CHOLECYSTECTOMY THROUGH A MINI-LAPAROTOMY A PRELIMINARY REPORT

Cholecystectomy through a small subcostal incision (mini-lap cholecystectomy), has recently been introduced as an alternative to conventional cholecystectomy in an effort to reduce its attendant morbidity. A trial was conducted to assess the morbidity of cholecystectomy performed through a small subcostal incision. Eighteen consecutive patients posted for elective cholecystectomy were operated through such an incision. In 2 [11%], the incision had to be extended. The records of these patients were retrospectively compared with an equal number of consecutive cholecystectomies previously performed by the same surgeon through a conventional incision. There was no significant difference in the average operating time, incidence of wound infection or the number of post-operative complications between the conventional and the mini-laparotomy group. However, the number of doses of post operative analgesic required, the duration of post-operative ileus, hospitalisation and convalescence needed was nearly halved. Thus mini-lap cholecystectomy has much lesser morbidity and is considered to be a safe and viable alternative to conventional cholecystectomy.KEY WORDS: Cholecystectomy, Mini-laparotomy, Post-operative morbidity     

CONTINUOUS MONOFILAMENT POLYAMIDE (LOOP) SUTURE IN THE REPAIR OF RECURRENT AND COMPLICATED INCISIONAL HERNIA

Surgery for recurrent incisional hernia is followed by further recurrence in nearly half the patients. Majority of these failures are due to wound complications and factors which give rise to an increased strain on the suture line. In an effort to counter the risk factors, continuous monofilament nylon loop suture was used in the anatomical repair of 15 patients with recurrent and complicated incisional hernia. After a median follow up of 14 months only one patient (6.6%) developed a recurrence, despite selecting only poor-risk patients. This technique for anatomical repair of incisional hernia seems safe and dependable.KEY WORDS: Incisional hernia, Monofilament nylon, Suture material     

Patient Satisfaction and Reported Long-Term Therapeutic Efficacy Associated with 1,320 nm Nd:YAG Laser Treatment of Acne Scarring and Photoaging

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Nonablative laser treatments have become increasingly used for the treatment of acne scarring and photoaging. While nonablative laser treatments are more convenient and relatively safer than ablative laser resurfacing, efficacy and patient satisfaction with the level of improvement of textural abnormalities in acne scarring and rhytids associated with photoaging needs further study. DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Structured interviews were performed with 34 patients from a referral-based academic practice who each previously received a series of 6 monthly treatments with a 1,320 nm neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser for treatment of acne scarring or photoaging. Topical anesthesia was applied 1 hour before each treatment. Patients were interviewed at least 3 months after cessation of treatment (range 3-12 months). RESULTS: Patients tolerated the treatments well. Combined results for acne scarring and photoaging patients were as follows: (a) patient satisfaction with treatment was rated at 62%, and (b) textural improvement was reported at 31% at the end of the six treatments, and 30% at the date of interview. When results were stratified by diagnosis, patient satisfaction was slightly higher for treatment of acne scarring than for photoaging. Overall degree of improvement on a 1-10 scale was 5.4 for acne scarring and 3.8 for wrinkling. CONCLUSION: Nonablative treatment with the 1,320 nm Nd:YAG laser induced significant patient-reported improvement in both acne scarring and photoaging. The majority of patients reported satisfaction with the degree of improvement.