Laparoscopic appendectomy is an acceptable alternative for the treatment of perforated appendicitis

Background: Ever since laparoscopy was first applied to the treatment of appendicitis, a controversy has existed as to whether the acknowledged benefits of a minimally invasive approach warrant its preference over the conventional treatment, which historically has had relatively low morbidity. The purpose of this study was to determine if laparoscopic appendectomy should be performed preferentially in cases where surgeons are not limited by technical constraints. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of 112 patients operated on for suspected appendicitis from June 1995 to July 1996. Forty-eight patients underwent laparoscopic appendectomy, and 64 had conventional open appendectomy. Laparoscopic appendectomy was performed using a three-trocar technique and the endoscopic stapler. Results: The histopathological diagnosis of appendicitis was confirmed in 82.6% of cases. Overall, laparoscopic appendectomy reduced length of hospital stay (1.54 versus 4.09 days; p < 0.0001) compared to conventional open appendectomy, with no significant difference in hospital cost ($6430 versus $6669; p= ns). Although the total OR time was longer in the laparoscopic group (75.8 versus 60.2 min; p < 0.0001), laparoscopy resulted in both a reduction in length of stay (2.17 versus 6.27 days; p < 0.0001) and hospital cost ($7506 versus $10,504; p < 0.02) for cases of perforated appendicitis. Conversion to open appendectomy was performed in 6% of patients, all of whom had perforated appendicitis. Conclusions: Our data suggest that most cases of acute appendicitis with suspected perforation could be managed laparoscopically. Laparoscopic appendectomy significantly reduces length of stay and hospital costs in patients with perforated appendicitis. Received: 3 April 1997/Accepted: 19 August 1997     

Laparoscopic appendectomy is superior to open appendectomy in obese patients

BACKGROUND: There are minimal data comparing laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) with open appendectomy (OA) in obese patients. METHODS: We reviewed consecutive adult patients from 2003 to 2005 who underwent an appendectomy at a University-affiliated teaching hospital. Obesity was defined as a body mass index of 30 or greater. Outcome measures included length of stay, surgical times, intra-abdominal abscesses, wound infections, and hospital charges. RESULTS: There were 116 patients with a mean body mass index of 35. Eighty-five patients underwent LA, 12 were converted to open, 4 of 12 (31%) were perforated. Thirty-one patients underwent OA. Overall, 21 (18%) were perforated. Length of stay for LA was better, 3.4 days versus 5.5 days for OA (P = .02), and wound closure rate was better, 90% for LA versus 68% for OA (P < .01). Other outcome measures were equivalent. CONCLUSIONS: LA is associated with shorter lengths of stay, fewer open wounds, and equivalent hospital charges and intra-abdominal abscess rates; and should be considered the procedure of choice for obese patients with appendicitis.     

Laparoscopic removal of an intragastric foreign body with endoscopic assistance

We report the successful laparoscopic removal of an intragastric foreign body. A 57-year-old woman who had accidentally swallowed her own partial denture was referred to our hospital for its removal. Laparoscopic removal of the foreign body was urgently performed with the assistance of oral endoscope, following an earlier failed endoscopic removal associated with subcutaneous and mediastinal emphysema. The foreign body was removed from the stomach through a gastrotomy. There were no perioperative complications. The patient was uneventfully discharged on the ninth postoperative day. Laparoscopic removal of an intragastric foreign body is a feasible and safe treatment, and can be an alternative choice following failed endoscopic removal.     

Laparoscopic drainage of intraabdominal abscess after appendectomy: an alternative to laparotomy in cases not amenable to percutaneous drainage

Purpose

Postoperative abscesses after appendectomy occur in 3% to 20% of cases and are more common in cases of perforated appendicitis. Smaller abscesses are often amenable to antibiotic therapy, but surgical drainage remains the mainstay of treatment for larger collections. Surgical options generally include percutaneous drainage and open laparotomy. Laparoscopic drainage of these abscesses has not been well characterized in the pediatric population.

Objective

The aim of this study was to describe our experience with laparoscopic drainage of postappendectomy abscesses that were not amenable to percutaneous drainage.

Methods

This study is a retrospective review of all pediatric patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis at a tertiary pediatric medical center during a 4-year period (2006-2009). The review focuses on patients who developed abscesses after appendectomy, were unable to undergo percutaneous drainage, and were treated with laparoscopic abscess drainage.

Results

Twelve patients (7 male and 5 female) underwent laparoscopic drainage of postappendectomy abscesses. The mean age was 8.5 years old (range, 3-14 years). A clinical diagnosis of postoperative abscess was made when fevers, pain, and leukocytosis persisted despite broad-spectrum antibiotics. Computed tomography was performed in all patients. Abscesses ranged between 3 and 11 cm in size. The mean length of time between initial appendectomy and drainage procedure was 10 days. There were no complications specifically related to the laparoscopic drainage procedure. The mean length of the drainage procedure was 77 minutes (range, 30-196 minutes). The mean hospital length of stay after laparoscopic drainage was 6.5 days (range, 3-13 days) with patients maintained on intravenous antibiotics until afebrile and without leukocytosis.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic drainage is a safe and effective alternative for intraabdominal abscesses that occur after laparoscopic appendectomy. We recommend it as an alternative to open laparotomy when percutaneous drainage is not an option.     

金属钛夹在大肠息肉内镜切除中的应用

目的观察金属钛夹应用于大肠息肉在内镜下高频电凝电切结合使用的治疗效果。方法对78例大肠息肉患者采用电凝电切、金属钛夹央闭创面的治疗,分别接受1～3枚钛夹钳夹治疗,术中及术后观察出血、穿孔等并发症情况。结果 78例患者手术过程顺利,无一例出现术中或术后出血及穿孔,共使用金属钛夹147枚。结论内镜下电切大肠息肉治疗,选择合适的病例配合熟练的操作,金属钛夹可以起到迅速止血和预防再出血、穿孔等并发症的作用,金属钛夹是一种有效的手段。     

腹腔镜阑尾切除术117例临床分析

目的:总结腹腔镜阑尾切除术的经验。方法:为117例4～67岁的患者行腹腔镜阑尾切除术,其中妊娠2.5～4个月患急性阑尾炎的孕妇5例,60～67岁的老年患者4例,4～12岁的患儿11例。结果:114例成功完成腹腔镜阑尾切除术,3例中转开腹手术。1例同时发现卵巢囊肿扭转,在镜下做了处理。手术25～72min,术后平均25.6h胃肠功能恢复,住院平均3.5d。结论:腹腔镜阑尾切除术优于开腹阑尾切除术,对孕妇、老年人、小儿等特殊病例,更能体现其优点,但需严格掌握适应证。     

Hydroxy-propyl-methyl-cellulose is a safe and effective lifting agent for endoscopic mucosal resection of large colorectal polyps

Background  Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is today the treatment of choice for flat and sessile colorectal lesion, the only concern being completeness of resection. One of the major issues is the choice of the infiltrating substance to enable a long-lasting cushion under the lesion. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate safety and efficacy of hydroxy-propyl-methyl-cellulose (HPMC) injection for this purpose. Patients  All flat and sessile lesions of the colon and rectum larger than 20 mm and considered suitable for EMR were included. In all cases 0.8% HPMC solution was injected through a 23G needle, in quantity according to the endoscopist’s indication. Primary endpoints of the study were: (1) ability to perform en bloc resection of the lesions by using this new injection means, (2) complete resection rate, and (3) early and late complication rate. Results  We resected 27 flat, sessile, or laterally spreading lesions up to 60 mm (28 mm average). Mean dose of HPMC injected was 10.2 ml (range 8–40 ml). Median procedure time was 32 min (range 15–105 min). En bloc resection was achieved in up to 21 cases (78%). Histologically detected complete tumour removal was achieved in 23 lesions, whereas lateral margins could not be properly evaluated in 4 cases due to coagulation artefacts. No perforation was observed. Procedural spurting bleeding was managed by epinephrine injection in one case and clip application in the remaining. Two case of local recurrence of adenomatous tissue were observed at 3 and 12 months, and treated by EMR. No complication related to the use of HPMC was observed. Conclusions  Injection of HPMC for EMR resulted safe and effective, allowing en bloc resection in the majority of cases with a limited number of complications. Continued progress in the field will include more outcomes research and techniques simplification. None of the authors have any conflict of interest to declare.     

Percutaneous SLAP lesion repair technique is an effective alternative to portal of Wilmington

Athletes with superior labral tear from anterior to posterior (SLAP) lesions place large demands on their rotator cuff and often have partial articular-sided rotator cuff tears as part of an internal impingement process. A percutaneous technique that facilitates SLAP repair may decrease the rotator cuff morbidity associated with establishment of the standard Wilmington portal. The current study reports the clinical outcome of patients with SLAP lesions treated with a percutaneous repair technique. Twenty-two patients with SLAP lesions underwent percutaneous repair. Mean patient age was 26.9 years. Standard posterior viewing and anterior working portals were used. Anchor placement and suture passing were performed with a 3-mm percutaneous and transtendinous approach to the superior labrum. Knot tying was performed via the standard anterior working portal. Clinical outcomes were assessed with validated shoulder evaluation instruments. Mean follow-up was 31.1 months (±6.6 months). Improvement of shoulder evaluation scores from pre- to postoperative were as follows: American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score improved from 49.5 to 83.6, visual analog scale improved from 5.4 to 1.5, and Simple Shoulder Score improved from 6.4 to 11.0. All were significant improvements (P<.05). There was no significant difference in functional scores between Type II lesions versus combined lesions, or between patients with or without a concurrent low-grade rotator cuff tear. Ninety percent of athletes were able to return to sport at pre-injury level of function. Percutaneously-assisted arthroscopic SLAP lesion repair may minimize surgical morbidity to the rotator cuff and provides excellent results.     

The LMA-ProSeal™ is an effective alternative to tracheal intubation for laparoscopic cholecystectomy

PURPOSE: To compare LMA-ProSeal (LMA-PS) with endotracheal tube (ETT) with respect to pulmonary ventilation and gastric distension during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: We randomized 109 ASA I-III adults to LMA-PS or ETT after stratifying them as non-obese or obese (body mass index > 30 kg x m-2). After preoxygenation, anesthesia was induced with propofol, fentanyl and rocuronium. An LMA-PS (women #4, men #5) or ETT (women 7 mm, men 8 mm) was inserted and the cuff inflated. A #14 gastric tube was passed into the stomach in every patient and connected to continuous suction. Anesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide, oxygen and isoflurane. Ventilation was set at 10 mL x kg-1 and 10 breaths x min-1. The surgeon, blinded to the airway device, scored stomach size on an ordinal scale of 0-10 at insertion of the laparoscope and upon decompression of the pneumoperitoneum. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in SpO2 or P(ET)CO2 between the two groups before or during peritoneal insufflation in either non-obese or obese patients. Median (range) airway pressure at which oropharyngeal leak occurred during a leak test with LMA-PS was 34 (18-45) cm water. Change in gastric distension during surgery was similar in both groups. Four of 16 obese LMA-PS patients crossed over to ETT because of respiratory obstruction or airway leak. CONCLUSIONS: A correctly seated LMA-PS or ETT provided equally effective pulmonary ventilation without clinically significant gastric distension in all non-obese patients. Further studies are required to determine the acceptability of the LMA-PS for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in obese patients.     

Laparoscopic splenectomy is an effective and safe intervention for hypersplenism secondary to liver cirrhosis

Background  

Laparoscopic splenectomy has become the standard procedure for the normal to moderately enlarged spleens. We performed this study to investigate the safety, feasibility, and effectiveness of laparoscopic splenectomy for hypersplenism secondary to liver cirrhosis.     

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery after endoscopic resection of malignant rectal polyps: a useful technique for indication to radical treatment

Background

Management of malignant rectal polyps (MRPs) after endoscopic polypectomy (EP) is still debated. It is sometimes difficult to decide whether to simply follow-up (FU) or to treat such a removed lesion. Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) could have a role both in T staging and in treating MRPs after EP.

Methods

Patients who underwent a full-thickness TEM within 3 months after an EP between January 2008 and October 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. If post-TEM histology showed locally advanced rectal cancer, patients underwent a total mesorectal excision (TME) within 4–6 weeks. Patients without malignant disease or pT1sm1 cancers at post-TEM histology were followed up every 3 months for 2 years with clinical examination, flexible rectal endoscopy, and neoplastic markers monitoring.

Results

A total of 39 patients were included. Post-EP histology was adenocarcinoma in 27/39 cases (69.2 %) and adenoma in 12/39. Mean operative time was 64.2 min; no 30-day mortality occurred; 30-day morbidity was 2.7 % (rectal bleeding in 1/39 cases). Post-TEM histology showed a T2 cancer in 5/39 patients, four with and one without a previous cancer diagnosis, who were further treated by TME (four RARs and one APR) and are disease free with a mean FU of 24.2 months. Post-TEM histology showed adenoma in 10/39 cases and fibrosis in 24/39. These patients are disease free with a mean FU of 13 months.

Conclusions

A full-thickness TEM after EP of MRPs can establish the presence of residual malignant disease and its depth of invasion, precisely defining the indication to TME. In event of benign post-EP histology, TEM must be performed in presence of macroscopic residual disease, in order to obtain an RO resection and finally exclude cancer, while, in absence of macroscopic residual disease, only close FU is required.     

Is indoramin an effective alternative to prostatectomy?

Alpha-1-adrenergic antagonists are recommended for symptomatic treatment of patients awaiting prostatic surgery. Their efficacy has been confirmed in placebo controlled clinical trials, but to date no comparison of their effects with the results of subsequent prostatectomy has been made. Fifty-five patients awaiting prostatectomy were assessed (by symptom scores and peak urinary flow rates) prior to treatment, on indoramin 20 mg bd, and 2 months following prostatectomy. Side effects while taking indoramin were experienced by 36% of patients. Despite an overall improvement in mean symptom scores, 26% of patients with obstructive and 30% of those with irritative symptoms who were assessed while taking indoramin failed to experience any improvement. Of the 31 patients assessed while on indoramin and again following surgery, prostatectomy produced a greater symptomatic relief than indoramin. The increase in peak flow rate following prostatectomy was 11.7 ml/s compared with 3.2 ml/s on indoramin. However, 5 patients preferred to continue taking indoramin rather than proceeding to surgery. Indoramin is no substitute for prostatectomy. Although some patients might benefit from treatment while awaiting surgery, significant side effects may severely restrict its use for this purpose. The response to indoramin cannot be used as an accurate predictor of response to prostatectomy.     

Transumbilical laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy: an extracorporeal single-incision alternative to conventional laparoscopic techniques

Recently the use of a single umbilical incision to perform an appendectomy has been described. The purpose of this study was to review our initial experience with transumbilical laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy (TULAA) in the pediatric population. A retrospective review of all pediatric patients treated for appendicitis over a 10-month period was performed. The surgical technique involved using a standard 3-mm or 5-mm trocar for visualization and insufflation. A dissecting/grasping instrument was used adjacent to the trocar through the same incision. Patient demographics, operative findings and time as well as postoperative course were reviewed. Of 21 patients undergoing laparoscopy appendectomy, 18 patients successfully underwent TULAA. Five patients had advanced appendicitis, four had a retrocecal appendix, and three had appendicoliths. The average total operative time was 51 ± 15 minutes. Overall, the average length of stay was 1.2 ± 0.8 days; however, all patients with nonperforated appendicitis were discharged the day after surgery. All patients were followed postoperatively, and none reported postoperative complications of abscess or wound infection. Cost analysis demonstrated a markedly reduced associated cost for TULAA compared with conventional laparoscopy. TULAA is a safe and effective single-incision approach for early appendicitis that incorporates both open and laparoscopic techniques to provide excellent exploration of the abdomen, a short hospital stay, minimal pain, and an excellent cosmetic result. The technique described is cost-effective, because it does not use any special laparoscopes, trocars, or staplers. When performed as described in this study, only a single trocar and a standard laparoscopic setup are required. Cases of advanced appendicitis may require additional trocars or "conversion" to conventional laparoscopic techniques.     

Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy after neoadjuvant hormonal therapy: an apparently safe and effective procedure

OBJECTIVE: In an effort to determine the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) in patients who have received neoadjuvant hormonal therapy (NHT), our initial series of 65 patients undergoing successful LRP was analyzed, specifically comparing 5 patients who received neoadjuvant hormonal therapy to 60 who did not. METHODS: From March 2000 to March 2002, 68 patients were scheduled for LRP. Three cases, none post-NHT, were converted to open radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). Clinical and pathologic data were recorded on the remaining 65 patients, 5 of who had received NHT. Forty-two bilateral and 16 unilateral nerve sparing LRP were performed in the non-NHT cohort, and 3 bilateral and 1 unilateral nerve sparing LRP in the NHT cohort. RESULTS: The mean patient age, preoperative prostate specific antigen (PSA), clinical stage, and biopsy grade were similar for the NHT and the non-NHT LRP cohorts. The mean estimated blood loss (EBL) and serum hemoglobin decrease (preoperative to postoperative day 1) were lower in the NHT cohort than the non-NHT cohort: 160 mL and 2.4 g/dL vs. 317 mL and 3.1 g/dL, respectively. The mean operative time and hospital stay were similar: 5.7 hours and 2.4 days for the NHT cohort and 5.8 hours and 2.8 days for the non-NHT cohorts. As expected, the mean prostate weight was lower for the NHT cohort: 36.8 g vs. 46.5 g. All NHT cohort tumors were pathologic stage pT2, with negative margins. Eleven (18%) of the non-NHT cohort had pathologic T3 (10 patients) or T4 (1 patient) tumors and 10 (17%) specimens had a positive surgical margin. Four of 5 (80%) NHT cohort and 21 of 25 (84%) non-NHT cohort patients are continent (no pad use) 3 to 6 months postsurgery. One NHT cohort patient (20%) and 20 (33%) non-NHT cohort patients had an elevated drain fluid creatinine 24 hours postoperatively. There were no other complications in the NHT cohort. All 5 NHT cohort patients have no evidence of recurrent disease, whereas 2 non-NHT cohort patients (3.3%) have developed PSA recurrence. No NHT patient and only 1 non-NHT patient received a blood transfusion postoperatively. CONCLUSION: LRP appears to be a safe and efficacious procedure in patients who have received NHT. Perioperative morbidity of NHT patients undergoing LRP appears equivalent to non-NHT patients, with slightly lower EBL, hemoglobin decrease, urinary extravasation, positive margin, and complication rates.