Assessment of risk for intra-abdominal adhesions at laparoscopy for urological tumors

PURPOSE: Abdominal wall adhesions at laparoscopy may predispose patients to access related injuries and increase the complexity of the procedure. We have observed concern from referring physicians regarding the safety of laparoscopy in patients who previously underwent surgery because of the risk of abdominal adhesions. To assess the risk of adhesions at laparoscopy a retrospective cohort study was performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients who underwent a transperitoneal urological laparoscopic procedure in a 6-year period at our institution were included in this study. A chart review was performed to obtain demographic/surgical data and identify preoperative risk factors for adhesions, such as previous abdominal or pelvic surgery, radiation and/or intra-abdominal inflammatory disease. Operative videotapes were reviewed to determine the presence and location of adhesions. Standard statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: During the study period 127 patients underwent transperitoneal laparoscopy and videotapes on 82 (65%) were available for review. A total of 44 patients (54%) were identified with preoperative risk factors for adhesions (group 1), while 38 (46%) had no risk factors (group 2). The relative risk of adhesions was 1.34 (95% CI 0.89 to 2.01, p = 0.18) when risk factors were identified. There were no differences in the groups in patient age, operative time, access technique, conversion to open surgery or complications. Estimated blood loss was significantly higher in group 2, likely due to the preponderance of cytoreductive laparoscopic nephrectomy in this group. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in the risk of intra-abdominal adhesions in patients with and without identifiable preoperative risk factors. Preoperative risk factors for adhesions should not contraindicate the transperitoneal laparoscopic approach for urological oncology procedures.     

Results after laparoscopic lysis of adhesions and placement of seprafilm for intractable abdominal pain

Background: The surgical treatment of patients with chronic abdominal pain resulting from intraabdominal adhesions is controversial. We report our experience with treatment of this challenging patient population using laparoscopic lysis of adhesions (LOA) and placement of Seprafilm (Genzyme, Cambridge, MA, USA). Methods: The participants in this study were 19 consecutive patients (2 men and 17 women) who underwent laparoscopic LOA and placement of Seprafilm between July 1998 and July 2001. Patients with abdominal pain resulting from irritable bowel syndrome, hernias, or endometriosis were excluded. The patients had undergone a mean of 6.4 previous abdominal procedures (range, 1–14) and 2.3 previous LOAs (range, 0–10). They had experienced chronic, intractable abdominal pain for at least 4 months (range, 4–180). Eight patients had preoperative obstructive symptoms. Results: A completely laparoscopic procedure was used to treat 16 patients, whereas the procedure for 3 patients was converted to open surgery because of dense adhesions. Perioperative complications included two patients in whom enterocutaneous fistulae developed and one patient with intraabdominal hematoma. At follow-up (mean, 9.6 months; range, 1–32 months), 14 patients (73.7%) had completely discontinued all pain medications. At this writing, 12 of these patients are completely symptom free. Two patients are taking nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as needed, and three patients require round-the-clock narcotics. Three patients were readmitted with small bowel obstruction, which was managed nonoperatively. One patient had diagnostic laparoscopy for recurrent pain 6 months postoperatively, but had no adhesions. Conclusion: Chronic intractable abdominal pain is relieved in most patients via this approach. Repeat laparoscopy in two patients showed no intraabdominal adhesions. Laparoscopic LOA and placement of Seprafilm is an excellent approach to this challenging patient population with symptoms caused by intraabdominal adhesions.     

A comparative study of postoperative adhesion formation after laparoscopic vs open cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: There is little evidence in the literature to support a lower incidence of adhesion formation following laparoscopic surgery rather than laparotomy. Adhesion formation after laparotomy has been well studied, but we believe that the decrease or absence of adhesions following laparoscopic surgery is underreported. Therefore, we set out to evaluate adhesion formation following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) compared with open cholecystectomy (OC). METHODS: Group A consisted of 18 patients who underwent a second laparoscopy due to various intraabdominal diseases after an LC had already been performed. Group B consisted of eight patients who underwent laparoscopy due to various intraabdominal diseases after an open cholecystectomy performed at an earlier date. In both groups, the frequency, extent, and thickness of adhesions were evaluated according to a standardized scoring system. RESULTS: Ten patients in group A (55.5%) had no adhesion formation either on the treated side of the previous LC or on the trocar entry sites. Three patients (16.6%) had minimal adhesions on the treated side of the previous LC, but no adhesions were observed at the trocar entry sites. Five patients (27.7%) had loose, easily separable adhesions on the treated site of the previous LC and at the trocar entry sites. All eight patients in group B (100%) had thick and extensive adhesions either on the treated side of the previous open cholecystectomy or the anterior abdominal wall below the surgical incision. CONCLUSION: This comparative clinical study suggests that LC results in less adhesion formation, either on the operative or at the trocar entry sites, than open cholecystectomy.     

"Surgical" laparoscopy indications and value]

From 1971-1973, 1046 patients underwent laparoscopy in the gynecological department; 256 of the cases were surgical problems. In contrast to gastroenterological laparoscopy, surgical laparoscopy was performed in the operating room under general anaesthesia and everything prepared for immediate surgery. Major surgical interventions--if necessary--were performed immediately after laparoscopy. Indications for surgical laparoscopy were the following: preoperative evaluation of nature, extent and eventual metastases of tumors. Preoperative differentiation of acute and chronic appendicitis from other affections, particularly in younger female patients. Suspected intraabdominal hemorrhage of traumatic or non-traumatic origin. Evaluation of pathological palpatory findings in the abdominal cavity. Differential diagnosis of chronic relapsing intraabdominal complaints of unknown origin. Differential diagnosis of putrid, tuberculous or carcinomatous peritonitis with eventual biopsy. Preoperative evaluation of questions concerning surgery of liver, gallbladder or pancreas in connection with occlusive jaundice, hepatic cirrhosis or malignancy. The results of this study show, that by laparoscopy in over 50% of the patients, major surgical interventions could be avoided. Contraindications were primarily limited to pulmonal or cardiac insufficiency. The only complication (intestinal perforation), was adequately dealt with under the given operative conditions.     

The laparoscopic approach in abdominal emergencies: a single-center 10-year experience.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopy has rapidly emerged as the preferred surgical approach to a number of different diseases because it allows for a correct diagnosis and proper treatment. In abdominal emergencies, both components of treatment--exploration and surgery--can be accomplished via laparoscopy. The aim of the present work is to illustrate retrospectively the results of a case-control experience with laparoscopic versus open surgery for abdominal emergencies performed at our institution. METHODS: From January 1992 to January 2002, 935 patients (mean age, 42.3+/-17.2 years) underwent emergent or urgent surgery, or both. Of these, 602 (64.3%) were operated on laparoscopically (small bowel obstruction, 28; gastroduodenal ulcer disease, 25; biliary disease, 165; pelvic disease, 370 cases; colonic perforations, 14) based on the availability of a surgical team trained in laparoscopy. Patients with a history of malignancy, more than 2 previous major abdominal surgeries, or massive bowel distension were not treated laparoscopically. Peritonitis was not deemed a contraindication to laparoscopy. RESULTS: The conversion rate was 5.8% and was mainly due to the presence of dense intraabdominal adhesions. Major complications ranged as high as 2.1% with a postoperative mortality of 0.6%. A definitive diagnosis was accomplished in 96.3% of cases, and 94.1% of these patients were treated successfully with laparoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Even if limited by its retrospective nature, the present experience shows that the laparoscopic approach to abdominal emergencies is as safe and effective as conventional surgery, has a higher diagnostic yield, and results in less trauma and a more rapid postoperative recovery. Such features make laparoscopy an attractive alternative to open surgery in the management algorithm for abdominal emergencies.     

Prevalence of infraumbilical adhesions in women with previous laparoscopy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of intraabdominal adhesions to the umbilicus following gynecologic laparoscopy through an umbilical incision. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all gynecologic laparoscopic procedures in a private practice setting to identify patients with a repeat laparoscopy who had a history of a previous laparoscopy through an umbilical incision. Patients with a history of other surgeries were excluded. All repeat laparoscopies used a left upper quadrant entry technique where the abdominal cavity was surveyed for adhesions. We also reviewed adverse events attributable to the left upper quadrant entry approach. RESULTS: We identified 151 patients who underwent a second laparoscopy and had a previous umbilical scar. Thirty-two of the 151 (21.2%) patients with a history of a laparoscopy had evidence of adhesions to the umbilical undersurface. No adverse events or injuries were attributed to the left upper quadrant entry technique. CONCLUSIONS: Adhesions to the umbilical undersurface occur in 21.2% of patients who have undergone a prior laparoscopy through an umbilical incision. For this reason, we recommend an alternate location for entry in patients with an umbilical scar from a previous laparoscopy.     

Cine-MRI detection of intraabdominal adhesions: correlation with intraoperative findings in 89 consecutive cases

Background  This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of functional cine-MRI in detecting abdominal adhesions. Methods  For this study, 89 consecutive patients with adhesion-related complaints after previous abdominal surgery underwent preoperative workup including cine-MRI in transverse and sagittal orientations for a dynamic examination of an induced visceral slide. An abdominal map consisting of nine segments was created to document the location and extent of the adhesion. Cine-MRI and intraoperative findings were correlated. Results  A total of 59 laparotomies and 30 laparoscopies were performed. Four cases required open surgery due to severe adhesions. The use of cine-MRI scan for the detection of adhesions showed an overall accuracy of 90%, a sensitivity of 93%, and a positive predictive value of 96%. The stronger the adhesions, the more accurate the scan findings. Of 44 patients with second-degree MRI scan findings, 50% had second-degree intraoperative findings. Of 35 patients with third- and fourth-degree adhesions on MRI scans, 74% had exactly the same intraabdominal findings at surgery. The MRI scan showed adhesions located in the small intestines (75%), large intestines (35%), abdominal cavity (42%), and reproductive organs (32%). Intraoperatively, adhesions were found in the small intestines (70%), large intestines (40%), abdominal cavity (42%), and reproductive organs (28%). Conclusions  Cine-MRI provides valid preoperative information with respect to extent, location, and strength of intraabdominal adhesions. Cine-MRI is a good alternative for diagnosing abdominal adhesions because objective findings of the scan and intraoperative findings correlate very well with each other. Lang and Buhmann contributed equally to this work.     

Accuracy of viscera slide detection of abdominal wall adhesions by ultrasound

Viscera slide is the normal, longitudinal movement of the intraabdominal viscera caused by respiratory excursions of the diaphragm. By detecting areas of restricted viscera slide, ultrasonic imaging was used to identify anterior abdominal wall adhesions prior to laparotomy or laparoscopy. Transcutaneous ultrasound examination was performed on 110 patients. A prediction of adhesions was made for each patient and then compared to the findings during subsequent laparotomy or laparoscopy. Only patients with previous abdominal surgery or history of peritonitis demonstrated adhesions. Sensitivity and specificity of viscera slide ultrasound in predicting adhesions were 90% and 92%. Nine out of 10 false results involved misinterpretation of ultrasound images of the lower one-third of the abdomen. Ultrasonic imaging of viscera slide is highly accurate in detecting abdominal wall adhesions. This technique is most useful in guiding the insertion of trocar in laparoscopic surgery, and as a noninvasive method in studying the formation of adhesions.     

Use of transabdominal ultrasound to identify intraabdominal adhesions prior to laparoscopy: a prospective blinded study

OVERVIEW: The aim of the current study was to assess the accuracy of transabdominal ultrasound (TAU) in identifying intra-abdominal adhesions (IAA) prior to laparoscopy in patients with previous abdominal surgery. METHODS: Patients with previous open surgical procedures presenting for laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGB) underwent TAU by 1 radiologist. Attempts were made to identify IAA using TAU. The intended trocar sites were categorized as free movement (no adhesions), chaotic movement (omental adhesions), or no movement (frozen bowel). During LGB, adhesions at the 6 trocar sites were graded by 1 blinded surgeon. RESULTS: A significant degree of agreement was found between the radiologist's predictions and the intraoperative findings with regards to identification of trocar sites free of adhesions versus omental adhesions and frozen bowel. CONCLUSIONS: TAU can accurately identify IAA prior to laparoscopy. Widespread application of this technique may decrease trocar-related injuries during laparoscopic procedures in patients with previous abdominal surgery.     

休克型输卵管妊娠腹腔镜手术临床分析

目的 :探讨腹腔镜手术用于治疗低血容量性休克的可行性和安全性。方法 :以 14例低血容量性休克患者为观察组 ,同期随机选择 30例无休克者为对照组 ,比较 2组腹腔积血量 ,手术时间 ,手术方式及术后住院天数。结果 :2组腹腔内出血量分别为 (15 16 6 7± 385 73)ml与 (15 0 75± 10 6 5 3)ml(P <0 0 5 ) ;手术时间 (5 9 17± 11 4 9)min与 (4 4 5± 14 2 3)min(P >0 0 5 ) ;住院天数分别为 (4 33± 0 98)d和 (4± 0 92 )d(P>0 0 5 )。两组患者术后均无并发症发生 ,恢复良好。除观察组 1例为输卵管保守性手术外 ,余均行输卵管切除术。结论 :只要有熟练的手术技巧和良好的麻醉监护 ,腹腔镜手术治疗低血容量性休克是可行的     

The role of staging laparoscopy for multimodal therapy of gastrointestinal cancer

Background: This prospective study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy and the therapeutic relevance of staging laparoscopy. Methods: Between June 1993 and February 1997 staging laparoscopy was performed in 389 patients with various neoplasms. Additionally, 144 selected patients of this group were examined with laparoscopic ultrasound using a semiflexible ultrasound probe (7.5 MHz). Results: Compared to conventional imaging methods, laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasound improved the accuracy of staging in 158 of 389 patients (41%). Statistical subgroup analysis of 131 patients with gastric cancer showed that the accuracy of staging laparoscopy in the detection of distant metastases (68%) was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than that of ultrasound (63%) or computed tomography (58%). In the whole group, laparoscopy alone disclosed intraabdominal tumor dissemination or nonresectable disease in 111 patients. Laparoscopic ultrasound displayed additional metastases—i.e., liver metastases (n = 9), M1 lymph nodes (n = 15), or nonresectable tumors (n = 6) in 30 patients. Although metastastic disease was suggested by preoperative imaging, benign lesions were found in five patients with laparoscopy and in a further 12 patients with ultrasonography. The findings of staging laparoscopy changed the treatment strategy in 45% of the patients. Conversion to open surgery was necessary in 5% of the cases, and complications related to laparoscopy occured in 4% of the patients. Conclusions: Laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasound improves the staging of gastrointestinal tumors and has a significant impact on a stage-adapted surgical therapy. Received: 3 April 1997/Accepted: 26 September 1997     

Laparoskopie bei Dünndarmileus

Today laparoscopic procedures are routinely performed in patients with intestinal adhesions from previous abdominal surgery. Does laparoscopy have a potential benefit in acute small-bowel obstruction? Theoretically, a lower rate of wound complications and incisional hernias, as well as less subsequent adhesions with a lower incidence of recurrent intestinal obstruction, can be expected. However, laparoscopy is successful in only 50-70% of selected patients, thereby representing the highest rate of conversion in minimally invasive surgery. Laparoscopic management of severe abdominal distension with massively dilated and fragile small-bowel or dense adhesions is extremely difficult even when performed by experienced surgeons. Significantly prolonged operating time, the high risk of bowel injury (> 6-10%) and an increased frequency of early reoperations jeopardize the patient's safe outcome. However, in strictly selected patients the laparoscopic approach may be promising. In acute intestinal obstruction without a history of previous abdominal surgery, laparoscopy is--in the absence of adhesions--an excellent diagnostic tool and may also be a successful therapeutic modality in a variety of bowel-obstruction etiologies. Furthermore, the laparoscopic option should be considered in patients who previously had undergone small laparotomies (e.g., appendectomy) or laparoscopic surgery. We recommend "postlaparoscopic" intestinal obstruction as the ideal case for laparoscopic reexploration. Incarcerated hernias at the site of trocar insertion or adhesions due to peritoneal tears are easily identified as the cause of obstruction and successfully cured with the laparoscope. In conclusion, we advocate the laparoscopic approach in acute small-bowel obstruction exclusively for selected patients. Clinical studies are required to define appropriate surgical indications objectively.     

Early results and complications of colorectal laparoscopic surgery and analysis of risk factors in 492 operated cases

This study aimed to evaluate the early results of colorectal laparoscopic surgery with special attention to surgical and medical complications. The risk factors of such surgery are also investigated on the basis of a large series of operated cases: the preoperative knowledge of such factors could guide the operative program and the postoperative treatment with reduction of complications and improvement of the outcome. Between 1998 and 2008, 492 patients had been submitted to colorectal laparoscopic surgery by the same team: 387 for cancer and 105 for benign disease. All colorectal surgical operations are included in the series. No selection of the patients was made: laparoscopy was performed in all cases accepting the procedure. Several risk factors have been analysed in cases of fistula (age, pathology sex, type of the operation, cancer stages, preoperative radiochemotherapy, stool diversion and team experience) and in cases of medical complications (age, pathology, cancer stages and type of operation). The overall results in this series of laparoscopic colorectal operated cases are similar to other results published at present by the main surgical Department all over the world; no mortality and low number of medical (2.4%) and surgical complications (9.3%), with no differences also with the best open surgery series. Complete or partial conversion to open surgery was required in few cases (1.2%) and same others (1.4%) were operated again for bleeding or sudden anastomotic leakage. Regarding the risk factors in such surgery, a good correlation has been discovered between anastomotic leakage and the team experience, the age over 70 of the patients, the rectal tumour site in man, the advanced tumour stages, the previous radiochemotherapy, while medical complications seem to depend on advanced patients age and advanced cancer stages. Laparoscopic colorectal surgery at present is going to be considered the gold standard in the large majority of colorectal diseases including all cancer stages in the preoperative balance and in the early postoperative follow-up a special attention is required to same risk factors like the advanced patients age, the extended cancers, the low positioned rectal tumours. Complications are more frequent at the beginning of the experience of the surgical team and if more than one risk factors coexist, but it do not represent contraindication to laparoscopic surgery.     

Laparoscopy in early postoperative period in elderly and old patients

For diagnosis and treatment of early postoperative intraabdominal complications 118 laparoscopic procedures were performed in 95 patients aged 55 to 94 years. Examination was carried out from 2 hours to 17 days after the first surgery. Diagnostic laparoscopy after surgeries on the liver and bile ducts was performed in 51 patients (most often), after ones on the intestine -- in 12 patients, on the stomach and the duodenum -- in 7, on organs of the small pelvis -- in 6, after appendectomy -- in 6 and after herniotomy -- in 8 patients. Primary surgery was emergency and urgent in 76, elective -- in 19 patients. Results of treatment of similar complications were studied in 91 patients (control group) who underwent laparotomy without previous laparoscopy. Both groups of patients were comparable by sex, age, severity of disease and types of primary surgical procedures. It is demonstrated that diagnostic and curative laparoscopic procedures in early postoperative intraabdominal complications in elderly and old patients permit to reduce lethality 2.4 fold.     

Laparoscopic management of bleeding after laparoscopic or vaginal hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the results and contributions of laparoscopy in the management of postoperative bleeding following laparoscopic (LH) or vaginal hysterectomy (VH). METHODS: A retrospective study of a 5-year period was carried out on 1167 women who underwent laparoscopic or vaginal hysterectomy. Ten women with postoperative bleeding following laparoscopic or vaginal hysterectomy were identified. RESULTS: The overall incidence of bleeding after laparoscopic or vaginal hysterectomy was 0.85% (10 of 1167). Over the 5-year study period, the incidence fluctuated between 1.1% and 0.4%. Surgical revision was primarily vaginal in 1 woman, followed by laparoscopic control. In 6 patients, laparoscopy was performed immediately. The patients profited from the prompt laparoscopic treatment, because intraabdominal hemorrhage was found and stopped. Of 6 cases of intraperitoneal bleeding, 1 resulted from a blood disorder. The collagen-fibrin agent TachoComb was applied locally, and the patient was postoperatively treated with blood products and coagulation factors. Only bipolar coagulation, TachoComb, and Foley catheter were used to achieve local hemostasis during laparoscopy. The remaining 3 cases where the vaginal cuff was bleeding were managed by vaginal repair and packing without laparoscopy. CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic approach to postoperative bleeding following laparoscopic or vaginal hysterectomy is an attractive alternative to the abdominal surgical approach. Bleeding following laparoscopic or vaginal hysterectomy can be managed by laparoscopy in the majority of patients. Because the abdominal incision is avoided, the recovery time is reduced.     

Tumor Seeding following Laparoscopy: International Survey

The aim of the study was to determine if tumor seeding during laparoscopic surgery for cancer is a rare event or a typical complication of this procedure. Laparoscopic staging and treatment of intraabdominal tumors is increasing in gastroenterology, gynecology, and general surgery. A total of 1052 questionnaires were mailed to surgical department chairmen, members of the German Society of Surgery, Swiss Association for Laparoscopic and Thoracoscopic Surgery, and Austrian Society of Minimal Invasive Surgery asking them to list their department's experience with tumor seeding after laparoscopy for nonapparent or known malignancy. There were 607 (57.7%) surgeons who reported a total of 117,840 laparoscopic cholecystectomies, 409 incidental gallbladder carcinomas, and 412 laparoscopies on patients with colorectal carcinoma. Altogether 109 patients who developed tumor recurrence in connection with laparoscopic surgery have been reported. Port-site recurrence was identified in 70 of 409 patients (17.1%) with a median of 180 days following laparoscopic cholecystectomy for nonapparent gallbladder carcinoma. In 8 cases (11.5%) a protective plastic bag had been used for gallbladder retrieval. Six patients without port-site metastases were found to have a diffuse peritoneal carcinomatosis a median of 120 days after cholecystectomy. Of 412 laparoscopies for colorectal cancer, 19 cases (4.6%) of tumor seeding have been reported, 16 of which (3.9%) had documented port-site and scar recurrences a median of 196 days after laparoscopy. The tumor specimen was intact, and a plastic bag was used for extraction in seven cases. In 14 patients trocar-site metastases have been reported a median of 70 days after laparoscopy for different nonapparent or known malignancies. The probability of developing abdominal wall metastasis is higher after laparoscopy for cancer than after open surgery. An intact surgical specimen and the use of a plastic retrieval bag do not exclude the risk of port-site recurrences. These facts and the early appearance of peritoneal carcinosis in a few cases of intraabdominal malignancies seem to confirm a specific laparoscopic risk for intraperitoneal tumor cell seeding and implantation.     

Laparoscopic vs. open intraoperative ultrasound examination of the liver: A controlled study

A prospective study was undertaken to determine whether the use of laparoscopy plus laparoscopic ultrasound examination can avoid unnecessary laparotomy, without missing potentially curable disease, in patients scheduled for curative liver surgery. Thirty-one consecutive patients who underwent surgery for planned curative liver surgery were prospectively evaluated by means of both laparoscopy plus laparoscopic ultrasound and laparotomy with intraoperative ultrasound. Laparoscopic ultrasound examination of the liver could not be performed in two patients, and in two other patients only partial examinations were possible because of dense adhesions. All patients underwent laparotomy with intraoperative ultrasound. A total of 50 malignant at laparotomy with intraoperative ultrasound, that is, there were no false positive results. An additional four malignant lesions in four patients were not seen at laparoscopic ultrasound examination but were identified at laparotomy with intraoperative ultrasound (sensitivity 93%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, negative predictive value 85%). Based on the laparoscopic ultrasound findings, nontherapeutic laparotomy could have been avoided in 10% of our patients. Laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasound is a promising technology that may allow some patients to avoid a nontherapeutic laparotomy without significant risk of missing potentially curable disease. Presented at the Thirty-Seventh Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, San Francisco, Calif., May 19–22, 1996.     

Laparoscopy for acute small-bowel obstruction secondary to adhesions

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Postoperative adhesions are the leading cause of small-bowel obstruction in developed countries. Several arguments suggest that laparoscopy may lead to fewer adhesions than does laparotomy. We report here the short-term results of laparoscopy in patients admitted on an emergency basis for acute small-bowel obstruction secondary to adhesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective trial included 134 consecutive patients: 39 underwent emergency surgery, and 95 had laparoscopic adhesiolysis shortly after resolution of the obstruction with nasogastric suction. Of the previous operations for which the dates were known, 16% had taken place within 1 year of the obstruction and 33.5% within 5 years. In all, 27% of the patients had open laparoscopy, and 16% had conversions: 7% after elective laparoscopy and 36% after emergency laparoscopy. RESULTS: There were no operative deaths. One patient underwent a reoperation the following day for fistula after incomplete adhesiolysis attributable to multiple adhesions found during elective laparoscopy. If laparoscopy is considered to have failed when adhesiolysis was incomplete or conversion or reoperation was necessary, our success rate was 80% after elective laparoscopy and 59% after emergency laparoscopy. CONCLUSION: Emergency situations in acute small-bowel obstruction combine several circumstances unfavorable for laparoscopy: a limited work area and a distended and fragile small bowel. Laparoscopic adhesiolysis after the crisis has passed may produce better results, but only long-term follow-up can confirm the role of elective laparoscopy for this indication.     

Indications for hand-assisted laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation for liver tumors

PURPOSE: Radiofrequency ablation has established itself as the preferred treatment for irresectable liver tumors. It can be performed either percutaneously, laparoscopically, or by open surgery. The choice of approach depends on the patient and tumor-related variables. The laparoscopic approach appears to be the safest and most effective method for small tumors on the liver surface. It also provides additional information on the intrahepatic tumor burden with the use of intraoperative ultrasound and staging laparoscopy. Furthermore, the pneumoperitoneum reduces the flow of the portal vein and increases the efficacy of the ablation. Depending on the location of the tumor, mobilization of the liver or lysis of adhesions from previous surgery can require open surgery. Our aim was to study the combined use of laparoscopy and laparotomy by using hand-assisted laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed hand-assisted laparoscopy to ablate nine tumors in seven patients, enabling us to combine most of the advantages of laparoscopy and open surgery. The radiofrequency ablation was technically simple to perform. A laparoscopy of the entire abdominal cavity and a thorough examination of the entire liver via ultrasound was also performed. RESULTS: The electrode was accurately placed in all patients. In four patients, a complete mobilization of the right lobe was performed to obtain the easiest possible access to the tumor. In three patients, severe adhesions from previous surgeries were removed prior to insertion of the laparoscopic tools. The ablation was completed safely and successfully in all patients. CONCLUSION: Our overall impression of the hand-assisted laparoscopic approach is that it seems to have a major advantage in comparison with simple laparoscopy, specifically for adhesions from previous surgeries and when the right liver lobe requires mobilization. Also, needle placement seems to be far more accurate than with simple laparoscopy.     

Laparoscopic appendectomy: why it should be done.

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