Surgery
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Traditional management of pyloric stenosis has consisted of open pyloromyotomy during which the surgeon is able to palpate and determine whether the hypertrophied pylorus has been completely divided. During the last decade, laparoscopic pyloromyotomy has become an increasingly popular approach for this condition. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is an effective pyloromyotomy length that will allow the surgeon to feel confident that a complete pyloromyotomy was performed with the laparoscopic approach. ⋯ Laparoscopic pyloromyotomy is a safe and effective technique for infants with pyloric stenosis. A pyloromyotomy incision length of approximately 2 cm appears to be an effective measure of a complete pyloromyotomy.
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For patients with high spinal cord injury and chronic respiratory insufficiency, electrically induced diaphragm pacing is an alternative to long-term positive pressure ventilation. The goal of this study was to laparoscopically assess the phrenic nerve motor point of the diaphragm and then implant electrodes to produce chronic negative pressure ventilation. ⋯ Mapping and implantation of the electrodes can be done laparoscopically, providing for a low-risk, cost-effective, outpatient, diaphragm pacing system that will support the respiratory needs of patients.