Surgical endoscopy
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Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) is gaining wider acceptance for treating early gastric cancer (EGC). However, many gastric surgeons are still reluctant to perform LADG, mainly because this procedure entails a considerable learning curve. We aimed to evaluate the technical feasibility and short-term outcomes of performing LADG by a single experienced gastric surgeon who initially had no experience with laparoscopic surgery as compared with open distal gastrectomy (ODG). ⋯ Although LADG was more time consuming than ODG, it was a feasible, safe procedure that accomplished the oncological requirements. Postoperative morbidity of LADG was similar to that of ODG, and LADG led to faster postoperative recovery. However, LADG should be performed carefully to prevent unexpected complications, especially during the early learning period.
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Laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) is increasingly used. However, the safety and outcomes of LH have yet to be elucidated. The risk of venous gas embolism is increased during liver parenchymal transection. This risk may be increased with positive pressure carbon dioxide (CO(2)) pneumoperitoneum (PP). This may be exacerbated further when low central venous pressure (CVP) anesthesia is used to minimize hemorrhage during liver resection. ⋯ Carbon dioxide embolism during LH occurs frequently. Clinically, this finding appears to be nominal, but care must be taken when dissection around large veins is performed, and awareness by the surgical and anesthesiology teams of potential venous air embolism is essential. Further evaluation of this phenomenon is required.
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Comparative Study
Perioperative outcomes of laparoscopic transhiatal inversion esophagectomy compare favorably with those of combined thoracoscopic-laparoscopic esophagectomy.
Wide acceptance of laparoscopic esophagectomy has been hampered by the technical difficulty of the procedure and inconsistent improvements in morbidity and mortality. Most case series have utilized a combined thoracoscopic-laparoscopic approach (TLE), but laparoscopic inversion esophagectomy (LIE), a method of transhiatal esophagectomy, has been proposed as an alternative. Inversion esophagectomy simplifies retraction and improves exposure during the mediastinal dissection; however, no previous studies have directly compared LIE outcomes with those of the combined approach. ⋯ LIE provides safe and effective approach to minimally invasive esophagectomy for patients with early esophageal cancer and high-grade dysplasia. Compared with TLE, inversion esophagectomy requires less operative time and has lower operative blood loss and length of hospital stay. LIE may also result in fewer perioperative cardiac and pulmonary complications compared with TLE. Based on these results, we reserve TLE for more advanced esophageal cancer and those undergoing preoperative radiochemotherapy.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A comparative study of angiogenic and cytokine responses after laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed with standard- and low-pressure pneumoperitoneum.
Surgical procedures enhance production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and angiogenic factors that play a pivotal role in the immunological response to surgical trauma and take part in the pathogenesis of tumor growth and adhesions formation. The purpose of the study was to access the influence of low-pressure CO(2) pneumoperitoneum on the inflammatory and angiogenic responses during the postoperative period after laparoscopy. ⋯ The results obtained in our study do not show any significant differences between studied operative procedures with regards to systemic inflammatory response. Changes in the concentrations of VEGF-A and endostatin observed in the studied population may suggest this technique is more favorable with regards to angiogenesis process intensity, along with all its consequences and implications.
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Controlled Clinical Trial
Resumption of daily physical activity after day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been proven to be safe and feasible as a day-case procedure. Few studies investigated postoperative activity resumption. The goal of this study was to objectively assess daily physical activity after day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy and evaluate the effect of encouragement of patients. ⋯ Recovery of daily physical activity exceeded 1 week in most patients undergoing day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The use of an accelerometer and standardized encouragement accelerated recovery in women.