 138 minutes (range 77-229 minutes). The postoperative hospitalization was 23 hours or less in all except two patients, both of whom had undergone additional procedures. The only complication was an intraoperative diaphragmatic injury that was repaired laparoscopically without sequelae. There were no delayed complications, and by 2 weeks postoperatively, all patients were recovered fully. CONCLUSION: Major laparoscopic urologic procedures can be performed in infants weighing <10 kg with low morbidity and rapid recovery.

Body Weight↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The technique of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy has matured significantly over the past decade and is emerging as an oncologically sound procedure for the management of small renal tumors. Methods of tumor excision as well as parenchymal reconstruction in a hemostatically controlled field have evolved to make this procedure safer. Improved techniques to minimize warm renal ischemia are being developed. Finally, methods to prevent positive surgical margins during laparoscopic surgery are crucial to a satisfactory oncologic outcome. These important technical issues, as well as the current results of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, are discussed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The urologic peer-review literature related to nephron-sparing surgery was reviewed. Controversial issues with respect to the surgical approach, methods of hemostatic control, acceptable time of warm ischemia, and cooling techniques were reviewed and collated. Perioperative results from larger series of laparoscopic and open partial nephrectomy were evaluated. RESULTS: Open nephron-sparing surgery for renal tumors < or =4 cm has cancer control equivalent to that of open radical nephrectomy. Evidence is now emerging that laparoscopic partial nephrectomy will provide similar oncologic results, although clinical follow-up is still early. Blood loss, postoperative pain, and convalescence seem to be favor the laparoscopic approach. Complication rates, primarily postoperative bleeding and urine leak, may be higher than for open nephron-sparing surgery. Methods of laparoscopic hemostatic control favor soft vascular clamping for larger tumors that are more endophytic and central. Smaller exophytic lesions may be managed without renal vascular control using a variety of coagulative and hemostatic tools. Data related to warm renal ischemia suggest that the time used for tumor excision and renal reconstruction should be 30 minutes or less. Techniques for laparoscopic renal cooling are being developed. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery is a technique in evolution but with a promising outlook. The urologic peer-review literature reflects an exponential growth in interest, which suggests that this minimally invasive approach is practical and may benefit our patient population so as to allow them to return to normal healthy living more quickly.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

A comparative study of the analgesia requirements following laparoscopic and open fundoplication in children.

To introduce a new procedure, careful evaluation of its effects must be undertaken to assess its impact. Laparoscopic procedures in children are a relatively new phenomenon. A reduction in analgesia is a frequently quoted benefit of a laparoscopic procedure. The introduction of laparoscopic fundoplication into our surgical armoury lead us to evaluate the analgesia requirements of a laparoscopic procedure compared to conventional surgery. Comparative analysis of the analgesia requirements of 40 fundoplication procedures (20 laparoscopic, 20 open) was undertaken. All the pain-relief data was prospectively documented by a pain team as part of an ongoing hospital audit. This pain team was unaware of the comparative study, but were assessing the quality of analgesia within the hospital trust. The total amount of morphine analgesia required was similar for both laparoscopic and open surgery (0.432+/-0.28, 0.427+/-0.28 mg/kg). The period for which analgesia was required was significantly less in the laparoscopic group (1.2+/-0.46, 2.7+/-0.67 days; p = 0.03), yet the requirement for morphine during the first 24 hours was greater in the laparoscopic group (0.399+/-0.19, 0.22+0.11 mg/kg, p = 0.02) despite similar NSAID requirements (18+/-17.28, 18+/-20.16 mg/kg, respectively). The benefit of a laparoscopic over an open fundoplication would appear to be in the decreased duration of pain, as indicated by the decreased duration of analgesia following surgery.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1994

Laparoscopic-assisted colectomy. Initial experience.

OBJECTIVE: The authors studied the results of laparoscopic colectomies performed by a surgical team on 80 consecutive patients and compared these results with standard open colectomies. METHODS: Eight consecutive laparoscopic-assisted colectomies were performed by Norfolk Surgical Group in a 14-month period and compared to 53 patients who had a conventional open colectomies. Analysis included indications for surgery, types of procedure, complications, incidence and causes for conversion, length of procedure, duration of postoperative ileus, hospital stay, operating room and total hospital charges, and examination of the pathologic specimens. RESULTS: Many different types of colectomies were performed successfully and safely for a variety of surgical indications. The conversion rate was 22.5%, which decreased to 15% in the second half of the series. Complications in patients who underwent laparoscopic operations were not severe in number of type. The length of the operative procedure, operating room charge, and the total hospital charge were greater for patients undergoing laparoscopic-assisted colectomies. Patients who underwent laparoscopic operations had a shorter period of postoperative ileus and less pain, resumed a regular diet sooner, and were discharged from the hospital sooner than patients who underwent open colectomies. There was no significant difference in the pathology specimens obtained by laparoscopic-assisted colectomies compared with conventional open colectomies for length of specimen, surgical margins, and number of lymph nodes retrieved. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that laparoscopic techniques can be applied safely and effectively to a broad range of colonic operations. Laparoscopic-assisted colectomies take longer to perform and are more costly, but are associated with less paralytic ileus, less pain, and reduced hospital stay. Laparoscopic colectomies for the treatment of malignancy are achievable technically, but will require careful long-term study.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Superior staging of liver tumors with laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE: The authors describe the technique of staging laparoscopy with laparoscopic contact ultrasonography in the preoperative assessment of patients with liver tumors, and assess its impact on the selection of patients for hepatic resection with curative intent. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Laparoscopy may be useful in the selection of patients with a variety of intra-abdominal malignancies for operative intervention. Laparoscopic ultrasonography is a new technique that combines the principles of high resolution intraoperative contact ultrasound with those of the laparoscopic examination, and thus, allows the laparoscopist to perform detailed assessment of the liver. METHODS: This study analyzes a cohort of 50 consecutive patients who were diagnosed as having potentially resectable liver tumors, and in whom staging laparoscopy was successfully undertaken. Laparoscopic ultrasonography was performed in 43 patients, and the impact of the ensuing findings on the decision to proceed to operative assessment of resectability is examined. The resectability rate in those patients assessed laparoscopically and subsequently submitted to laparotomy is compared with a preceding group of patients in whom no laparoscopic assessment was performed. RESULTS: Laparoscopy demonstrated factors precluding curative resection in 23 patients (46%). Laparoscopic ultrasonography identified liver tumors not visible during laparoscopy in 14 patients (33%), and provided staging information in addition to that derived from laparoscopy alone in 18/43 patients (42%). The resectability rate was significantly higher among those patients undergoing laparoscopic staging (93%) compared with those in whom operative assessment was undertaken without laparoscopy (58%). CONCLUSIONS: Staging laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasonography optimizes patient selection for liver resection with curative intent.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Superior nitrogen balance after laparoscopic-assisted colectomy.

BACKGROUND: Although early resumption of enteral feeding after gastrointestinal surgery results in improved nitrogen balance and lower infectious complications, no postoperative nutritional data after laparoscopic-assisted colectomy exists. OBJECTIVE: The authors prospectively compared nitrogen balance after laparoscopic-assisted colectomy versus open colectomy. METHODS: This is a series of colon resections (open, N = 10; laparoscopic-assisted, N = 9) at the Ferguson-Blodgett Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan, between January and March 1993. Nitrogen intake and 24-hour urine collections were performed on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7 for the analysis of total urinary nitrogen and urinary 3 methylhistidine-(3mH). RESULTS: The time to passage of flatus (4.7 +/- 0.6; 2.0 +/- 0.2), resumption of oral intake (6.1 +/- 0.7; 1.4 +/- 0.2; p < 0.05, Student's test), first bowel movement (5.2 +/- 1.0; 3.0 +/- 0.3; p < 0.05, Student;s t test), and discharge (10.3 +/- 1.3; 4.1 +/- 1.8; p < 0.05, Student's t test) occurred significantly earlier in the laparoscopic-assisted colectomy group. Overall hospital charges were lower in the laparoscopic-assisted colectomy group ($11,572 +/- $823 vs. $13,961 +/- $1050). The operative time was higher in the laparoscopic-assisted colectomy group (176 +/- 12 hours vs. 105 +/- 17 hours, p < 0.05,Student's test). Blood loss was higher in the open group (805 +/- 264 mL vs 217 +/- 32 mL, p < 0.05, Student's test). Urinary nitrogen losses were similar between the two groups; however, significantly more patients in the laparoscopic-assisted colectomy group achieved net positive nitrogen on day 3 (6/9; 0/10; p < 0.05, Fisher's exact test), and day 7 (9/9; 4/10; p < 0.05, Fisher's exact test). Infectious complications occurred less frequently in the laparoscopic-assisted colectomy group (0/9 vs. 4/10; p < 0.05, Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing laparoscopic-assisted colectomy can achieve early resumption of enteral nutrition with earlier return to positive nitrogen balance compared with open colectomy. This may offer benefits of fewer infectious complications and lower cost of care.

Colectomy↗
PubMed1996

A learning curve for laparoscopic fundoplication. Definable, avoidable, or a waste of time?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether a learning curve for laparoscopic fundoplication can be defined, and whether steps can be taken to avoid any difficulties associated with it. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Although early outcomes after laparoscopic fundoplication have been promising, complications unique to the procedure have been described. Learning curve problems may contribute to these difficulties. Although training recommendations have been published by some professional bodies, there is disagreement about what constitutes adequate supervised experience before the solo performance of laparoscopic antireflux surgery, and the true length of the learning curve. METHODS: The outcome of 280 laparoscopic fundoplications undertaken by 11 surgeons during a 46-month period was assessed prospectively. The experience was analyzed in three different ways: 1) by an assessment of the overall learning experience within chronologically arranged groups, 2) by an assessment of all individual experiences grouped according to the experience of individual surgeons, and 3) by a comparison of early outcomes of operations performed by the surgeons who initiated laparoscopic fundoplication with the early experience of surgeons beginning laparoscopic fundoplication later in the overall institutional experience. RESULTS: The complication, reoperation, and laparoscopic to open conversion rates all were higher in the first 50 cases performed by the overall group, and in the first 20 cases performed by each individual surgeon. These rates were even higher in the initial first 20 cases, and the first 5 individual cases. However, adverse outcomes were less likely when surgeons began fundoplication later in the overall experience, when experienced supervision could be provided. CONCLUSIONS: A learning curve for laparoscopic fundoplication can be defined. Experienced supervision should be sought by surgeons beginning laparoscopic fundoplication during their first 20 procedures. This should minimize adverse outcomes associated with an individual's learning curve.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1997

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy. A new standard of care.

OBJECTIVE: The authors review their experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy in patients with benign adrenal neoplasms. Efficacy, safety, and cost effectiveness of the procedure are examined. BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is replacing open adrenalectomy in some medical centers as the standard surgical approach for uncomplicated tumors. However, laparoscopic adrenalectomy often is considered more difficult and more expensive than traditional "open" surgery. METHODS: Perioperative and postoperative records as well as hospital charges from the first 19 patients undergoing laparoscopic unilateral adrenalectomies at the authors' medical institutions were examined and compared with 19 patients who underwent open unilateral adrenalectomies. RESULTS: None of the 19 patients undergoing unilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy required conversion to open adrenalectomy. Mean operative times as well as total hospital charges were similar in those patients undergoing either laparoscopic or open adrenalectomy. However, the morbidity and postoperative length of hospital stay were significantly less in those patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy can be performed safety and with the benefits associated with minimally invasive surgery. In addition, the procedure is cost effective. These factors suggest that laparoscopic adrenalectomy should be the preferential surgical technique for benign adrenal disease.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1999

Open versus laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding: a prospective randomized trial for treatment of morbid obesity.

OBJECTIVE: To perform the first prospective trial of laparoscopic versus open adjustable silicone gastric banding (ASGB) in patients with morbid obesity. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Vertical banded gastroplasty has been used for many years to treat morbid obesity, but the size of the stoma has remained a source of failure after the procedure. ASGB has the advantages of maintaining gastric integrity and the potential for readjustment of the band, if needed. It has been suggested that laparoscopic ASGB, recently introduced to reduce postoperative complications and hospital stay, has a negative impact on outcome. METHODS: Fifty patients with morbid obesity of >5 years' duration and a body-mass index (BMI) > 40 kg/m2 were randomized to undergo laparoscopic or open ASGB. The difficulty of the procedure, surgical time, postoperative complications, and hospital stay were assessed. Stoma adjustments, long-term complications, readmissions, weight loss, and BMI were determined. RESULTS: All procedures were successfully carried out. Of 25 patients assigned to laparoscopic ASGB, 2 were converted to an open procedure. Surgical time was significantly longer for laparoscopic ASGB (150 minutes vs. 76 minutes for open ASGB). There was no difference in complications. Mean hospital stay was 5.9 days for the laparoscopic procedure versus 7.2 days for open ASGB (p < 0.05). The total number of readmissions (6 vs. 15) and overall hospital stay in the first year (7.8 vs. 11.8 days) were lower after laparoscopic ASGB (p < 0.05). Weight and BMI were reduced significantly in both groups, but there was no difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic and open ASGB were equally effective in terms of early (first-year) weight loss, reduction of BMI, and postoperative complications. The laparoscopic procedure was associated with a shorter initial hospital stay and fewer readmissions during follow-up and is therefore the preferred treatment in morbidly obese patients undergoing ASGB.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Physiologic responses to laparoscopic aortofemoral bypass grafting in an animal model.

OBJECTIVE: To measure and compare the physiologic, metabolic, and hemodynamic responses to aortofemoral bypass grafting by three techniques: open or conventional laparotomy, laparoscopic-assisted (minilaparotomy), and totally laparoscopic grafting. METHODS: Twenty-four laboratory-bred hounds were randomized to one of three groups (open, laparoscopic-assisted, or totally laparoscopic). Four sets of parameters were measured: hemodynamic (intraoperative continuous cardiac output monitoring), inflammatory or hematologic (serial leukocyte and platelet levels), metabolic responses (serial blood glucose, serum cortisol and insulin, plasma epinephrine, plasma norepinephrine, and dopamine levels), and catabolic (24-hour urinary nitrogen excretion). RESULTS: Cardiac output increased transiently with aortic cross-clamping, more in the laparoscopic-assisted and total laparoscopic groups than in the open group, but the differences were not significant. White blood counts nearly doubled within 12 hours of surgery but were similar in all three groups. Platelet counts decreased significantly in all three groups, but no significant intergroup effects were observed. Metabolic parameters (e.g., blood glucose, cortisol, and catecholamine) rose significantly during surgery but fell to normal within 24 hours, with no important difference between groups. For the first 24 hours, urinary urea excretion fell by 50% but returned to normal by 7 days in all three groups. CONCLUSIONS: In the experimental animal model, the hemodynamic, hematologic, and metabolic responses to laparoscopic and laparoscopic-assisted aortofemoral bypass grafting are similar to those produced by conventional laparotomy graft placement. These data call into question whether laparoscopic techniques for aortic surgery have a significant physiologic advantage in humans.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Laparoscopic surgery during pregnancy.

In the last decade, operative laparoscopic procedures are performed increasingly in both gynecology and general surgery. The major advantages of this newer minimally invasive approach are: decreased postoperative morbidity, less pain and decreased need for analgesics, early normal bowel function, shorter hospital stay, and early return to normal activity. With the advancement of laparoscopic surgery, its use during pregnancy is becoming more widely accepted. The most commonly reported laparoscopic operation during pregnancy is laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Other laparoscopic procedures commonly performed during pregnancy include: management of adnexal mass, ovarian torsion, ovarian cystectomy, appendectomy, and ectopic pregnancy. The possible drawbacks of laparoscopic surgery during pregnancy may include injury of the pregnant uterus and the technical difficulty of laparoscopic surgery due to the growing mass of the gravid uterus. Also, the potential risk of decreased uterine blood flow secondary to the increase in intraabdominal pressure and the possible risk of carbon dioxide absorption to both the mother and fetus should be taken into account. To date, data on laparoscopic surgery during pregnancy are insufficient to draw conclusions on its safety and exact complication rate. This is due to the few cases reported and the lack of prospective studies. Furthermore, there is a common tendency to underreport unsuccessful cases. Finally, most reports in the literature come from centers and surgeons with special interest, experience, and skills in laparoscopy, and their results may not reflect the real complication rates. We have reviewed the pertinent English literature from the last decade. The cumulative experience suggests that laparoscopic surgery may be performed safely during pregnancy, although more studies are needed to establish its exact rate of adverse events.

Adnexal Diseases↗
PubMed2003

Laparoscopic management of severe acute pancreatitis.

INTRODUCTION: Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) remains a serious disease state difficult to manage. Laparoscopic surgery represents a relatively new solution to this problem. This study was aimed to investigate the feasibility of laparoscopic treatment of SAP and the selection of laparoscopic procedures in various stages of SAP according to different pathologic alterations. METHODS: Thirteen patients, 9 men and 4 women with an average age of 46 years old, were diagnosed with SAP. Laparoscopic necrosectomy followed by external drainage were performed on 7 patients with massive fluid collections and/or infected necrosis in acute reaction phase of SAP. For 2 cases in subacute phase characterized by fresh-formed adhesions and encapsulation, laparoscopic intracavitary debridement experienced difficulty. For the other 4 patients in late phase with well-defined pancreatic or peripancreatic pseudocyst/abscess, ultrasound-guided, directly visualized laparoscopic intracavitary debridement, and external drainage were carried out with ease and efficiency. RESULTS: Laparoscopic procedures were accomplished successfully on 12 patients (92.3%), except for 1 conversion (7.7%) to open laparotomy owing to poor exposure and hard maneuvers in subacute phase. There was no mortality in this group. Patients were witnessed to have accelerated recovery following laparoscopic surgery. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic technique offers new hope for the treatment of SAP. It is recommended as a feasible, effective, and less traumatic therapeutic means on condition that the strategy of individualization is followed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

Transperitoneal laparoscopic exposure for lumbar interbody fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective clinical trial of the transperitoneal laparoscopic approach to the lumbar spine in a consecutive series of patients undergoing anterior lumbar interbody fusion. OBJECTIVES: To determine safety and effectiveness, and to document technique and perioperative complications of a laparoscopic exposure for lumbar interbody fusion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: With the widespread adoption of laparoscopic techniques, the benefits of minimal access surgery are now well recognized--in general, gynecologic and urologic surgery. Only recently have minimal access techniques been applied to spinal procedures. METHODS: Forty-seven patients with symptomatic degenerative disc disease underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic exposure of the lumbar spine to facilitate implantation of cylindrical threaded interbody fusion cages. These patients were prospectively followed and all perioperative considerations and complications were documented and analyzed. The surgical technique of laparoscopic exposure will be described. RESULTS: The laparoscopic approach was attempted in 47 consecutive patients. Forty-four were completed laparoscopically--36 single level fusions, seven two level fusions, and one three level fusion. Early in the series, conversion to open surgery was required in one patient (case #3) because of bleeding from the presacral veins which hindered the view. In one case, mobilization of the great vessels proved to be difficult, and in one other case the patient could not tolerate abdominal insufflation. The mean blood loss for the entire group was 105 mls. Complications related to the endoscopic exposure were few. There were no injuries to major vascular structures or to bowel, and no mortalities. In two patients, the cages were malpositioned necessitating repeat endoscopic exposure for cage realignment. One patient required a laparotomy for a postoperative small bowel obstruction. The median postoperative stay was 4 days. CONCLUSIONS: Transperitoneal laparoscopic exposure for single or multiple level, anterior lumbar interbody fusion can be performed with low risk. Experience in open anterior spinal surgery and laparoscopic general surgery is vital in minimizing the risks.

Adult↗