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Maurice E Arregui

Publications and source records attributed to Maurice E Arregui.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Current status of laparoscopic ultrasound.

The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the beginning surgeon ultrasonographer to the use of ultrasound during laparoscopic surgery. The authors routinely use ultrasound in the intraoperative, endoscopic, and office settings. The importance of ultrasound in the various surgical specialties is well documented in the literature. Since the introduction of minimally invasive techniques to General Surgery, many advanced applications of ultrasonography have been developed. Confident examinations of intraabdominal anatomy, pathologic conditions, and therapeutic procedures can readily be performed. In this chapter, a comprehensive introduction to laparoscopic ultrasound is presented to the practicing General Surgeon. The basic equipment requirements and setup are explained. Fundamental techniques of laparoscopic ultrasound examination are described. The authors' method of screening for common bile duct stones during routine laparoscopic cholecystectomy is illustrated. Examination of the normal biliary tree with helpful hints is presented. The authors' systematic technique of visualizing the normal liver parenchyma is described. Common benign and malignant findings are elucidated. A brief synopsis of pancreatic ultrasonography with attention to pathologic findings is provided. Uses of ultrasound in unanticipated situations are introduced. With perseverance, the reader will discover that laparoscopic ultrasound skills can be readily attained.

Animals↗

Groin hernia repair by laparoscopic techniques: current status and controversies.

Laparoscopic hernia repair remains controversial, and its position in current hernia surgery remains in flux. In this article we attempt to put the laparoscopic approach in perspective by describing the rationale for its development. We summarize studies comparing it with open repairs, including recent publications, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews; and we then contrast the data with recent findings of the United States Veterans Affairs Cooperative study 456. We discuss the current and future status of the laparoscopic approach to inguinal hernia repair and present an update of our own laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal technique without mesh fixation. From 1994 to 2004 we performed 314 hernia repairs on 224 patients with no intraoperative complications, no conversions to an open procedure, and no mortality. Thirty (14%) minor postoperative complications occurred. There were three herniated lipomas (preperitoneal fat) but no true peritoneal reherniations. We evaluate critical points of laparoscopic hernia repair including extensive preperitoneal dissection, mesh configuration, size and fixation, cost reduction, and the learning curve.

Adult↗

Endoscopic ultrasonography.

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) was introduced in the early 1980s in an attempt to improve sonographic imaging of the pancreas. Its uses have been expanded to include examination of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts, hepatobiliary and portal systems,and the anal sphincter; diagnosis and staging of esophageal, gastric,and pancreaticobiliary tumors; and evaluation of mediastinal nodes in lung cancer. Although EUS has its limitations and is greatly dependent on operator skill, it has wide-ranging interventional and therapeutic applications that can be expected to increase in the future with technologic advances and greater educational opportunities for physicians.

Adenoma↗

Laparoscopic repair for groin hernias.

So where do things stand in 2003? Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy appears to result in less postoperative pain (acute and chronic) and in a shorter convalescence and an earlier return to work, compared with the open repair. It can be performed safely and with a low recurrence rate. However, it takes longer to do, is more difficult to learn, and costs more, all reasons why it is not more commonly performed. Currently, laparoscopic herniorrhaphy accounts for 15% to 20% of hernia operations in America and around the world. Who can blame the surgeon in a community practice for opting for the open mesh repair, operating on familiar anatomy, and using familiar techniques? Nevertheless, with efforts to cut costs by eliminating disposable equipment and honing skills to decrease operating time, laparoscopic herniorrhaphy will probably continue to be a contender, especially for the younger patient who wants to return to work quickly and for patients with bilateral and recurrent hernias. It is arguable that surgeons should possess skill in both open and laparoscopic techniques and should know the indications for each--some hernias are best repaired laparoscopically. That said, laparoscopic herniorrhaphy will most likely be performed by those with a special interest and proficiency in the technique. At the least, the laparoscopic revolution and laparoscopic hernia repair have helped elevate the study of hernia anatomy and herniorrhaphy to a position it deserves and this has made us all better hernia surgeons. What was once the stepchild of general surgery now occupies a more prominent and respectable place. With the continuing efforts of dedicated, energetic investigators, we should continue to see advances in the safe and effective repair of this most common of surgical maladies.

Digestive System Surgical Procedures↗

Lipomas of the cord and round ligament.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence, significance, and anatomy of spermatic cord and round ligament lipomas. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of 280 hernia repairs on 217 patients performed by a single surgeon (M.E.A.) from January 1996 to January 2000. The incidence of cord lipoma and relationship to inguinal hernia were evaluated. Further, when identified at the time of laparoscopic preperitoneal hernia repair, the anatomy of the lipomas was studied both at the time of surgery and again on review of videotapes. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-nine laparoscopic and 81 open inguinal hernia repairs were performed on 192 male patients and 25 female patients. Sixty-three lipomas of the cord were identified for an incidence of 22.5%. Overall, 18 cord lipomas were found in groins without hernias, and these were identified before surgery in 10 (2 by physical examination, 7 by groin ultrasound, and 1 by magnetic resonance imaging). The remaining nine were misidentified as a hernia before surgery. Fourteen of these patients presented with groin pain and four were asymptomatic. Forty-five lipomas were associated with hernias and were characterized as a hernia by examination in 43 instances. There were 32 (51%) cord lipomas associated with indirect hernias, 11 (17%) with direct hernias, and 1 each with pantaloon and femoral hernias. Nine lipomas were found in women, seven presenting with groin pain and six found without an associated peritoneal defect. Two patients presented with symptomatic cord lipomas after laparoscopic hernia repair. A lipoma of the cord is herniated fat that appears to originate from the retroperitoneal fat outside and posterior to the internal spermatic fascia and protrudes through the internal ring lateral to the cord. They are generally not visible by transperitoneal inspection unless manually reduced. CONCLUSIONS: Lipomas of the cord and round ligament occur with a significant incidence. They can cause hernia-type symptoms in the absence of a true hernia (associated with a peritoneal defect). They should be considered in the patient with groin pain and normal examination results. They can be easily overlooked at the time of laparoscopic hernia repair, and this can lead to an unsatisfactory result.

Adolescent↗