PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

M Paz-Partlow

Publications and source records attributed to M Paz-Partlow.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

The role of cholangiography in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Cholangiography is not routinely performed in open surgery, but there are reasons why it should be in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. These include finding common duct stones, identifying the cystic-common duct junction, and noting an inadvertent injury. Thirty-six (7.0%) of 516 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were converted to open surgery; 24 before attempting cholangiography and 12 based on roentgenographic findings. In 73 patients (14.1%), cholangiography showed abnormal findings. Common duct injury was identified in one patient and common duct stones were found in 35. Twenty-one patients were treated laparoscopically and eight underwent open choledocholithotomy. In 22 patients, a short cystic duct was seen that might otherwise have been overlooked, and possible injury was avoided. Cholangiography should be attempted routinely, so that in cases with abnormal findings, open cholecystectomy may be considered.

Catheterization

New ideas and improved instrumentation for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

A new cholangiograsper cannula was developed through which a Fr 4 or 5 ureteric cannula can be advanced into the incised cystic duct and held in a water-tight position. This instrument facilitates intraoperative cholangiography. A plastic trocar stylet eliminates the metal shadow of the trocar during cholangiography. A new "laparocamera" is described where camera and telescope are built together in one unit decreasing the need for additional manipulation during the procedure. A camera holder driven by air helps the operator to keep his/her hands free. The need for a third assistant is avoided by inserting the camera into a (presterilized) holder, the position of which is controlled by press buttons.

Catheterization

A new training device for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy provides a new approach for gallbladder removal with which most general surgeons are not familiar. Requisites for the safe performance of this procedure are good hand-eye coordination, depth perception, and team cooperation. To aid with problems in depth perception and in the opposing movements caused by the lever principle, a training model was designed in which surgeons may execute a variety of exercises to enhance their motor skills and learn to work cooperatively with two other surgeons before operating on an experimental animal.

Cholecystectomy

Elective diagnostic laparoscopy.

Laparoscopy developed as a science at the turn of the century, and many scientists assisted in the evolution of this technique. However, it was many years before the multiple trocar system was developed that allowed internal organs to be moved and biopsies to be obtained. This has led to the development of numerous indications for elective diagnostic laparoscopy. Adequate preparation and attention to instrumentation ensure the safety of this operation. Elective diagnostic laparoscopy is a useful adjunct to many other diagnostic modalities such as, for instance, the assessment of abdominal pain, abdominal masses, fever of unknown origin, and gastrointestinal bleeding. In many other circumstances, such as the assessment of oncology cases, this modality is superior to conventional radiology because biopsy specimens may be obtained. If the procedure is correctly performed, the diagnostic yield is extremely high and the morbidity and mortality are low. The role of this important technique should not be underestimated by today's practicing surgeon.

Adult

Emergency laparoscopy.

Unnecessary abdominal explorations in severely injured patients can be reduced by employing emergent or urgent laparoscopy in blunt abdominal trauma and the obscured, acute abdominal cases. In 150 blunt abdominal trauma cases, a mini-laparoscopy was used in the emergency room or the intensive care unit without major complications. In 56%, the findings were negative. In 19%, the laparoscopic findings were corroborated by surgery. In 25%, a minimal to moderate hemoperitoneum was found and the laparoscopic impression dictated close observation. Unnecessary exploration was avoided except in one case. In the elderly high-risk patient with a poor history, abdominal examination can be noninformative. Laparoscopy can detect acute appendicitis or organ perforation. In the young female, appendicitis can be differentiated from pelvic inflammatory disease. Laparoscopy is more accurate and gives a larger latitude for decision-making than lavage. It can also be useful in the obscured problematic abdominal case.

Abdomen, Acute

Routine or selected intraoperative cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy?

Intraoperative cholangiography can be helpful in cases in which the anatomy is obscured, unsuspected stones are discovered, or anatomic anomalies of surgical importance are found. There is a difference between open and closed laparoscopic cholecystectomy. It is more difficult to locate the common bile duct during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. During this procedure, the anatomy is distorted due to the extreme traction at the infundibulum. With a short cystic duct, the common bile duct can become "tented" and simulate the appearance of the cystic duct. Ductal injuries may be avoided by knowing where the clips should be placed in relation to the ductal system and by obtaining information about the intact display of the distal and proximal ductal system. The image can be observed immediately by using a modern fluoroscopic system, and permanent documentation can be obtained. We attempted intraoperative cholangiography in 415 cases and were successful in 90%. We strongly recommend the routine use of intraoperative cholangiography.

Catheterization

Ancillary instruments for the video microlaryngoscope.

Two years of experience with the video microlaryngoscope has identified the need for ancillary instrumentation to take full advantage of the system's potential. The authors developed the following additions to video microlaryngoscopy: 1) a hinged mirror that may be articulated from its pistol grip handle; 2) a 4-mm 30 degrees or 70 degrees angled telescope for examination of subglottic areas not accessible by mirror examination; and 3) angulated laryngeal instrumentation that permits operation on previously obscured anterior anatomy. The authors also find that the video microlaryngoscope's distal view eliminates interference with visualization caused by the syringe during vocal cord injection.

Humans

Laparoscopic trancystic choledocholithotomy as an adjunct to laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is rapidly becoming the standard operation for symptomatic cholelithiasis. Initially, common duct stones presented a barrier to this treatment modality and are said to be unsuspected in 5-9 per cent of patients. A technique is described that removes common bile duct stones through the cystic duct with a flexible nephroureteroscope, thereby extending the range of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Adult

Percutaneous endoscopic laser lithotripsy of retained stones in the left hepatic duct. The role of the surgeon.

A 35-year-old woman with a retained stone in a branch of the left hepatic duct was referred to us. The stone was discovered on the postoperative T-tube cholangiogram. A flexible ureteroscope was introduced into the duct, under fluoroscopic and direct endoscopic vision and the pulse dye laser was used successfully to disintegrate the calculus. The postoperative course was uneventful. We suggest that in certain selected cases, the pulsed dye laser might be useful in disintegrating stones sited in difficult positions.

Adult

The importance of intraoperative cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) using electrocoagulation was successfully performed in 56 out of 58 selected patients. Cholangiography was performed in 53 patients. Six patients had common duct stones; five were unsuspected preoperatively. After the gallbladder was removed, three patients underwent open common duct exploration. In another five cases, anatomical anomalies were discovered. Cholangiography performed via the cystic duct before any structures are divided can prevent the most serious complication--common duct injury. Cholangiography should be attempted on all patients undergoing LC.

Adolescent

Intra-operative and postoperative biliary endoscopy (choledochoscopy). The role of the surgeons.

Intra-operative and postoperative choledochoscopy is an important adjunct to biliary surgery. In the last two decades, the necessity of this examination became obvious but two surveys clearly indicated that despite the availability of instruments surgeons do not use it routinely. One of the reasons is the long learning curve and the limited experience. The introduction of the video choledochoscope opened a new chapter because the surgeon could learn it faster and the technique is easier to use. Choledochoscopy is a "two man" job, requiring four hands. Using video choledochoscopy, the assistant and the operator can observe the situation together, therefore coordination of movement is easier. The actual endoscopic procedure is faster and the location of the stone, its removal, and the sphincter function are recorded on tape. This is a great step forward in analyzing sphincter function. It became the method of choice in teaching. It is assumed that, with the introduction of video choledochoscopy, the incidence of missed stones will be decreased significantly.

Animals

Electronic imaging in endoscopy.

Endoscopy evolved from a hollow tube view of visually restricted areas into an expansive, distal representation of the anatomy. Rod lens telescopes, improved coherent imaging bundles, superior light sources, and other optical advances enhanced endoscopic observations. Yet complicated endoscopic procedures remained visible to the endoscopist alone, relegating assistance and consultation to verbal description of sophisticated visual observation. Instrumentational advances alone did not promote three crucial elements: participation, cooperation and documentation. The importance of these elements has increased with the need for coordinated assistance in complex operative endoscopic manipulations, as well as in a visual record for improved documentation and consultation. New imaging technologies are supplanting the unwieldy, often daunting equipment once required for photodocumentation. The charged couple device (CCD) 2/3 and 1/2 in. "chip" video camera miniaturization provides nearly weightless TV coobservation. Distal chip placement has created the "video endoscope". Combined with the 8 mm tape format, the chip has created a lightweight, single unit camera, monitor, and recorder. A recent advantage, magnetic disc recording, permits still video storage of up to 25 images. An electronic printer produces a hard color copy (4 x 5), which is inserted in the chart before the patient leaves the endoscopy room. The cost of the equipment can be shared in multidisciplinary institutions.

Costs and Cost Analysis

The impact of electronic imaging in intraoperative biliary endoscopy (choledochoscopy).

In the last decade, choledochoscopy has become an essential tool for biliary surgery. It is widely accepted, but it is not employed by every surgeon who performs choledocholithotomies. The reason is the limited experience of surgeons performing 30-40 cholecystectomies per year. A survey of 150 hospitals clearly showed that common bile duct exploration is performed in 10%-15% of these cases. General surgeons are not endoscopists. A new video choledochoscope that displays the image in a large format via the TV monitor was developed, which can be viewed with both eyes and an assistant's help; this expedites and coordinates the procedure. The entire process is videotaped and can be used for further analysis and during consultation. It has become the method of choice for teaching. Most importantly, the learning curve of general surgeons has become significantly shorter. The procedure is taught and the surgeon can learn it easily. Its use will contribute to a decrease in the incidence of retained stones and will improve patient care.

Animals

Mini-laparoscopy in blunt abdominal trauma.

Blunt abdominal trauma in multiorgan injured or comatose patients always presents a problem. The aim is to assess, in the shortest period of time, which organ injury requires priority and whether intra-abdominal bleeding or perforation exists. Abdominal lavage proved to be too sensitive. Not every positive case needs exploration. Approximately 15%-20% of the cases explored because of positive lavage did not show a significant bleeding site that would require surgical treatment. The authors developed a mini-laparoscope that can be used at the bedside, in the emergency room, or in the intensive care unit. The procedure can be performed with intravenous sedation and local anesthesia. In 150 cases, no hemoperitoneum was found in 53% of these cases. Except for 1, none of these patients needed further exploration. In 21%, severe hemoperitoneum was discovered; these patients were transferred to the operating room, and this was confirmed by surgery. In 26%, a small amount of blood was found in the gutters. These patients were observed in the intensive care unit and an unnecessary exploration was avoided. Laparoscopy gives a wider range of decision making by observing the abdominal cavity. It can be completed in 10-20 min at the bedside. No serious complications were encountered. This procedure should be taught and practiced in trauma centers.

Abdominal Injuries

TV laparoscopy. A new dimension in visualization and documentation of pelvic pathology.

A new miniature color TV camera is employed routinely during laparoscopy. It offers the following advantages: a binocular view from a convenient distance; a significantly enlarged image; easy observation of minute changes; observation of the procedure by the entire team, thereby permitting faster coordinated manipulations involving the assistant; provision of simultaneous, permanent records; and the method of choice in teaching.

Female

The rotary gallstone lithotrite to aid gallbladder extraction in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

During laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a large stone burden may cause difficulty when extracting the gallbladder through the abdominal wall. Currently, the alternatives available to the surgeon include increasing the incision, removing stones singly, or utilizing complex fragmentation techniques like the pulsed dye laser. We have employed an electromechanical rotary gallstone lithotrite (RGL) to fragment stones to an aspiratable size. Initially, cholesterol spheres were pulverized in a latex balloon to demonstrate the efficacy of the device. Then, human gallstones were placed in the balloon and reduced to fragments less than or equal to 1 mm from initial sizes of 4-24 mm. Human stones were then inserted in ex vivo porcine gallbladders in a controlled experiment and treated with the device. Ten out of 12 tests were completed within 30 s; one test required 49 s and one 105 s to achieve complete fragmentation. Blinded histological evaluation demonstrated that tissue abrasion caused by use of the device would not interfere with the diagnosis of unsuspected malignancy. Clinical trials have now commenced under the auspices of the hospital ethical committee.

Animals