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Laparoscopy for abdominal emergencies.

The role of laparoscopy has been reviewed for these conditions: abdominal trauma, acute abdomen, abdominal pain of uncertain etiology, appendicitis and the acute abdomen in the intensive care unit patient. Laparoscopy should only be performed in trauma patients who are hemodynamically stable and who have some evidence for abdominal injury, such as a positive peritoneal lavage or a positive CT scan. Laparoscopy is an excellent procedure for determining whether a knife or missile has penetrated the peritoneum. For penetrating wounds in the chest and upper abdomen, laparoscopy also allows excellent evaluation of the diaphragm. In blunt trauma, laparoscopy identifies the majority of injuries, but there has been a 5-15% incidence of missed injuries to the small bowel and colon. The acute abdomen is generally caused by perforation, acute inflammation or intestinal obstruction. Of the various types of perforation, diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy is most applicable for duodenal perforation. Acute perforation of the stomach and colon should probably be treated by standard open techniques. For acute inflammatory disorders, laparoscopy is an excellent diagnostic tool and can also provide definitive treatment in the form of drainage of an abscess or appendectomy. The role of laparoscopy for ileus and bowel obstruction is controversial; some surgeons advocate diagnostic laparoscopy and treatment, while many others still consider bowel obstruction and abdominal distention to be contra-indications. Finally, there are the intensive care unit patients in whom an acute intraabdominal process is suspected. Laparoscopy in such patients alters the clinical management in about 50% of patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abdomen, Acute↗

[Analysis of 35,013 gynecologic laparoscopies (East German survey). 2].

In 81 women's hospital, in which 35,013 gynaecological laparoscopies were made, 42.9% of the specialists are able to perform laparoscopies by themselves. 51.9% of the questioned hospital directors recommend learning how to perform laparoscopies during specialization, and 48.1% plead for laparoscopy training only for gynaecologic specialists. 64.2% of the questioned ones were in favour of laparoscopy courses. Performance of diagnostic laparoscopies was recommended for all gynaecological institutions by 82.7%. In the opinion of the majority (74.8%) operative laparoscopies should be done only in larger central hospitals. It was generally agreed that chronic diseases of the lower abdomen, sterility and suspected ectopic pregnancy are indications for laparoscopy. Other acute complaints have been diagnosed less frequently by means of laparoscopy. Second-look-laparoscopies were made by 59.3% and 55.6% of the questioned doctors, mainly for checking the situation operations because of ovarian cancer and sterility. In 61.1% of all hospitals other diagnostic and therapeutic operations per laparoscopiam are done. The rate of severe complications was 0.21%, and the mortality rate amounted to 0.057%.

Curriculum↗

Cost-effectiveness of laparoscopy in children.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy may offer fast recovery and improved cosmesis, but its cost has been perceived as excessive. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the total hospital costs of laparoscopy vs open surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective cost-effectiveness analysis evaluating all cases performed in a 36-month period (September 1995 to August 1998). Cases were evaluated for operative time, itemized cost of supplies, and length of hospitalization. SETTING: Operations performed by pediatric surgeons in a tertiary care children's hospital. PATIENTS: Consecutive children undergoing laparoscopic or open appendectomies, cholecystectomies, fundoplications, and splenectomies. Patients were not randomized to laparoscopy, or open surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic procedures performed with a core set of reusable equipment and a limited number of disposable instruments. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cost surplus of laparoscopy was evaluated, and compared with savings associated with decreased hospital stay, to obtain cost-effectiveness of laparoscopy per procedure. RESULTS: There were 26 laparoscopic and 359 open appendectomies; 33 laparoscopic and 3 open cholecystectomies; 16 laparoscopic and 18 open fundoplications; and 16 laparoscopic and 7 open splenectomies. Excess operating costs per procedure were $442.00 for appendectomy, $634.60 for fundoplication, $847.50 for cholecystectomy, and $1551.30 for splenectomy. Hospital stay was decreased for all laparoscopies, resulting in an overall savings per laparoscopic procedure of $2369.90 for appendectomy, $5390.90 for fundoplication, $1161.00 for cholecystectomy, and $858.90 for splenectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy is cost-effective, particularly for fundoplication, appendectomy, and cholecystectomy. Detailing the costs of supplies, operating time, and length of stay allows interinstitutional comparison and critical cost-analysis of laparoscopy. With a more selective use of reusable instruments and further shortening of operative time, the global savings of laparoscopy may increase.

Adolescent↗

Laparoscopy versus laparotomy for benign ovarian tumours.

BACKGROUND: Over the last ten years laparoscopy has become an increasingly common approach for the surgical removal of benign ovarian tumours. There remains uncertainty as to the value of this intervention. This review has been undertaken to assess the available evidence for the benefits and harms of laparoscopic surgery for benign ovarian tumours compared to laparotomy. OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy, safety and cost of laparoscopic surgery compared with laparotomy in women with ovarian tumours assumed to be benign. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched electronic databases, trials registers and reference lists of published trial reports. Review articles were also searched. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised controlled trials comparing laparoscopy versus laparotomy for benign ovarian tumours. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Three reviewers independently assessed each study's eligibility and quality and extracted data. MAIN RESULTS: Six randomised controlled trials were identified involving 324 patients. Three subgroups of ovarian tumours were considered: any histological type of benign ovarian tumour, dermoid cysts and endometriomata. Surgical outcomes: The mean duration of surgery was longer in the laparoscopy group compared to the laparotomy group overall (WMD 11.39; 95% CI 0.57 to 22.22). However, heterogeneity was present with substantial inconsistency (I(2)=87%) . The heterogeneity found in these analyses was likely to reflect differences in the patient populations. Adverse effects of surgery: The pooled estimate for febrile morbidity decreased for laparoscopy compared to laparotomy (Peto OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.13 to 0.88). The odds of any adverse effect of surgery (total number of complications - surgical injury and/or post operative complications) were decreased after laparoscopic procedures (Peto OR 0.26; 95% CI 0.12 to 0.55). Short-term recovery: VAS pain scores favoured laparoscopy (WMD -2.36; 95% CI -2.07 to -2.03) andt he odds of being pain free were significantly greater for the laparoscopy group compared to laparotomy (Peto OR 7.35; 95% CI 4.3 to 12.56). Mean length of hospital stay was shorter in the laparoscopy group with reduction 2.79 days (95% CI -2.95 to -2.62) compared to laparotomy. Economic outcomes: There was a significant reduction of US$1045 (95% CI -1361 to -726.97) in the laparoscopy group compared to the laparotomy group in one trial of women with any type of benign ovarian tumour. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: In women undergoing surgery for benign ovarian tumours, laparoscopy is associated with a reduction in the following; febrile morbidity, urinary tract infection, post operative complications, post operative pain, days in hospital and total cost. These findings should be interpreted with caution as only a small number of studies were identified including a total of only 324 women and not all of the important outcomes were reported in each study.

Female↗

Influence of laparoscopy on postoperative recurrence and survival in patients with ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing hepatic resection.

BACKGROUND: Use of laparoscopy in patients with gastrointestinal cancer has been associated with port-site and peritoneal tumour metastases. The effect of laparoscopy on tumour recurrence and long-term survival in patients undergoing resection of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. METHODS: Between June 1994 and December 2001, 59 patients with ruptured HCC underwent surgical exploration with a view to hepatic resection. Laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasonography was performed in 33 patients; the other 26 patients underwent exploratory laparotomy without laparoscopy. Perioperative and long-term outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Exploratory laparotomy was avoided in 12 of 13 patients with irresectable HCC who had a laparoscopy. The hospital stay of these 12 patients was significantly shorter than that of eight patients found to have irresectable HCC at exploratory laparotomy (median 11 versus 15 days; P = 0.043). Twenty patients had a laparoscopy followed by open resection of HCC, whereas 18 patients underwent laparotomy and resection without laparoscopy. There were no significant differences in disease-free (16 versus 19 per cent; P = 0.525) and overall (32 versus 48 per cent; P = 0.176) survival at 3 years between the two groups. The tumour recurrence pattern was similar between the two groups, and there were no port-site or wound metastases. CONCLUSION: Use of diagnostic laparoscopy in patients with ruptured HCC helps avoid unnecessary exploratory laparotomy. The present data suggest that laparoscopy does not have an adverse effect on tumour recurrence or survival in patients who undergo resection.

Adult↗

Role of laparoscopy in blunt perforations of the small bowel.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether laparoscopy could improve our ability to diagnose and treat perforations of the small bowel. METHODS: From 1985 to 2001, among 250 patients admitted for a blunt abdominal trauma, 195 surgical explorations were performed, comprising 42 laparoscopies. On admission, 108 patients underwent an abdominal ultrasonography (US) and 104 a computed tomography (CT). Thirty-nine patients had a blunt small bowel trauma (BSBT) that was explored and/or treated by laparoscopy (n = 15) or celiotomy (n = 24). We compared the patients who underwent emergency surgery (23) and those who were operated on after a mean delay of 51 h. RESULTS: On admission, for detecting free intraperitoneal fluid with a BSBT, the sensitivity of CT was 93.3% and specificity was 13.6%. Regarding the 23 patients who underwent emergency surgery, 8/20 had positive US and 10/15 had positive CT, whereas the 15 celiotomies and 8 laparoscopies indicated BSBT. Regarding the 16 patients who underwent delayed surgery, 9 patients underwent a celiotomy and 7 a laparoscopy; all BSBTs were diagnosed. In searching for BSBT, the sensitivity and specificity of laparoscopy were both 100%, whereas the sensitivity of CT was 83.3% and specificity was 22.2%. Twenty of 23 patients undergoing emergency surgery had bowel suture repair compared to 3/16 after delayed surgery. In contrast, a resection was necessary in 10/12 patients treated after a delay compared to 2/17 operated in emergency. Five BSBTs were sutured by laparoscopy, whereas 10 required conversion. Laparoscopy avoided celiotomy in 15 cases. There were no deaths and no enterostomy. CONCLUSION: In hemodynamically stable patients with blunt abdominal trauma, laparoscopy safely and effectively identifies small bowel injuries. Early recognition of these injuries and timely surgical treatment offer the best prognosis.

Abdominal Injuries↗

Selective use of diagnostic laparoscopy in patients with suspected appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic laparoscopy has been introduced as a new diagnostic tool for patients with acute appendicitis. We performed diagnostic laparoscopy when the clinical diagnosis of appendicitis was in doubt. The aims of this study were to evaluate this strategy and to analyze the efficacy of diagnostic laparoscopy in patients with suspected appendicitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients referred to our hospital with suspected appendicitis during the period 1994-1997 were evaluated prospectively. The clinical diagnosis was determined by the surgeon or resident on call based on the patient's history, physical examination, and leukocyte count. The patients were divided into three groups: group 1: appendicitis not likely. These patients were observed for 24 h or discharged. When they showed signs of appendicitis in 24 h, they were transferred to either group 2 or 3; group 2: doubt concerning diagnosis. These patients underwent diagnostic laparoscopy, and appendectomy was performed if indicated; group 3: In these patients the diagnosis appendicitis was felt to be certain. They were treated by primary appendectomy by an open procedure. In this study, 1,050 patients, 531 women (51%), 389 men (37%), and 130 children (12%) <11 yrs, were evaluated. RESULTS: Altogether, 377 diagnostic laparoscopies were performed, leaving 109 healthy-looking appendices in place. This reduced the negative appendectomy rate from 25% to 14% in all surgically managed patients. The negative appendectomy rate for the women in group 2 was reduced from 49% to 14%, and for the men from 22% to 11%, so it also seemed worthwhile to perform diagnostic laparoscopy in men. Because the appendix sana was left in place in only three children, the benefit from laparoscopy is relatively small for children. In 48% of these patients a second diagnosis was obtained, most of them gynecologic in nature. There were no false-negative laparoscopies and no complications resulting from the laparoscopic procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic laparoscopy is a safe procedure that reduced the appendix sana rate without increasing the total number of operations. It is a useful method for obtaining other, mostly gynecologic, diagnoses. To further reduce the appendix sana rate, better criteria for laparoscopic assessment of the appendix are needed.

Acute Disease↗

Acute appendicitis--a clear-cut case in men, a guessing game in young women. A prospective study on the role of laparoscopy.

BACKGROUND: The aggressive surgical approach to patients suspected of having acute appendicitis for fear of perforation, and the inaccuracy of available diagnostic methods lead to an unacceptably high negative appendicectomy rate, especially in young women, in whom gynecological disorders frequently mimic appendicitis. Our objectives were to determine the value of diagnostic laparoscopy in women of child-bearing age to reduce the number of negative laparotomies and establish the correct diagnosis to allow prompt and appropriate treatment. METHODS: 161 consecutive adult female patients under 50 years of age with a clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis underwent diagnostic laparoscopy prior to the planned appendicectomy. If an inflamed appendix was found, appendicectomy was usually done through a muscle-splitting McBurney incision. Other diagnoses were treated accordingly. A normal appendix was not removed. Results were compared to a group of 42 similar patients in whom the laparoscopy was omitted for various reasons, to 23 postmenopausal women, and to all 137 male adults, directly operated by the McBurney approach. RESULTS: After laparoscopy, 55% of the patients required appendicectomy for appendicitis while in 23% a gynecological diagnosis was made in spite of previous examination by a gynecologist. Fourteen percent had a negative laparoscopy. There were no false-negative results. The negative appendicectomy rate after laparoscopy was 5% due to two false positives and eight laparoscopy failures. In the group of fertile females who escaped laparoscopy the negative appendicectomy rate was 38%. The respective rates for postmenopausal women and men were 4% and 8%. CONCLUSIONS: All women of child-bearing age suspected of having acute appendicitis should undergo diagnostic laparoscopy prior to the planned appendicectomy, regardless of the certainty of the preoperative diagnosis. This is currently the only way to reduce the negative appendicectomy rate and establish a correct diagnosis allowing prompt and appropriate treatment. In male patients and postmenopausal women one may proceed directly to emergency appendicectomy.

Acute Disease↗

[Laparoscopy with a diagnostic aim in abdominal emergencies].

In acute abdominal syndromes when a surgical exploration is required by the presence of peritoneal symptoms, laparoscopy allows to recognize the lesions and to perform simultaneously the appropriate treatment in most cases. When the surgical indication is doubtful, mainly in case of acute appendicitis, sonography or scanography may confirm the diagnosis. In case of persisting doubt, diagnostic laparoscopy is justified and laparoscopic appendicectomy seems to be the best method when another pathology is not detected by laparoscopy. In abdominal wounds, laparoscopy is useful to confirm their intraperitoneal penetration, mainly in gunshot wounds, and to recognize a diaphragmatic wound which is often isolated and unknown. Laparoscopy often fails to detect all abdominal injuries. In blunt abdominal traumas, laparoscopy is not recommended at the first step. In conclusion, laparoscopy with diagnostic intent only is rarely indicated in abdominal emergencies and its use is not worth being extended. Diagnostic value of laparoscopy is closely linked to its therapeutic interest. Laparoscopy with both diagnostic and therapeutic intent has to be developed in most abdominal emergencies.

Abdomen, Acute↗

Diagnostic laparoscopy, serum CA125, and peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Peritoneal metastasis is a crucial factor for the prognosis in gastric cancer, but its diagnosis is difficult before laparotomy. We report on the utility of laparoscopy and its indications in the detection of peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 39 patients with gastric cancer underwent laparoscopy and peritoneal cytology investigation in our department, between April 1992 and April 2000. Laparoscopic diagnosis for peritoneal metastasis (LP-P) was determined through macroscopic, pathological and cytological diagnoses. All the patients underwent diagnostic imaging with computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound before laparoscopy. Carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9, and CA125 levels in serum and peritoneal fluid were measured using enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Laparoscopic diagnosis for peritoneal metastasis gave negative results in 21 patients and positive results in 18. All the patients with negative LP-P findings underwent surgery; 18 of the 21 patients showed no peritoneal metastasis, but three were diagnosed as having peritoneal metastasis, one at the pouch of Douglas and two at the mesentery. The diagnosis of all the patients with positive LP-P findings was finally confirmed as correct. The specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy of laparoscopy for peritoneal metastasis were 100 % (18/18, 95 % CI 0.82 - 1), 86 % (18/21, 95 % CI 0.64 - 0.97), and 92 % (36/39, 95 % CI 0.79 - 0.98), respectively. The specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy of diagnostic imaging for peritoneal metastasis were 100 % (18/18, 95 % CI 0.82 - 1), 38 % (8/21, 95 % CI 0.18 - 0.62), and 67 % (26/39, 95 % CI 0.50 - 0.81), respectively. All of the 11 patients showing high levels of serum CA125 (equal to or more than 35 U/ml) had peritoneal metastasis whereas 17 of the 26 patients with low levels of serum CA125 (less than 35 U/ml) did not ( P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity of laparoscopy for peritoneal metastasis was much higher than that of diagnostic imaging. Laparoscopy and serum CA125 level both predicted peritoneal metastasis, but the degree, volume, or distribution of peritoneal metastasis was disclosed only by laparoscopy. Laparoscopy is a useful way of detecting peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer, and patients with an elevated level of serum CA125 are the best candidates for laparoscopy.

Adult↗

Effects of laparoscopy on intraperitoneal tumor growth and distant metastases in an animal model.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer is currently being evaluated in humans. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of laparoscopy on intraperitoneal tumor growth and distant metastases in an animal model. We also examined the effect of combining laparotomy with laparoscopy and on infusing the peritoneal cavity with normal saline solution (NaCl), water, and sodium hypochlorite after laparoscopy on intraperitoneal tumor growth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Female Fischer rats were given MtLn3 adenocarcinoma cells by intraperitoneal injection to produce intraperitoneal tumor growth and by tail vein injection to produce lung metastases. A pneumoperitoneum was then induced to a pressure of 8 mm Hg with carbon dioxide (CO2), helium, or room air. After this, animals were allowed to either recover or underwent laparotomy or infusion of NaCl, water, or sodium hypochlorite before recovery, depending on the experiment. At 21 days all animals were killed and intraperitoneal tumor growth was assessed by counting the number of peritoneal and serosal nodules and by weighing the omental pad of tumor. Lung metastases were assessed by counting the number of metastases after fixation. RESULTS: Laparoscopy caused a marked intraperitoneal dissemination of tumor with a median of 17 (10 to 20) peritoneal and serosal nodules for CO2, 19.5 (12.5 to 25) for helium, and 15.0 (9.5 to 17.7) for room air compared with 0 (0 to 1) for controls (P < .0001). The weight of omental tumor was also significantly increased (P < .02) in the CO2, helium, and room air groups. Infusion with NaCl, water, or sodium hypochlorite had no effect on tumor dissemination after laparoscopy. The combination of laparoscopy and laparotomy caused a significant reduction (P < .05) in the number of peritoneal nodules but had no significant effect on omental tumor growth. Laparoscopy also had no effect on the number of pulmonary metastases induced compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that laparoscopy promotes intraperitoneal dissemination of tumor. This effect is independent of the insufflating gas used and is not affected by use of a cytotoxic agent. The use of gasless laparoscopy should be encouraged by those undertaking curative laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer.

Animals↗

Urology practice patterns after residency training in laparoscopy.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic training has been incorporated into many urology residency programs. Although the impact of laparoscopic training courses has been examined, the impact of residency training in laparoscopy on subsequent urology practice patterns has not been assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Urologists completing their residency from 1977 through 1999 at Tulane University and the University of California-San Diego were sent anonymous questionnaires in September 2000. The questionnaires evaluated practice demographics, operative experience in laparoscopy during residency, and the role of laparoscopy in the urologist's current practice. Factors impacting the decision to perform or not perform laparoscopy were evaluated. RESULTS: Sixty-one former residents (67%) responded to the questionnaire. Urologists were more likely to perform laparoscopic procedures if they had been trained during their residency (69%) than if they had no experience during residency (34%; p < 0.025). Intensity of laparoscopic experience in residency did not appear to correlate with ongoing practice, with 73% of residents having <15 cases during residency training continuing to perform laparoscopy compared with 67% of residents doing 15 to 80 laparoscopic cases. Urologists who had been trained in laparoscopy during residency cited the need for more training (47%) and inadequate case volume (47%) as reasons for not currently performing laparoscopy. Among those who had received residency training, the most common reasons given were inadequate case volume (61%) and increased operative time (57%). CONCLUSIONS: This survey suggests that laparoscopic procedures are more likely to be performed by physicians who have received training during residency. As the number of urologists who have been trained in laparoscopy during residency increases, shifts in practice patterns will continue to evolve, along with advances in urologic laparoscopy.

Humans↗

Laparoscopy for diagnosis and treatment of acute abdominal pain.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of unexplained acute abdominal pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-six patients with acute abdominal pain (41 women, 15 men; median age 27) who attended our hospital between July 1996 and July 1999 and in whom a definite diagnosis could not be made by conventional methods underwent diagnostic laparoscopy. RESULTS: The laparoscopic procedure was performed under general anesthesia in 43 patients and local anesthesia in 13 patients. The median duration of laparoscopy was 16 minutes. The sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic laparoscopy were found to be 98% and 96%, respectively. The most frequent diagnosis was acute appendicitis (38%). Laparoscopic treatment of the surgical pathology was possible in 36 patients; in seven patients, conversion to laparotomy was necessary. The median postoperative hospital stay was 1 day in the diagnostic laparoscopy group. The median treatment cost was lower in the diagnostic laparoscopy group than in the therapeutic laparoscopy or laparotomy groups. There was no mortality or morbidity in the laparoscopy groups. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy is an effective method for the diagnosis and treatment of surgical pathologies in patients in whom the diagnosis cannot be made with physical examination and noninvasive methods.

Abdomen, Acute↗

Carcinoma of the pancreatic head and periampullary region. Tumor staging with laparoscopy and laparoscopic ultrasonography.

OBJECTIVE: The authors performed a prospective evaluation of staging laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasonography in predicting surgical resectability in patients with carcinomas of the pancreatic head and periampullary region. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Pancreatic resection with curative intent is possible in a select minority of patients who have carcinomas of the pancreatic head and periampullary region. Patient selection is important to plan appropriate therapy and avoid unnecessary laparotomy in patients with unresectable disease. Laparoscopic ultrasonography is a novel technique that combines the proven benefits of staging laparoscopy with high resolution intraoperative ultrasound of the liver and pancreas, but which has yet to be evaluated critically in the staging of pancreatic malignancy. METHODS: A cohort of 40 consecutive patients referred to a tertiary referral center and with a diagnosis of potentially resectable pancreatic or periampullary cancer underwent staging laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasonography. The diagnostic accuracy of staging laparoscopy alone and in conjunction with laparoscopic ultrasonography was evaluated in predicting tumor resectability (absence of peritoneal or liver metastases; absence of malignant regional lymphadenopathy; tumor confined to pancreatic head or periampullary region). RESULTS: "Occult" metastatic lesions were demonstrated by staging laparoscopy in 14 patients (35%). Laparoscopic ultrasonography demonstrated factors confirming unresectable tumor in 23 patients (59%), provided staging information in addition to that of laparoscopy alone in 20 patients (53%), and changed the decision regarding tumor resectability in 10 patients (25%). Staging laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasonography was more specific and accurate in predicting tumor resectability than laparoscopy alone (88% and 89% versus 50% and 65%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Staging laparoscopy is indispensable in the detection of "occult" intra-abdominal metastases. Laparoscopic ultrasonography improves the accuracy of laparoscopic staging in patients with potentially resectable pancreatic and periampullary carcinomas.

Adenocarcinoma↗

The role of laparoscopy in abdominal trauma.

Thirty-nine hemodynamically stable trauma patients were evaluated prospectively by laparoscopy before planned celiotomy. Laparoscopy was performed using a forward-viewing laparoscope connected to two high-resolution video monitors. The mechanism of injury was blunt trauma in eight, stab wounds (SWs) in 16, and gunshot wounds (GSWs) in 15. Laparoscopy correctly identified the presence of an intraperitoneal injury in 26 patients. Six other patients had retroperitoneal injuries, five of which were seen on laparoscopy. The remaining seven patients had no demonstrable intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal injuries, did not undergo celiotomy, and were observed without morbidity. In comparison with findings at surgery, laparoscopy identified injuries to the liver in eight of ten, to the diaphragm in three of three, to the colon in two of three, to the stomach in three of three, to the kidney in one of one, to the spleen in none of three, and to the small bowel in none of four patients. Visualization of the spleen was achieved in only one patient. The extent of the hemoperitoneum was underestimated from the laparoscopic examination in all nine patients with greater than 750 mL of peritoneal blood, four of whom had undetected active bleeding. Laparoscopy was performed easily in all patients and there were no complications associated with its use. In conclusion, the absence of an intra-abdominal injury was correctly identified with laparoscopy in 11 patients and laparoscopy may decrease the need for celiotomy in selected patients. However, the inability to "run the small bowel," visualize the spleen, and evaluate hemorrhage limits the utility of laparoscopy in determining which patients with laparoscopically visualized injuries will require celiotomy.

Abdominal Injuries↗

Cardiorespiratory parameters during conventional or gasless gynecological laparoscopy under general or regional anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Conventional laparoscopy is aided by CO2 insufflation, which may impair the cardiorespiratory system and have life-threatening implications. This procedure is conducted under general anesthesia (GA). Gasless laparoscopy supposedly eliminates most of those disadvantages, but is technically more difficult to perform. In the present study, we compared cardiorespiratory parameters of conventional abdominal laparoscopy under GA to gasless laparoscopy under general or epidural anesthesia. MATERIAL/METHODS: This is a prospective study. Twenty four healthy female patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopies lasting <90 min were randomly assigned to one of three groups: group 1, conventional laparoscopy under GA; group 2, gasless laparoscopy under GA; and group 3, gasless laparoscopy under epidural anesthesia. Cardiorespiratory parameters and length of operative, postanesthesia care unit (PACU), and hospitalization periods as well as analgesic requirements in the PACU and complications in the operative and postoperative periods were recorded. RESULTS: No significant differences were detected between groups throughout the operative and postoperative periods, except for a rise in CO2 in group 1 and a lower analgesic requirement in the PACU in group 3. CONCLUSIONS: General and regional anesthesia may be employed in gasless laparoscopy for gynecological surgery.

Adult↗

Patient acceptance of diagnostic laparoscopy.

PURPOSE: To assess patient acceptance of diagnostic conventional laparoscopy and minilaparoscopy under sedoanalgesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 120 consecutive patients undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy were enrolled prospectively in this study. Within the first week after diagnostic laparoscopy the patients were asked to answer a total of eight questions with regard to the acceptance of the procedure. RESULTS: The inconvenience of laparoscopy was assessed with a mean of 1.6 on a scale from 0 to 10 (0 = no inconvenience, 10 = very unpleasant). The discomfort in the two days following laparoscopy were graded with a mean of 2.1 on a scale from 0 to 10 (0 = no inconvenience, 10 = very unpleasant). There was no difference between conventional laparoscopy and minilaparoscopy. Only 10% of the patients described laparoscopy more inconvenient in comparison to diagnostic gastroscopy, whereas 29% of the patients assessed diagnostic gastroscopy more inconvenient. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic laparoscopy under sedoanalgesia is a very well tolerated procedure. There is no difference between conventional laparoscopy and minilaparoscopy.

Abdominal Pain↗

[Comparison of gas and gasless laparoscopy in the treatment of benign ovarian tumors].

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to compare the outcomes of the gas and gasless laparoscopy in the treatment of benign ovarian tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 48 gas and gasless laparoscopic cystectomies (24 in each group) performed between 2004-2005 in Holy Family Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital in Warsaw was carried out. An ovarian tumor considered to be benign was the indication to operation. All gas laparoscopies and 25% gasless laparoscopies were performed under general anesthesia. Remaining 75% gasless laparoscopies were performed under epidural anesthesia. RESULTS: The average time of gasless laparoscopy was 53 minutes and gas laparoscopy 48 minutes. In all cases histopatologic examination during surgery was done. Those assessments revealed that all tumors had been benign. The hospitalization time in both groups lasted to 72 hours after operation. An average blood loss during the surgery, pain felt during the first 24 h after the surgery and the number of complications were similar (statistically insignificant) in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Gasless laparoscopic cystectomy is equally efficient and safe as gas laparoscopy. The lack of necessity of producing and maintaining pneumoperitoneum during the surgery was additional advantage of gasless laparoscopy in comparison to gas laparoscopy, because it was possible to perform it in epidural anesthesia.

Adult↗