Surgical endoscopy
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Bilateral laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) repair of unilateral hernia is conspicuous in published literature by its absence. There are no studies or data on the feasibility, advantages or disadvantages of bilateral repair in all cases or in any subset of patients with unilateral primary inguinal hernia. The objective of this study is to investigate the feasibility of bilateral laparoscopic exploration for all unilateral cases followed by laparoscopic TEP in all cases and to compare complications, recurrence rates, postoperative pain, patient satisfaction, and return to work retrospectively with a similar number of age-matched retrospective controls. ⋯ In the present study bilateral TEP was performed in three types of patients: those with clinically bilateral hernias, those with clinically unilateral hernia but with an OCH, and in truly unilateral hernias. All of these were compared with unilateral TEPs in clinically unilateral hernias, and we found no significant increase in morbidity, pain, recurrence or complications in bilateral repairs. Convalescence from surgery, as determined by return to activities of daily living and return to work parameters, was also comparable. Surgeons experienced in laparoscopic TEP, in high-volume centers, can provide bilateral repairs in patients with inguinal hernia, bearing in mind its advantages and comparable morbidity. We also feel that, in elective repair of inguinal hernia, the patient should be given the option of bilateral repair. Bilateral repair does not add to the risk of surgery in experienced hands and we strongly feel that unilateral TEP is actually a job half done.
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The influence of obesity on surgical outcomes after laparoscopic colorectal surgery in Asian patients is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic surgery in obese Asian patients with colorectal cancer. ⋯ With sufficient experience, laparoscopic colorectal surgery in obese Asian patients is feasible and safe, offering all the benefits of a minimally invasive approach. Management of Asian colorectal cancer patients with BMI > or = 30 kg/m(2) requires meticulous perioperative care, and colorectal surgeons must be familiar with obesity-related challenges in such patients.
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Use of robotic surgery has gained increasing acceptance over the last few years. There are few reports, however, on advanced pancreatic robotic surgery. In fact, the indication for robotic surgery in pancreatic disease has been controversial. This paper retrospectively reviews one surgeon's experience with robotic surgery to treat pancreatic disease, and analyzes its indications and outcomes, as well as the controversy that exists. ⋯ This is the largest series of robotic pancreatic surgery presented to date. Robotic surgery enables difficult technical maneuvers to be performed that facilitate the success of pancreatic minimally invasive surgery. The results in this series demonstrate that it is feasible and safe. Complication and mortality rates are comparable to those of open surgery but with the advantages of minimally invasive surgery.
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Comparative Study
Single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy: initial experience.
As surgeons embrace the concept of increasingly less invasive surgery, techniques using only a single small incision have begun to gain traction. Several commercially available products have emerged recently. The TriPort system and the SILS Port are single-port devices that allow the surgeon to perform laparoscopic surgery through a 2- to 3-cm periumbilical incision. This study aimed to ascertain whether these devices allow safe and reliable access for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. ⋯ The results from the current series show single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy to be a promising technique. A variety of patient demographics appear suited to this approach. The operative time in this series compares favorably with that for the standard four-port operation. The feasibility of single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy is now established. However, routine application of this novel technique requires an evaluation of its safety and cost effectiveness in larger studies. In addition, its superiority over standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy in terms of postoperative pain, cosmesis, and overall patient satisfaction requires further study. Refinements in instrumentation will enable wider use of this novel minimally invasive approach.