Chet W. Hammill

Randomized controlled trial comparing single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy and four-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Objective:To compare short-term surgical outcomes and quality of life (QOL) between single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SPLC) and classic 4-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC). Background:There is significant interest in further reducing the trauma associated with surgical procedures. Although a number of observational studies have suggested that SPLC is a feasible alternative to CLC, there is a lack of data from randomized studies validating any benefit over CLC. Methods:Eligible patients were randomized to receive SPLC or CLC. Operative and perioperative outcomes, including cosmesis and QOL were analyzed. Results:Forty-three patients were randomized to SPLC (n = 21) or CLC (n = 22). There were no significant differences between groups for most preoperative demographics, American Society of Anesthesiology score, gallstone characteristics, local inflammation, blood loss, or length of stay. Patients undergoing SPLC were older than those receiving CLC (57.3 years vs. 45.8 years, P < 0.05). Operative times for SPLC were greater than CLC (88.5 minutes vs. 44.8 minutes, P < 0.05). Overall and cosmetic satisfaction, QOL as determined by the SF-36 survey, postoperative complications, and post-operative pain scores between discharge and 2-week postoperative visit were not significantly different between groups. Wound infection rates were similar in both groups. The SPLC group contained 1 retained bile duct stone, 1-port site hernia, and 1 postoperative port site hemorrhage. Conclusions:SPLC procedure time was longer and incurred more complications than CLC without significant benefits in patient satisfaction, postoperative pain and QOL. SPLC may be offered in carefully selected patients. Larger randomized trials performed later in the learning curve with SPLC may identify more subtle advantages of one method over another.

Complications nearly double the cost of care after pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND Despite considerable data focused on the morbidity of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), the financial impact of complications has been infrequently analyzed. This study evaluates the impact of the most common complications associated with PD on the cost of care. Additionally, we identified cost centers that were significantly affected by complications. METHODS A retrospective analysis of a prospective database in a network of community-based teaching hospitals was performed. All patients (n = 145) who underwent PD were included for years 2005 to 2009. Of these, 144 had complete in-hospital cost data. Complications were assessed and classified into major and minor categories according to Dindo et al. Forty-nine cost centers were analyzed for their association with the cost of complications. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed. Significance was reported for P < .05. RESULTS The median cost for PD was

Neoadjuvant radiation therapy and its impact on complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer: analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP)

30,937. Patients with major complications had significantly higher median cost compared with those without (

Umbilical Hernia Repair in Patients With Signs of Portal Hypertension: Surgical Outcome and Predictors of Mortality

56,224 vs

Impact of lymph node status in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treated by major hepatectomy: a review of the National Cancer Database

29,038; P < .001). Independent predictors of increased cost included reoperation; sepsis; pancreatic fistula; bile leak; delayed gastric emptying; and pulmonary, renal, and thromboembolic complications. Cost center analysis showed significant added charges for patients with major complications for blood bank (

Laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation for the management of colorectal liver metastases: 10-year experience.

1,018), clinical laboratory (

Evaluation of a minimally invasive image-guided surgery system for hepatic ablation procedures.

3,731), a computed tomography scan (

Surgical management of breast cancer liver metastases

4,742), diagnostic imaging (

Circulating and intratumoral macrophages in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: correlation with therapeutic approach

697), intensive care unit (

Multimodal treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma to achieve complete response results in improved survival

4,986), pharmacy (