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PubMed1999

Laparoscopic fusion of the lumbar spine: minimally invasive spine surgery. A prospective multicenter study evaluating open and laparoscopic lumbar fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: Two hundred-forty consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic instrumented interbody fusion using custom-designed instrumentation and BAK (Sulzer Spine Tech, Minneapolis, MN) fusion cages. The surgeries were performed at eight spine centers during U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigational device evaluation clinical trials. This cohort was compared with 591 consecutive patients undergoing open anterior fusion with the same device. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the feasibility and safety of the laparoscopic approach compared with that of open procedures. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: In other areas of medicine, advances in laparoscopic surgical procedures have resulted in reduced morbidity, expense, and pain when compared with results of the open counterpart. METHODS: The open anterior procedure was performed using a retroperitoneal approach. The laparoscopic procedure was performed transperitoneally with carbon dioxide insufflation to provide visualization using a 10-mm endoscope. Two hollow, titanium, threaded interbody implants packed with autologous bone were inserted into the diseased interspace. RESULTS: The laparoscopy group had a shorter hospital stay and reduced blood loss but had increased operative time. Operative time improved in the laparoscopy group as surgeons' experience increased. Operative complications were comparable in both groups, with an occurrence of 4.2% in the open approach and 4.9% in the laparoscopic approach. Overall, the device-related reoperation rate was higher in the laparoscopy group (4.7% vs. 2.3%), primarily as a result of intraoperative disc herniation. Conversion to open procedure in the laparoscopy group was 10%, with most cases predictable and preventable. CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopic procedure is associated with a learning curve, but once mastered, it is effective and safe when compared with open techniques of fusion.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Splenic artery embolization using contour emboli before laparoscopic or laparoscopically assisted splenectomy.

The present study assessed preoperative splenic artery embolization using spherical embolic material, super absorbent polymer microspheres (SAP-MS), before laparoscopic or laparoscopically assisted splenectomy. Distal splenic artery embolization using 250 to 400 microm SAP-MS was performed in nine cases with ITP and in seven cases with the other diseases with splenomegaly. Laparoscopic or laparoscopically assisted splenectomies, including a hand-assisted procedure and the procedure involving left upper minilaparotomy, were done 2 to 4 hours after embolization. Conversion to traditional laparotomy was not required in any of the 16 cases, while conversion to 12-cm laparotomy was required in one case with massive splenomegaly. Mean operating time was 161 minutes, and mean intraoperative blood loss was 290 mL. No major postoperative complications were identified, and only one patient reported postembolic pain before surgery. Preoperative splenic artery embolization using painless embolic material, SAP-MS, would be effective for easy and safe laparoscopic or laparoscopically assisted splenectomy.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The effect of previous transperitoneal laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy on transperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: Previous laparoscopic herniorrhaphy has been considered a contraindication to laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP). In this study we analyzed the impact of previous laparoscopic or open inguinal hernia repair on the outcome of transperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy using the Heilbronn technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our database of 1,089 patients with LRP we identified 20 who underwent transperitoneal LRP and had a history of transperitoneal laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy using prosthetic mesh (group 1). The outcome in that group was compared to that of 20 matched pair patients of a total of 95 in whom LRP was performed following open inguinal herniorrhaphy (group 2) and 20 matched pair patients of a total of 771 without previous surgery (group 3). Perioperative parameters (operative time, blood donation and complications) and postoperative results (duration and amount of analgesic treatment, catheterization and the continence rate) were analyzed. RESULTS: According to the matched pair algorithm the 3 groups did not differ with respect to age (63.8, 66.2 and 63.0 years, p = 0.226), prostate volume (47.2, 43.3 and 47.7 gm, p = 0.501) or body mass index (26.1, 25.8 and 26.2 kg/m, respectively, p = 0.641). Ten pelvic lymphadenectomies and 8 nerve sparing (4 unilateral and 4 bilateral) procedures were performed per group. Ten and 12 patients in groups 1 and 2 had a history of bilateral herniorrhaphy, while previous unilateral herniorrhaphy was noted in the remaining 10 and 8, respectively. Mean operative time +/- SD (203.3 +/- 3.54, 196.7 +/- 43.7 and 214.7 +/- 37.7 minutes, p = 0.346) and mean catheterization time (8.1 +/- 2.8, 7.7 +/- 2.5 and 7.4 +/- 2.1 days, respectively, p = 0.684) did not differ significantly among the 3 groups. However, the mean amount of narcotic analgesic was significantly higher in group 1 compared with groups 2 and 3 (32.1 +/- 11.9, 21.8 +/- 11.9 and 19.5 +/- 10.1 mg, respectively, p = 0.002). Continence rates were similar in the groups at 88%, 87% and 92%, respectively, 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Previous laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy using prosthetic mesh does not adversively affect the operative outcomes or functional results of LRP, while the total amount of narcotic analgesics was significantly higher, reflecting increased postoperative morbidity.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Mini-laparoscopic versus laparoscopic approach to appendectomy.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this clinical study is to evaluate the feasibility of using 2-mm laparoscopic instruments to perform an appendectomy in patients with clinically suspected acute appendicitis and compare the outcome of this mini-laparoscopic or "needlescopic" approach to the conventional laparoscopic appendectomy. METHODS: Two groups of patients undergoing appendectomy over 24 months were studied. In the first group, needlescopic appendectomy was performed in 15 patients by surgeons specializing in advanced laparoscopy. These patients were compared with the second or control group that included 21 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. We compared the patients' demographic data, operative findings, complications, postoperative pain medicine requirements, length of hospital stay, and recovery variables. Differences were considered statistically significant at a p-value < 0.05. RESULTS: Patient demographics, history of previous abdominal surgery, and operative findings were similar in both groups. There was no conversion to open appendectomy in either group. No postoperative morbidity or mortality occurred in either group. The needlescopic group had a significantly shorter mean operative time (p = 0.02), reduced postoperative narcotics requirements (p = 0.05), shorter hospital stay (p = 0.04), and quicker return to work (p = 0.03) when compared with the laparoscopic group. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the needlescopic technique is a safe and effective approach to appendectomy. When performed by experienced laparoscopic surgeons, the needlescopic technique results in significantly shorter postoperative convalescence and a prompt recovery.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Taking posterior rectus sheath laparoscopically to reinforce the gastrojejunostomy in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND: The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) is now performed laparoscopically widely with low morbidity and mortality. However, in some cases long-term adequate weight loss is not satisfied because of dilatation of the gastrojejunostomy. Therefore, a prosthetic material and bio-membranes have been used to prevent dilatation. In this study, we used posterior rectus sheath by laparoscopy, to evaluate feasibility and safety of the procedure. METHODS: 20 Yorkshire pigs, under general anesthesia, had a standard laparoscopic RYGBP. In addition, 10 had their gastrojejunostomy anastomosis wrapped with 2x10 cm posterior rectus sheath. Clinical and operative outcome after operation were compared with the control group of laparoscopic RYGBP cases. RESULTS: The median weight of the pigs was 46.1 kg (range 42-51) in the posterior rectus sheath-applied group and 45.2 kg (range 42-49) in the control group. All gastrojejunostomies in the posterior rectus sheath-applied group were successfully reinforced laparoscopically. Both groups loss weight compared with their normal growth weight, but there was no significant difference in the median weight loss between the two groups. Two pigs in the posterior rectus sheath-applied group developed a stenosis at the gastrojejunostomy anastomosis following RYGBP. All pigs in the posterior rectus sheath-applied group were found to develop hypertrophic smooth muscle and connective tissue scarring at the gastrojejunostomy on histologic examination. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic application of posterior rectus sheath around the gastrojejunostomy in laparoscopic RYGBP is feasible and safe. The sheath-applied group developed stenosis and connective tissue scarring. Additional research is needed to evaluate effectiveness in preventing dilation of the anastomosis.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed2000

[Laparoscopic ileo-cecal resection: case report and review of current issues in laparoscopic colorectal surgery].

A successful case of laparoscopic ileocecal resection is presented. The laparoscopic surgical techniques are described. Advantages, disadvantages and controversial issues surrounding laparoscopic or laparoscopically assisted colorectal surgery are discussed. Reviewing the current literature and the authors' collective clinical experience, the conclusion is that laparoscopic or laparoscopically assisted procedures are clear indications for benign colorectal diseases. The authors believe that these approaches can be employed as palliative measures in malignant diseases or as curative procedures in prospective randomised trials.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2001

Treatment of inguinodynia after laparoscopic herniorrhaphy: a combined laparoscopic and fluoroscopic approach to the removal of helical tackers.

Laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy has become a popular operation for the treatment of inguinal hernia. However, injury and entrapment of the cutaneous nerves of the lumbar plexus by the staples or tackers used for mesh fixation have been described. Laparoscopic removal of the staples or tackers in the inguinal region has been attempted with variable success. The success of the laparoscopic approach for removal of helical tackers in particular is sometimes limited by the fact that the offending tackers are deeply embedded in the preperitoneal tissues and not readily located with a simple laparoscopic view. The authors report a case in which fluoroscopy was used to help identify tackers that could not be visualized laparoscopically. The neuralgia disappeared after successful removal of the offending tackers with no neurologic deficit. Liberal use of fluoroscopic guidance in the laparoscopic removal of helical tackers in similar cases is recommended.

Fluoroscopy↗
PubMed2002

Laparoscopic-ultraminilaparotomic myomectomy (LUM)-laparoscopic-ultraminilaparotomic embolized myomectomy (LUEM). Surgical techniques.

Laparoscopic myomectomy has been performed for more than 20 years. More recently other techniques such as laparoscopically assisted vaginal myomectomy (LAVM) and laparoscopically assisted myomectomy (LAM) have also been introduced. Laparoscopic-ultraminilaparotomic myomectomy (LUM) and laparoscopic-ultraminilaparotomic embolized myomectomy (LUEM), a new surgical technique which integrates laparoscopy and ultraminilaparotomy and embolization, has been created by our group and has been found to be superior to the conventional laparoscopy for the treatment of uterine fibromas especially in large myomas > 9 cm. This technique allows us to apply a suture on the uterine incision totally similar to the suture of a conventional laparotomy, by using the small breach of the cutaneous incision of the uterine morcellator (25 mm) and drawing the uterus below this abdominal aperture. This kind of surgical procedure is associated with presurgical embolization, that we call LUEM (laparoscopic ultraminilaparotomic embolized myomectomy) of the afferent vessels to the myoma in myomas with diameters equal or superior to 14 cm to avoid blood loss during the surgical procedure. Between June 1999 and March 2002, a total of 62 patients wishing to become pregnant were treated with this method. LUM allows us to increase the feasibility and safety of the operation, while assuring a better stability of the uterine suture and reduction of surgical time. LUEM has the advantages of LUM but permits in an absolutely hemostatic situation the application of laparoscopy in the surgery of large myomas superior to 14 cm.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Laparoscopic repair of umbilical hernias in conjunction with other laparoscopic procedures.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the feasibility of laparoscopic transfascial suture repair of umbilical hernias when combined with another laparoscopic procedure that potentially contaminates the peritoneal cavity. METHOD: From August 1997 to November 2001, 32 patients underwent laparoscopic umbilical suture repair in association with another laparoscopic procedure. The repair was performed with the Carter-Thomason suture passer. RESULTS: Of the 32, 26 patients with more than 1-year follow-up were included in the study. The mean diameter of the umbilical hernia defect was 1.67 cm (range, 0.5 to 3). At a mean follow-up of 34 months (range, 12 to 60), there were only 2 recurrences (7.7%) both of which happened in patients with hernia defects larger than 2 cm in diameter. Apart from 2 wound infections, no other complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic suture repair of umbilical hernias with the suture passer method is effective and durable even when combined with other laparoscopic procedures that potentially contaminate the peritoneal cavity with bile or enteric contents.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Laparoscopic re-exploration in mechanical bowel obstruction after laparoscopic gastric bypass for morbid obesità.

AIM: This study reports a series of 7 patients who experienced small-bowel obstruction (SBO) after laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGBP). METHODS: Between July 2001 and June 2004, 211 patients underwent surgery for morbid obesity in 2 different institutions and 7 of them required reoperative laparoscopic surgery or laparotomy for mechanical SBO. RESULTS: Seven patients in the series (3%) developed a postoperative bowel obstruction requiring operative management. Their mean body mass index was 49 (range: 38-65) and the average age was 48 years (range 29-60). Six (86%) had undergone an initial LGBP. One (14%) had been converted to open surgery because of the presence of thick adhesions. One percent of the patients (14%) had undergone abdominal surgery prior to gastric bypass. The most common cause of SBO was internal hernia through a mesenteric defect (57%), followed by adhesions (14%), obstruction at the entero-enterostomy (14%) and Petersen hernia (14%). The obstruction was managed laparoscopically. Small-bowel resection was required in 14% with no death encountered after the second revision of the entero-enterostomy. Recovery time was less than 72 h after laparoscopic approach and more than 92 h following the open procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic surgical correction of SBO following LGBP in morbidly obese patients is feasible. Reoperation of morbidly obese patients after LGBP can be achieved successfully through laparoscopic techniques.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1993

Predictors of laparoscopic complications after formal training in laparoscopic surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between laparoscopic complication rates and surgeon-dependent variables following a laparoscopic training course. DESIGN: Participants were surveyed regarding their interval laparoscopic experience 3 months and 12 months after the course. PARTICIPANTS: Course participants/survey respondents represented a cross section of urologic surgeons in the United States. A total of 181 individuals (61% of 297 participants) completed and returned the 3-month questionnaire. A total of 128 surgeons responded to the 12-month questionnaire (78.5% of 163 participants). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Logistic regression analysis tested the relationship between surgeons' complication rates and study variables. RESULTS: At 3 months, surgeons who performed clinical procedures without additional training were 3.39 times more likely to have at least one complication compared with surgeons who sought additional training (P = .03). At 12 months, surgeons who had attended the training course alone, were in solo practice, or performed laparoscopic surgery with a variable assistant were 4.85, 7.74, and 4.80 times more likely, respectively, to have had a complication than their counterparts who attended the course with a partner, were in group practice, or operated with the same assistant (P = .004, P = .0008, and P = .0015, respectively). At both 3 and 12 months, laparoscopic complication rates of individual surgeons demonstrated a significant inverse correlation with the number of laparoscopic procedures performed. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of complications associated with the clinical learning curve can be decreased by additional education following an initial course in laparoscopy. An ongoing clinical association with surgeons performing similar procedures decreases long-term complication rates.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1996

Laparoscopic aortic replacement in the porcine model: a feasibility study in preparation for laparoscopically assisted abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in humans.

BACKGROUND: Current laparoscopic vascular techniques have centered around aortofemoral bypass for the treatment of patients with aortic occlusive disease. However, the majority of aortic surgeries are performed for the treatment of aortic aneurysmal disease. With this mind, we undertook this study to assess the feasibility of laparoscopic aortic replacement in the porcine model in preparation for laparoscopically assisted abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in humans. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-three female pigs weighing between 35 and 40 kg underwent laparoscopic aortic dissection by either a transabdominal or retroperitoneal approach. The infrarenal aorta was laparoscopically dissected, isolated, and cross clamped. Then a custom designed cuffed polytetrafluoroethylene graft was inserted. After reestablishing and confirming distal flow, the animals were sacrificed. RESULTS: Fifteen functioning aortic grafts were placed in 21 animals who had the transabdominal approach. One functioning graft was placed in the retroperitoneal group. Complications included bladder, ureteral, inferior vena cava, renal vein, and aortic injuries. By the end of the study, the operative time was reduced from six to less than two hours; blood loss was reduced from 1,000 to 150 mL; and cross-clamping time was reduced from 60 to 15 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: In the porcine model, laparoscopic abdominal aortic replacement is associated with a significant learning curve. However, this method of repair is technically feasible and warrants further investigation in the treatment of AAA in humans.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Laparoscopic choledochoscopy with a small-caliber endoscope. A safe and effective technique for laparoscopic common bile duct exploration.

Incidental choledocholithiasis has been reported in 4-5% of cases during routine cholangiography. Many surgeons have resisted laparoscopic common bile duct exploration as a time-consuming and technically frustrating procedure, preferring to send the patient for postoperative ERCP. The purpose of this study was to objectively assess the safety, efficacy, and facility of transcystic duct choledochoscopy using a small-caliber choledochoscope with facilitated insertion technique. Twenty-five consecutive patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) were studied prospectively. Choledochoscopy was carried out with a simplified introducer system using a 6.9-French choledochoscope. An arbitrary limit of 10 min was established for gaining access to the common bile duct (CBD). Incidental CBD stones were found in two of the 25 procedures (8%) and were cleared laparoscopically. The CBD was successfully entered in 21 of 25 attempts (84%). The average time for the entire procedure was 8.7 min. There were no procedure-related complications. Clinical application of this procedure was reviewed in a personal series of 742 LCs. Transcystic laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCDE) was successful in clearing stones from the CBD 75% of the time and the addition of laparoscopic choledochotomy brought the success of LCDE to 81%. Excluding patients where transcystic LCDE was not attempted, the overall success rate was 91%.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Risk factors for perioperative complications in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: analysis of 22,953 consecutive cases from the Swiss Association of Laparoscopic and Thoracoscopic Surgery database.

BACKGROUND: Reliable risk factors for perioperative complications in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy would be extremely useful to optimize the clinical management. This study aimed to determine risk factors that can be used for predicting perioperative complications. STUDY DESIGN: Possible risk factors for perioperative complications in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute and chronic cholecystitis were analyzed by a stepwise logistic regression model using data from the Swiss Association of Laparoscopic and Thoracoscopic Surgery (SALTS) database. RESULTS: A total of 22,953 patients with a mean (+/-SD) age of 54.5+/-16.1 years (range 17 to 89 years) and a male-to-female ratio of 1:2, underwent elective (85%) and emergency (15%) laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Multivariable analysis showed that male gender (odds ratio [OR]=1.16; p<0.0001), duration of intervention (OR=1.68 per 30 minutes; p<0.0001), body weight (>90 kg versus<60 kg; OR=1.34; p<0.0001), and the surgeon's own experience (>100 versus 11 to 100 interventions; OR=1.36; p<0.0002) were independently associated with an increased intraoperative local complication rate. In addition, male gender (OR=1.21; p<0.02), age (OR=1.12 per 10 years; p<0.0001), intraoperative complications (OR=2.1; p<0.0001), conversion to open surgery (OR=1.25; p<0.01), American Society of Anesthesiologists risk score (ASA score III/IV versus I/II: OR=1.28; p<0.0005), body weight (<60 kg versus>90 kg; OR=1.53; p<0.007), emergency surgery (OR=1.36; p<0.003), and duration of surgery (OR=1.28 per 30 minutes; p<0.0001) were found to be associated with a higher incidence of postoperative local complications. Higher postoperative systemic complications were encountered with conversion (OR=1.5; p<0.0002), ASA score (III/IV versus I/II: OR=1.54; p<0.0001), emergency surgery (OR=1.41; p<0.001), and a prolonged intervention time (OR=1.16 per 30 minutes; p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: For patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), the risk of possible perioperative complications can be estimated based on patient characteristics (gender, age, ASA score, body weight), clinical findings (acute versus chronic cholecystitis), and the surgeon's own clinical practice with LC. So in the likelihood of a case being a "difficult cholecystectomy," an experienced surgeon should be involved both in the decision-making process and during the operation. If LC lasts longer than 2 hours, the cumulative risk for perioperative complications is four times higher compared with an intervention that lasts between 30 and 60 minutes, independent of the surgeon's personal skills with LC.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

A comparison of laparoscopic ultrasound with digital fluorocholangiography for detecting choledocholithiasis during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic ultrasound is an alternative to operative cholangiogram for evaluation of the common bile duct (CBD) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. It is a safe, fast, and reliable method for detecting choledocholithiasis. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of laparoscopic ultrasound (LUS) and digital fluorocholangiogram (DFCG) in a three-phase study of 360 consecutive patients. RESULTS: In phase I, 140 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy had LUS performed first, followed by DFCG. Thirteen patients had CBD calculi identified on LUS. Four patients with confirmed (two cases) or presumed (two cases) CBD calculi on DFCG were not identified on LUS. Thus, the specificity of LUS was 100%, whereas the sensitivity was 76.5%. DFCG had four false positives, for a sensitivity of 100% with a specificity of 96.7%. LUS was performed, on average, in 6.6 min, whereas DFCG required 10.9 min to perform. In phase II, the infusion of saline through a cystic duct catheter was performed in instances where the distal CBD could not be well seen. This maneuver distended the intrapancreatic portion of the CBD, allowing better visualization. Nine stones were identified on LUS in 78 patients, increasing the sensitivity to 100%. One false positive DCFG was encountered, resulting in a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 98.6%. In phase III, we performed routine LUS and used DFCG only in select cases. The sensitivity and specificity for LUS were 95.7% and 100%, respectively, whereas DFCG had a sensitivity of 95.2% and a specificity of 100%. One patient in phase III has returned 11 months post-op with a CBD stone. This was initially missed on LUS, DFCG, and postoperative ERCP. The sensitivity and specificity in all 360 patients were 90% and 100% for LUS and 98.1% and 98.1% for DFCG, respectively. A total of five CBD stones were missed by LUS, four early in the study (phase I). One missed on LUS in phase III was also missed by DFCG and ERCP. CONCLUSIONS: LUS is a reliable alternative to DFCG during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). With experience, it is as sensitive as DFCG and more specific. It is more rapidly performed than cholangiography.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Switzerland. A prospective 3-year study of 10,174 patients. Swiss Association of Laparoscopic and Thoracoscopic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: We set out to analyze the technical aspects, intraoperative complications, morbidity, and mortality of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a multi-institutional study representative of Switzerland. METHODS: Data were collected from 10,174 patients from 82 surgical services. A total of 353 different parameters per patient were included. RESULTS: We found intraoperative complications in 34.4% of patients and had a conversion rate of 8.2%. This rate was significantly increased in patients with complicated cholelithiasis and in those with previous upper-but not lower-abdominal surgery. In most cases, conversions to open procedures were required because of technical difficulties due to inflammatory changes and/or unclear anatomical findings at the time of operation. Bleeding was a common intraoperative complication, that significantly increased the risk of conversion. Patients with loss of gallstones in the peritoneal cavity had increased rates of abscesses. The rate of common bile duct injuries was 0.31%, but it decreased significantly as the laparoscopic experience of the surgeon increased. The rate of common bile duct injuries was not increased in patients with acute cholecystitis or in the 1.32% of patients undergoing laparoscopic common bile duct exploration. Intraoperative cholangiography did not reduce the risk of common bile duct injuries, but it allowed them to be diagnosed intraoperatively in 75% of patients. Local complications were recorded in 4.79% of patients, and systemic complications were seen in 5.59%. The mortality rate was 0.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Although laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe procedure, the rate of conversion to open cholecystectomy is still substantial. The conversion rate depends both on the indication and intraoperative complications. There is still a 10.38% morbidity associated with the procedure; however, the incidence of common bile duct injuries, which decreases with growing laparoscopic experience, was relatively low.

Cholangiography↗
PubMed1999

A prospective comparison of laparoscopic ultrasound vs intraoperative cholangiogram during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: The laparoscopic ultrasound (US) probe provides a new modality for evaluating biliary anatomy during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). METHODS: We performed a laparoscopic US examination in 65 patients without suspected common bile duct (CBD) stones prior to the performance of a laparoscopic cholangiogram (IOC). We then compared the cost, time required, surgeon's assessment of difficulty, and interpretations of findings. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the cost of US versus the cost of IOC ($362 +/- 12 versus $665 +/- 12; p < 0.05). Surgeons who had performed >10 US (EXP) were compared with those who had performed </=10 (NOV). There were significant differences between the EXP and NOV groups in ease of examination, visualization of biliary anatomy, and accuracy of measurement of the CBD. CONCLUSIONS: The use of laparoscopic US for the accurate evaluation of the CBD and biliary anatomy requires that the surgeon has surpassed the learning curve, which we have defined as having performed >10 US exams.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Registry of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and new and evolving laparoscopic techniques.

To collect information on the rapid application of laparoscopic surgery, the National Laparoscopic Surgery Registry surveyed more than 4,000 of the 16,000 currently practicing laparoscopic surgeons. Preliminary analysis of the data has revealed that most of the respondents had been trained in general surgery, but a small percentage were certified only in surgical subspecialties. Surgeons acquiring skills in laparoscopic surgery had various levels of experience ranging from less than 1 year to more than 38 years in surgical practice. Nearly 90% of the respondents attended a laparoscopic cholecystectomy course with hands-on training. In those courses, an average of 16 hours was devoted to animal laboratories for acquisition of skills. Additional training in the form of a preceptorship is being undertaken by an increasing number of surgeons. The future of minimally invasive surgery is being supported by rapid advances in technology. New video systems capable of displaying three-dimensional images and miniaturized fiberoptic scopes are now available. Computer enhanced three-dimensional ultrasound images provide the surgeon with the ability to examine the content and consistency of tissues in addition to their appearance. Advances in mechanical retraction may eliminate the need for carbon dioxide insufflation of the abdomen. Tissue repair using tissue glues or laser-mediated processes may reduce the need for endocavitary suturing. These advances in technology and techniques may reduce the morbidity and mortality of these surgical procedures and, ultimately, improve the standard of care for surgical patients.

Animals↗