Laparoscopically assisted spinal surgery

BACKGROUND

Spinal surgery is one of the newest frontiers of videolaparoscopic surgery, but requires the cooperative efforts of both the spinal surgeon and the laparoscopic general surgeon.

DATA BASE

We report our experience with 76 cases of laparoscopic spinal surgery, using both a transperitoneal and a retroperitoneal approach. Technical details and complications are described in detail.

CONCLUSIONS

Fifty-one patients had a transperitoneal approach with an average operating time of 117 minutes. Uncomplicated cases stayed 4.4 days. Five patients required conversion. All but one patient had L5-S1 level surgery. Twenty-five patients had a retroperitoneal approach with 150 minutes operating time and a 5.7 day stay. Conversions were minimized with a two-balloon technique. The retroperitoneal approach allows for multiple level surgery with virtually unlimited fusion devices. Laparoscopically assisted spine surgery affords all the benefits of minimally invasive surgery, without limitations for the spinal surgeon.

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease: clinical experience and outcome in first 100 patients

Using retrospective chart review, the authors evaluated the results of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication in their first 100 patients. All patients were diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease. More than 90% of the patients in this series were symptomatically improved, and 92% of those studied endoscopically had healed esophagitis and intact fundoplication. No deaths, esophageal injuries, or splenic injuries occurred. Laparoscopic fundoplication can be performed safely and efficiently. Using a linear stapler enables rapid and safe fundi mobilization. Selective manometrics and ambulatory pH monitoring provide excellent results. Laparoscopic Nissen is safe and as effective as the open procedure. Research centers have noted some differences in postoperative function of the lower esophageal sphincter, but symptomatically patient satisfaction is comparable.

Rectal prolapse

Marlex rectopexy is a popular and effective procedure for the repair of rectal prolapse. Heretofore, this operation has required a generous laparotomy. As videolaparoscopy provides superior pelvic exposure, performing a modified Ripstein procedure was a logical progression of minimally invasive surgery. Experience with the first sutured Marlex rectopexy suggested the need for a simple fixation device to secure the mesh to the sacrum. A commercially available orthopedic staple allows quick and secure fixation. Five cases of laparoscopic Marlex rectopexy provide our initial clinical experience. The LCR staple has reduced operating times by up to 1 h. Results in these cases show virtual complete repair of the prolapse, minimal postoperative analgesic requirements, and no postoperative incontinence. There was one postoperative complication requiring reoperation. There were no deaths. Laparoscopic stapled Marlex rectopexy is a promising modality for the treatment of procidentia.

Laparoscopically assisted colon resections compare favorably with open technique

To date, 14 patients have undergone laparoscopic or laparoscopically assisted colon resections for malignant disease. Margins of resection and lymph nodes (LNs) recovered were compared with those of 20 consecutive controls treated over the preceding 6-month period at the same institution. Of these 14 procedures, one was completed entirely via laparoscopy, 13 were laparoscopically assisted (a small transverse incision was used to deliver the colon and lesion after laparoscopic mobilization). One other patient required conversion to open colectomy. An average of 10.5 LNs (range 0-32) were recovered via the laparoscopic technique per case; 0.4 LNs showed positive signs of metastatic disease (range 0-4). Average margins of resection were 11.1 cm proximally and 10.0 cm distally (range 3-34) cm proximally, 2-23 cm distally). In no case did the margins contain tumor. These results compare favorably with those for the 20 concurrent controls, among whom an average of 7.6 LNs were recovered per case, 0.5 LNs with positive signs of metastatic disease (range 2-19 LNs total, 0-4 positive). Similarly, proximal margins averaged 7.4 cm, and distal margins averaged 14.2 cm (range 1.5-20 cm and 2-30 cm, respectively). Only one postoperative complication was directly related to the surgical procedure--a herniation of small bowel into a trocar site. One anastomotic stricture occurred 6 weeks after surgery, and one partial small-bowel obstruction was noted at 4 weeks. Both were treated nonoperatively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Initial experience with laparoscopic appendectomy

As experience with laparoscopy increases, new applications in general surgery are being identified. Treatment of acute appendicitis through the laparoscope has been proposed. We present our initial experience with this new technique. Over a 12-month period, laparoscopic appendectomy was attempted in 29 patients. There were no intraoperative complications. Two cases required conversion to the open technique owing to gangrene at the appendiceal base. The average operating time was 64 minutes. Two of nine patients with perforated appendicitis developed a pelvic abscess, and one patient developed wound cellulitis. Pain medication requirements were minimal, bowel function returned rapidly, and half of the patients were discharged on postoperative day one or two and returned to normal activity within one week. Based on our initial experience, it appears that laparoscopic appendectomy is a safe and effective technique for managing acute appendicitis and offers advantages in terms of decreased pain, decreased hospital stay, and a rapid return to normal activities.

Routine or selective intraoperative cholangiography in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

The routine versus selective use of intraoperative cholangiography has been the subject of debate for some time. Most authors currently advocate routine intraoperative cholangiography with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The authors report their experience with the selective and routine utilization of intraoperative cholangiography at two institutions. At institution A, 155 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were attempted, and 21 cholangiograms were performed (based on preoperative criteria of ultrasound, liver function tests, and history of jaundice, or intraoperative anatomical uncertainty). At institution B, 164 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were attempted and 127 cholangiograms were performed (a routine intraoperative cholangiography policy). At institution A, there were no common bile duct injuries but there was one retained stone. At institution B, there was one common bile duct injury and no retained stones. The patient with the retained stone from institution A had a preoperative indication (total bilirubin = 4.4 mg/dl) for a cholangiogram, but it was not performed due to technical difficulties. This patient later required endoscopic sphincterotomy with stone extraction. One patient at institution B had a choledochotomy which was detected by intraoperative cholangiography (IOC). This was managed with a T-tube. The selective use of cholangiograms in laparoscopic cholecystectomy will not yield a higher incidence of common bile duct injuries or retained stones compared to routine use. Further, a cholangiogram may not necessarily prevent choledochotomy but can prevent extension of common bile duct injury. Thus, it should always be performed when there is anatomic uncertainty.

Pediatric Trauma Score. Predictor of hospital resource use?

The Pediatric Trauma Score has been recommended to triage children with scores of 8 or less to a level 1 pediatric trauma center. The Injury Severity Score correlates well with the Pediatric Trauma Score. During a 36-month period ending December 31, 1985, paramedics saw 983 pediatric trauma patients (aged 17 years and younger) and intervened with advanced life support procedures in 196 (20%). One hundred forty-four patients receiving advanced life support were transported to either a level 1 adult trauma center or a pediatric community hospital. Our data confirm the correlation between Pediatric Trauma Score and Injury Severity Score and support recommendations to transport patients with Pediatric Trauma Scores of 8 or less to trauma facilities. We also conclude that Pediatric Trauma Scores may be useful in predicting hospital resource use.

Cholelithiasis follows total gastrectomy in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

The frequent occurrence of cholelithiasis noted in the follow-up of patients who underwent total gastrectomy because of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome prompted us to study this phenomenon. Cholelithiasis is known to be more common after truncal vagotomy, with or without concomitant subtotal gastric resection, and the prevalence of gallstones in these patients is reported to be 16% to 38%. To date, however, no long-term study has investigated the prevalence of gallstones after total gastrectomy in patients with the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Since 1961, 26 patients with the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome have undergone total gastrectomy and were enrolled in a Medical College of Wisconsin Clinical Research Center protocol that allowed follow-up to assess the development of cholelithiasis. Eight patients had cholecystectomy at the time of total gastrectomy (seven patients had stones), leaving 18 patients with a normal gallbladder and no gallstones at the time of total gastrectomy. Four patients died early, two of surgical complications, one of tumor progression, and one of alcohol-related trauma. During follow-up, cholelithiasis has developed in 10 of 14 patients (71%) at risk; the mean time to gallstones was 6.3 years (range, 1.2 to 12.9 years). The predictable occurrence of cholelithiasis after total gastrectomy in patients with the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome suggests that cholecystectomy should be performed at the time of total gastrectomy.