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Biomedical subjects

V E Andrei

Publications and source records attributed to V E Andrei.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery: an emerging technique.

BACKGROUND: Some surgeons are finding that the placement of one hand in the abdomen during laparoscopic procedures returns tactile feedback lost during purely laparoscopic surgery and facilitates dissection, retraction, and control of bleeding. Studies comparing patient postoperative discomfort after laparoscopic and hand-assisted laparoscopic procedures have not found a significant difference. METHODS: This article is a review of the current literature on hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery and of the different hand-assisted devices on the market. Included in the review are opinions of expert laparoscopic surgeons who have used hand-assisted devices. RESULTS: More than 100 hand-assisted laparoscopic procedures have been described in the literature. At least four different companies are involved in hand-assisted laparoscopic devices. Three of these companies currently are Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved in the United States. CONCLUSIONS: Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery is not necessary for all laparoscopic procedures. Hand-assisted laparoscopic technique is advantageous for certain procedures and clinical situations such as en bloc resections and removal of solid organ tumors, large colon tumors, and the kidney after donor nephrectomy. This technique offers benefits when a large incision is necessary to complete surgery such an open colon anastomosis.

Equipment Design↗

Small bowel ischemia following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Among a myriad of physiological adverse affects of pneumoperitoneum-associated intra-abdominal hypertension, compromise of the mesenteric circulation is well documented. METHODS: After experiencing a case of fatal small bowel ischemia in the aftermath of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the literature was reviewed. RESULTS: A Medline and Index Medicus search revealed at least 6 cases of small bowel ischemia following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Mesenteric ischemia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients developing nonspecific abdominal symptoms after laparoscopic procedures.

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Liver enzymes are commonly elevated following laparoscopic cholecystectomy: is elevated intra-abdominal pressure the cause?

BACKGROUND: A previous study disclosed 'unexplained' disturbances in postoperative liver function tests (LFTs) in up to 80% of 67 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). No cause for these elevations was documented. Our objective was to assess the incidence, cause and clinical significance of 'unexplained' disturbances in liver enzymes following LC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 270 patients who underwent LC and 64 patients undergoing open cholecystectomy (OC) was conducted. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: any preoperative abnormality in bilirubin or liver enzyme levels, history of chronic liver disease, gallbladder empyema, gangrene or perforation, any evidence or suggestion of choledocholithiasis or other ductal pathology on preoperative or intraoperative imaging or surgical exploration. Preoperatively and on postoperative day 1, alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels were measured. There 'unexplained' disturbances were defined as a 50% increase from preoperative values and/or above the normal range. At LC the pneumoperitoneum was maintained at a pressure not exceeding 15 mm Hg. RESULTS: In the groups undergoing OC and LC the respective early elevations in bilirubin occurred in 5 and 9% of patients (NS), and in alkaline phosphatase in 0 and 4% patients (NS). Postoperative ALT was elevated in 15% of patients following OC and in 34% after LC (p = 0. 004). 'Unexplained' LFT disturbances were not associated with any morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: 'Unexplained' disturbances in ALT following LC occur in 34% of the patients and appear to be clinically nonsignificant. It is suggested that the reason for this phenomenon is the pneumoperitoneum-related intra-abdominal hypertension; the only variable not present in the OC group.

Abdomen↗

Double gallbladder originating from left hepatic duct: a case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Double gallbladder is a rare anomaly of the biliary tract. Double gallbladder arising from the left hepatic duct was previously reported only once in the literature. CASE REPORT: A case of symptomatic cholelithiasis in a double gallbladder, diagnosed on preoperative ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP) is reported. At laparoscopic cholangiography via the accessory gallbladder no accessory cystic duct was visualized. After conversion to open cholecystectomy, the duplicated gallbladder was found to arise directly from the left hepatic duct; it was resected and the duct repaired. CONCLUSIONS: We emphasize that a careful intraoperative cholangiographic evaluation of the accessory gallbladder is mandatory in order to prevent inadvertent injury to bile ducts, since a large variety of ductal abnormality may exist.

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