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L D Gurley

Publications and source records attributed to L D Gurley.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Laparoscopic presacral neurectomy vs neurotomy: use of the argon beam coagulator compared to conventional technique.

Presacral neurectomy is effective treatment for dysmenorrhea and midline pelvic pain. Conventional laparoscopic techniques describe retroperitoneal dissection to excise retroperitoneal nerve tissue. The argon beam coagulator (ABC) can be used laparoscopically to hemostatically ablate and thus separate the presacral tissues down to the periosteum without dissecting or excising tissue. In 32 patients undergoing laparoscopic presacral neurectomy, 17 were performed with conventional methods, and 15 patients underwent ABC neurotomy only, without dissection or excision. Postoperative pain reduction was the same in both groups (73% vs 75%), with average anesthesia time 64 min for ABC neurotomy vs 92 min with conventional techniques. One major vascular complication requiring immediate laparotomy occurred in the ABC group. When properly applied laparoscopically, the ABC is an effective tool to rapidly coagulate and separate the presacral nerves with minimal smoke, excellent visualization, and no retroperitoneal dissection.

Adult↗

Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy. The initial Nashville, Tennessee, experience.

It is now possible to begin a difficult hysterectomy via laparoscopy with or without adnexal removal and then complete the operation vaginally. We report our successful experience with laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy in 62 of 68 patients. Techniques used for hemostatic separation of the uterus and adnexal pedicles included an automatic laparoscopic stapling device (49 cases), bipolar coagulation with sharp transection (11) and combined techniques (2). Minor complications occurred in four patients. Six patients had their operations converted from laparoscopy to laparotomy because of significant adhesions (three), large fibroids (two) and poor access due to obesity (one). The use of a stapling device required less anesthesia time (1 hour, 57 minutes, vs. 3 hours, 43 minutes), a smaller blood loss (145 vs. 247 mL) and shorter hospital stays (2.53 vs. 2.75 days) than did laparoscopic bipolar coagulation. However, the average hospital costs were greater for disposable automatic stapling devices and trocars when compared to bipolar coagulation techniques ($9,310 vs. $6,227). Postoperative patient satisfaction with the operation was high (98%), with a high rate of symptom resolution (95%). Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy is a safe, effective operation in selected cases and may soon become a common alternative to abdominal hysterectomy in certain cases.

Adult↗

Laser laparoscopic management of large endometriomas.

Forty-seven patients underwent laser laparoscopic management of endometriomas from 3 to 12 cm in diameter. Eighteen patients had infertility, 15 had pelvic pain, and 14 had both. The types of laser used were the carbon dioxide, argon, and potassium-titanyl-phosphate. There were no surgical complications. Twelve of 32 patients with infertility achieved pregnancy after the initial procedure. Subsequently, 2 patients conceived after a second-look procedure. Twenty-three of 30 patients with pelvic pain reported improvement or resolution. We confirm the efficacy of operative laparoscopy using lasers in the management of large ovarian endometriomas.

Adult↗

The use of an automatic stapling device for laparoscopic appendectomy.

Laparoscopic appendectomy, for years performed only occasionally, is becoming more common with the increasing interest by both general surgeons and gynecologists in "minimally invasive surgery." A recently available automatic laparoscopic stapling system (the MULTI-FIRE ENDO GIA 30) claims to make laparoscopic appendectomy technically easier to perform. The technique of laparoscopic appendectomy using this automatic stapling device was evaluated in ten patients and compared with our previous laparoscopic techniques. The MULTI-FIRE ENDO GIA passes through a 12-mm trocar and allows placement of two triple-staggered lines of titanium staples with a simultaneous cut. Using this technique, operating time for laparoscopic appendectomy was reduced from an average of 30 to a minimum of 5 minutes. With this technique, no appendiceal contents leaked intraperitoneally. The larger trocar allowed easier removal of the separated appendix with minimal dissection of the mesoappendix. Indications for appendectomy included endometriosis of the appendix (three), fixation to the right tube or ovary (three), early acute appendicitis (two), and elective removal (two). There were no immediate or late complications. Our preliminary experience with the MULTI-FIRE ENDO GIA 30 stapler suggests that it is a safe, easy, and rapid method of removing the appendix laparoscopically.

Adult↗