Laparoscopic management of benign ovarian disease.

There was little controversy in the management of ovarian cysts until 15 years ago when operative endoscopy gained popularity. Before this time, laparotomy was the standard form of treatment for pelvic masses. Simple cysts were treated laproscopically by aspiration and solid or large tumors with any malignant potential by laparotomy. Constantly improving technology and instrumentation has allowed more and more operations to be performed laparoscopically. The gynecological oncologist has been wary of adopting this form of surgery for potential gynecological malignancies because of the safety and efficacy issues. Pelvic pathology, particularly ovarian tumors, pose a difficult problem. Apart from difficulty in screening, it is also difficult to confirm the nature of an ovarian pathology using the currently available investigative modalities. If the nature of an ovarian cyst can be ascertained beyond doubt, then the treatment can be simple, laparoscopy for benign and laparotomy for malignant. Having said that, more enthusiastic operative laparoscopists are using this approach to treat gynecological malignancies. We discuss the role of laparoscopy in the management of ovarian cysts.     

Laparoscopic management of benign cystic lesions of the liver

We present our experience in the laparoscopic management of benign liver cysts. The aim of the study was to analyze the technical feasibility of such management and to evaluate safety and outcome on follow-up. Between September 1990 and October 1997, 31 patients underwent laparoscopic liver surgery for benign cystic lesions. Indications were: solitary giant liver cysts (n = 16); polycystic liver disease (PLD; n = 9); and hydatid cysts (n = 6). All giant solitary liver cysts were considered for laparoscopy. Only patients with PLD and large dominant cysts located in anterior liver segments, and patients with large hydatid cysts, regardless of segment or small partially calcified cysts in a safe laparoscopic segment, were included. Patients with cholangitis, cirrhosis, and significant cardiac disease were excluded. Data were collected prospectively. The procedures were completed laparoscopically in 29 patients. The median size of the solitary liver cysts was 14 cm (range, 7–22 cm). Conversion to laparotomy occurred in 2 patients (6.4%), to control bleeding. The median operative time was 141 min (range, 94–165 min) for patients with PLD and 179 min (range, 88–211 min) for patients with hydatid cysts. All solitary liver cysts were fenestrated in less than 1 h. There were no deaths. Complications occurred in 6 patients (19%). Two hemorrhagic and two infectious complications were noted after management of hydatid cysts. Three patients were transfused. The median length of hospital stay was 1.3 days (range, 1–3 days), 3 days (range, 2–7 days), and 5 days (range, 2–17 days) for solitary cyst, PLD, and hydatid cysts, respectively. Median follow-up was 30 months (range, 3–78 months). There was no recurrence of solitary liver cyst or hydatid cysts. One patient with PLD presented with symptomatic recurrent cysts at 6 months, requiring laparotomy. We conclude that laparoscopic liver surgery can be accomplished safely in patients with giant solitary cysts, regardless of location. The laparoscopic management of polycystic liver disease should be reserved for patients with a limited number of large, anteriorly located cysts. Hydatid disease is best treated through an open approach. Received for publication on Aug. 21, 1999; accepted on Sept. 2, 1999     

Laparoscopic management of benign solid and cystic lesions of the liver

OBJECTIVE: The authors present their experience in the laparoscopic management of benign liver disease. The aim of the study is to analyze technical feasibility and evaluate immediate and long-term outcome. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Indications for the laparoscopic management of varied abdominal conditions have evolved. Although the minimally invasive treatment of liver cysts has been reported, the laparoscopic approach to other liver lesions remains undefined. METHODS: Between September 1990 and October 1997, 43 patients underwent laparoscopic liver surgery. There were two groups of benign lesions: cysts (n = 31) and solid tumors (n = 12). Indications were solitary giant liver cysts (n = 16), polycystic liver disease (n = 9), hydatid cyst (n = 6), focal nodular hyperplasia (n = 3), and adenoma (n = 9). Only solid tumors, hydatid cysts, and patients with polycystic disease and large dominant cysts located in anterior liver segments were included. All giant solitary liver cysts were considered for laparoscopy. Patients with cholangitis, cirrhosis, and significant cardiac disease were excluded. Data were collected prospectively. RESULTS: The procedures were completed laparoscopically in 40 patients. Median size was 4 cm for solid nodules and 14 cm for solitary liver cysts. Conversion occurred in three patients (7%), for bleeding (n = 2) and impingement of a solid tumor on the inferior vena cava (n = 1). The median operative time was 179 minutes. All solitary liver cysts were fenestrated in less than 1 hour. There were no deaths. Complications occurred in 6 cases (14.1%). Two hemorrhagic and two infectious complications were noted after management of hydatid cysts. There were no complications after resection of solid tumors. Three patients received transfusions (7%). The median length of stay was 4.7 days. Median follow-up was 30 months. There was no recurrence of solitary liver or hydatid cysts. One patient with polycystic disease had symptomatic recurrent cysts at 6 months requiring laparotomy. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic liver surgery can be accomplished safely in selected patients with small benign solid tumors located in the anterior liver segments and giant solitary cysts. The laparoscopic management of polycystic liver disease should be reserved for patients with a limited number of large, anteriorly located cysts. Hydatid disease is best treated through an open approach.     

Laparoscopic liver resection of benign liver tumors

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility, safety, and outcome of laparoscopic liver resection for benign liver tumors in a multicenter setting. Background: Despite restrictive, tailored indications for resection in benign liver tumors, an increasing number of articles have been published concerning laparoscopic liver resection of these tumors. Methods: A retrospective study was performed in 18 surgical centres in Europe regarding their experience with laparoscopic resection of benign liver tumors. Detailed standardized questionnaires were used that focused on patient's characteristics, clinical data, type and characteristics of the tumor, technical details of the operation, and early and late clinical outcome. Results: From March 1992 to September 2000, 87 patients suffering from benign liver tumor were included in this study: 48 patients with focal nodular hyperplasia (55%), 17 patients with liver cell adenoma (21%), 13 patients with hemangioma (15%), 3 patients with hamartoma (3%), 3 patients with hydatid liver cysts (3%), 2 patients with adult polycystic liver disease (APLD) (2%), and 1 patient with liver cystadenoma (1%). The mean size of the tumor was 6 cm, and 95% of the tumors were located in the left liver lobe or in the anterior segments of the right liver. Liver procedures included 38 wedge resections, 25 segmentectomies, 21 bisegmentectomies (including 20 left lateral segmentectomies), and 3 major hepatectomies. There were 9 conversions to an open approach (10%) due to bleeding in 45% of the patients. Five patients (6%) received autologous blood transfusion. There was no postoperative mortality, and the postoperative complication rate was low (5%). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 5 days (range, 2–13 days). At a mean follow-up of 13 months (median, 10 months; range, 2–58 months), all patients are alive without disease recurrence, except for the 2 patients with APLD. Conclusions: Laparoscopic resection of benign liver tumors is feasible and safe for selected patients with small tumors located in the left lateral segments or in the anterior segments of the right liver. Despite the use of a laparoscopic approach, selective indications for resection of benign liver tumors should remain unchanged. When performed by expert liver and laparoscopic surgeons in selected patients and tumors, laparoscopic resection of benign liver tumor is a promising technique.     

Laparoscopic management of cystic disease of the liver

Background: Laparoscopic management of cystic disease of the liver, including severe polycystic disease, is evolving. Methods: Wide unroofing, or ``fenestration,'' as is required for a successful result in open cases, leads to complete resolution of the cysts. This can even occur in chronic cysts, with wide-enough unroofing, given time. Results: In polycystic disease, adequate fenestration of superficial cysts allows deeper cysts to prolapse and be similarly fenestrated, thus reducing pressure effects on the liver and restoring normal function. Conclusion: However, because of the distortion of anatomy by this disease, it is important that an experienced liver surgeon perform such a complex procedure, as operative complications could be severe.     

Laparoscopic nephrectomy for benign disease

Nearly 10 years of experience with laparoscopic nephrectomy for benign renal disease has shown that the procedure can be performed safely with a complication rate comparable with open surgery. Improvements in the skill, instrumentation, and technique of the laparoscopist have expanded the indications for the procedure to include larger (polycystic kidneys) and in some cases more complex (xanthogranulomotous pyelonephritis) specimens. Continued demonstration of reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, and more rapid recovery along with decreasing operative times have made laparoscopy the preferred approach for the surgical removal of benign kidneys.     

腹腔镜肝脏手术治疗肝脏占位性病变

目的 :探讨腹腔镜肝脏手术的可行性、适应证及方法。方法 :分析 1998年 6月至 2 0 0 2年 8月腹腔镜下肝脏手术 2 3例的临床资料。结果 :2 3例手术均在腹腔镜下完成 ,其中肝左外叶切除术 2例 ,肝癌局部切除术 7例 ,肝局限性结节状增生局部切除术 3例 ,肝血管瘤摘除术 1例 ,肝癌射频治疗 2例 ,肝囊肿开窗引流术 +胆囊切除术 7例 ,肝脓肿引流术 1例。平均手术时间 16 5min ,平均出血 12 0ml,术后 4 8h内胃肠功能恢复 ,术后平均住院 7.6d ,痊愈出院 ,无严重并发症发生。结论 :腹腔镜下肝脏手术 ,包括肝切除术是一种安全、有效、微创的手术 ,但应严格掌握适应证     

Laparoscopic renal surgery for benign disease

Fifteen years after the first report, laparoscopic nephrectomy has demonstrated proven efficacy and safety comparable with an open approach, with a significant advantage of a faster recovery. Wide dissemination of these surgical techniques and continued improvement in instrumentation has made laparoscopy the preferred approach for treating benign pathologic conditions of the kidney. In this review, the expanding indications of laparoscopic simple nephrectomy and the outcomes of the larger clinical series are examined. We discuss the technical aspects of both transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches. Finally, laparoscopic cyst decortication and some of the novel applications of laparoscopic renal surgery are highlighted.     

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy for benign biliary disease

Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy (RYCJ) is frequently used for biliary bypass surgery. However, reports on laparoscopic RYCJ are scarce. Between February 1997 and February 2002, laparoscopic RYCJ was performed in 6 patients with a recurrent common bile duct (CBD) stone or a benign biliary stricture. The first procedure involved the laparoscopic preparation of the CBD. The Roux limb prepared with an endo-GIA was brought up near the proximal CBD. An end-to-side choledochojejunostomy was then performed using an intracorporeal suture. Jejunojejunostomy was performed using an endo-GIA. The mean operating time was 358.3 minutes. A postoperative complication occurred in 1 patient who had an episode of melena, which resolved spontaneously. All patients were free of symptoms during the follow-up period (27.5 months). Laparoscopic RYCJ may be a useful option, especially in the treatment of benign biliary disease.     

Contemporary management of benign liver tumors

Benign lesions of the liver represent diagnostic dilemmas, clinically and radiographically; however, certain clues can help the extensive differential diagnosis of both benign and malignant processes. Hemangiomas and simple cysts have very distinct and very specific radiographic characteristics, and if diagnosed, no further work-up is necessary. The remaining benign lesions have significant overlap, even though there are some more common characteristics to each of the entities. Still, differentiation of any particular lesion outside simple cysts or hemangioma may be difficult. It is reasonable and relatively simple, with minimal invasiveness, to perform US- or CT-guided, percutaneous core-needle biopsies. It is recommended that core biopsies be performed, because many of the benign entities have some overlapping histologic features, and if fine-needle aspirations are performed, a definitive diagnosis may be difficult to obtain. A definitive pathological diagnosis still cannot be made in some cases, even after needle biopsy. Therefore, a surgical resection or wedge resection may be necessary if a benign process cannot be definitively ruled out.     

Laparoscopic palliation of polycystic liver disease

The role of laparoscopic surgery in the management of polycystic liver disease (PCLD) is not well defined. The authors hypothesized that laparoscopic fenestration for PCLD relieves symptoms caused by polycystic liver disease. In this study, 11 patients underwent 20 laparoscopic cyst fenestration operations as treatment for symptoms of their PCLD. Symptoms leading to surgery were pain and pressure in 15 (75%) and early satiety in 12 (60%) patients. The median hospital stay was 1 day. The symptoms resolved postoperatively in all the patients. An additional laparoscopic fenestration was required in six (55%) patients for recurrent symptoms. The average time to reoperation was 22 ± 16 months. Two patients required hepatic transplantation. Initial symptom resolution occurred in all the patients undergoing redo fenestration. The authors conclude that laparoscopic fenestration for PCLD is safe, results in minimal down time and relieves the symptoms caused by PCLD. Symptomatic relief usually is temporary, and repeat surgery is required for recurring symptoms in half of the patients.No financial involvement, competing interests, or affiliations exist.     

Laparoscopic resection of a benign liver tumor in a child

Laparoscopy for the resection of liver masses in children has remained undeveloped despite the wide acceptance of laparoscopy in the field of pediatric surgery. The authors report a case of nonanatomical laparoscopic hepatic resection of a large mesenchymal hamartoma in a 2-year-old boy. The procedure was performed using an innovative approach with a combination of different technologies that allowed for a safe and precise resection. This case demonstrates the feasibility of a nonanatomical laparoscopic hepatic resection, even for very large tumors. Both technical expertise and use of novel technologies are necessary to ensure a precise and controlled resection.     

Laparoscopic management of gallbladder-associated ectopic liver.

Ectopic liver is a rare entity discussed infrequently in the surgical literature. Liver ectopia develops due to rests of liver parenchyma retained at various intraperitoneal or intrathoracic locations during migration of the liver proper during embryologic development. It is usually found during exploration for other diagnoses, commonly diseases of the biliary tree. We report a case in which a 3.7-cm mass associated with the fundus of the gallbladder was visualized preoperatively by computed tomography and identified histologically as ectopic liver after diagnostic laparoscopy and cholecystectomy with en bloc resection of the associated mass.     

Laparoscopic management of renal cystic disease

Renal cystic disease, ranging from simple cysts to autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), can lead to significant complications such as pain, hypertension, infection, upper urinary tract obstruction, and even renal failure. For patients with preserved renal function, laparoscopic ablation of renal cysts is a recent, though safe and effective alternative to open surgery in patients who have failed conservative measures. Likewise, for symptomatic patients with renal failure, laparoscopic nephrectomy offers a less invasive option to open nephrectomy. Both laparoscopic cyst decortication and laparoscopic nephrectomy offer patients the benefits of minimal intraoperative blood loss, minimal postoperative pain, brief hospital stay, and rapid convalescence while offering a short-term outcome equivalent to open surgery. Further study and follow-up are indicated to assess the long-term effect of these procedures on the outcome of ADPKD with regard to durability of pain relief, preservation of renal function, and impact on renal hypertension.     

Laparoscopic management of acid peptic disease

BACKGROUND: Despite successful medical treatment to reduce acid hypersecretion and eradicate Helicobacter pylori, surgery still plays an important role in the management of complicated peptic ulcer disease. Almost all types of conventional operations available for ulcer disease have been successfully performed by the laparoscopic approach and this has become the preferred approach in tertiary centers for operative management of acid peptic disease. METHOD: Between 1995 and 2004, laparoscopic management was offered to refractory or obstructive acid peptic disease patients. For intractable disease, we performed either posterior truncal vagotomy with anterior fundal seromyotomy or posterior truncal vagotomy with anterior proximal gastric vagotomy. For peptic ulcer disease complicated with gastric outlet obstruction, we carried out bilateral truncal vagotomy with gastrojejunostomy. RESULTS: Two hundred sixty three patients were operated of whom 236 (89.7%) were men and the average age of the patients was 48.4 years. Thirty-two (12.2%) patients underwent posterior truncal vagotomy with anterior seromyotomy, 89 (33.8%) underwent posterior truncal vagotomy with anterior proximal gastric vagotomy, 120 (45.6%) underwent bilateral truncal vagotomy with stapled gastrojejunostomy whereas 22 (8.4%) underwent bilateral truncal vagotomy with hand-sewn gastrojejunostomy. The average operating times were 142, 110, 98, and 72 minutes, respectively. The average postoperative stay was 5.4 days. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic posterior truncal vagotomy with anterior proximal gastric vagotomy for refractory disease and laparoscopic bilateral truncal vagotomy with stapled gastrojejunotstomy for obstructive disease have become the standard at our institution. Regardless of the preference of individual surgeon, our results have shown that laparoscopic surgery may become the gold standard for surgical management of peptic ulcer disease.