Leonardo Villegas

Is routine cholecystectomy required during laparoscopic gastric bypass

Background: Routine cholecystectomy is often performed at the time of gastric bypass for morbid obesity. The aim of our study was to determine the incidence of gallstone formation requiring cholecystectomy following a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP). Methods: 289 LRYGBP were performed between November 1999 and May 2002. 60 patients (21%) who had prior cholecystectomy were excluded. If gallstones were identified by intra-operative ultrasound (IOUS), simultaneous cholecystectomy was performed. Patients without gallstones were prescribed ursodiol for 6 months and scheduled for follow-up with transabdominal ultrasound. Results: During LRYGBP, gallstones were detected in 40 patients using IOUS (14%) and simultaneous cholecystectomy was performed. Of 189 patients with no stones identified by IOUS, 151 patients (80%) had a postoperative ultrasound after 6 months. 39 patients developed gallstones (22%) and 12 developed sludge (8%), as demonstrated by ultrasound at the time of follow-up. 11 patients had gallstone-related symptoms and subsequently underwent cholecystectomy (7%). 106 patients (70%) were gallstone-free at the time of ultrasound follow-up. Ursodiol compliance was found to be significantly lower for patients developing stones than for gallstone-free patients (38.9% vs 58.3%, z =-2.00, P = 0.045). Conclusions: There is a low incidence of symptomatic gallstones requiring cholecystectomy after LRYGBP. Prophylactic ursodiol is protective. Routine IOUS and selective cholecystectomy with close patient follow-up is a rational approach in the era of laparoscopy.

Intraoperative ultrasound and prophylactic ursodiol for gallstone prevention following laparoscopic gastric bypass

Background: Previous studies have shown that ursodiol decreases gallstone formation from 32% to 2% following open gastric bypass, but no data exist on laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) using intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) screening. Methods: LRYGB with IOUS were performed on 195 consecutive patients. Patients with gallstones underwent simultaneous cholecystectomy, and patients without gallstones were prescribed ursodiol, 300 mg twice daily, for 6 month. Follow-up survey and ultrasound. Results: Of 195 patients, 44 (23%) had had a prior cholecystectomy, 21 (11%) underwent a simultaneous cholecystectomy, 129 (66%) had gallbladders left intact, and one (0.5%) false negative IOUS was excluded. Of 69 patients with ultrasound and survey follow-up (mean, 10 months), 19 (28%) developed gallstones seven with symptoms), and 50 (72%) were gallstone free. Forty-one percent of patients were compliant with ursodiol. There was no difference in compliance between patients with and without gallstones. In patients with gallstones, all of the symptomatic patients were noncompliant, whereas none of the compliant patients developed symptoms. Medication side-effects occurred in 17 of 69 patients (25%). Conclusions: IOUS during LRYGB efficiently screens for gallstones, and selective cholecystectomy followed by prophylactic ursodiol results in low morbidity. Improvements in compliance may lower the incidence of postoperative gallstone formation.

Laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal versus Lichtenstein herniorrhaphy: cost comparison at teaching hospitals.

Laparoscopic hernia repair is safe and effective and may result in less postoperative pain and faster recuperation compared with traditional open hernia repairs. Controversy exists as to the increased cost associated with laparoscopic repairs. The purpose of this study was to quantify and compare the cost of the totally extraperitoneal (TEP) laparoscopic repair and the tension-free Lichtenstein repair at teaching hospitals. The records of consecutive TEP (n = 28) and Lichtenstein (n = 28) repairs performed at Parkland Memorial Hospital and Zale-Lipshy University Hospital were reviewed. A detailed cost analysis was performed. Total patient charge (

Laparoscopic Heller myotomy with bolstering partial posterior fundoplication for achalasia.

5,509 vs.

Laparoscopic choledochojejunostomy via PTFE-covered stent successfully achieves internal drainage of common bile duct obstruction

3,999) and total cost (

Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery: Outcomes

2,861 vs.

Basic Ultrasound Curriculum for Medical Students: Validation of Content and Phantom

2,009) were higher for TEP versus Lichtenstein repairs, respectively (P < 0.05). Operative time and complications were similar for both groups. Return to full activity (15 vs. 34 days) was faster for TEP versus Lichtenstein repairs, respectively (P < 0.05). Of 9 patients in the TEP group who had previously undergone an open hernia repair, 8 (89%) preferred the laparoscopic approach. The laparoscopic TEP repair costs

Heated and Humidified Insufflation During Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery: Effect on Temperature, Postoperative Pain, and Recovery Outcomes

852 more than the Lichtenstein repair. The TEP repair results in faster recuperation. Patient preference and faster recuperation may offset the increased cost associated with laparoscopic hernia repair.

Laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal versus Lichtenstein hemiorrhaphy

BACKGROUND The ideal antireflux procedure following laparoscopic Heller myotomy for achalasia is controversial. We present a novel laparoscopic technique of partial posterior fundoplication to bolster the myotomy. METHODS Between August 1998 and March 2002, eight patients (five females and three males; median age, 40 years) underwent a laparoscopic Heller myotomy with bolstering partial posterior fundoplication. Results of barium swallow and manometry studies were consistent with achalasia. Failed medical treatments included balloon dilation, botulinum injection, and calcium channel blockers. RESULTS The preoperative weight loss was 33 lb (range, 10-50) with a mean duration of symptoms of 29 months (range, 12-72). Seventy-one percent of the patients had reflux. Myotomy was confirmed with endoscopic guidance. Partial posterior fundoplication was performed with the edges of the myotomy on the right and left sides sutured to the stomach, which covered the myotomy. No conversion was required. In one patient, a perforation was recognized, repaired, and bolstered. The mean operative blood loss was 72 mL (range, 30-150). The mean operative time was 4 hours. Patients resumed solids at 2.5 days (range, 2-5). Postoperative complications included subcutaneous emphysema (n = 1), pneumothorax (n = 1), and umbilical port hernia (n = 1). None of the patients had reflux symptoms at 3 to 18 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION Laparoscopic Heller myotomy with partial posterior fundoplication is technically feasible and effectively prevents reflux symptoms. Bolstering the myotomy may help heal small esophageal perforations.

Laparoscopic bariatric surgery in the Elderly

The purpose of this study was to develop a method of laparoscopic biliary bypass utilizing a PTFE-covered biliary stent. An animal model of common bile duct obstruction was developed. Three days before the planned choledochojejunostomy, the common duct in 10 female pigs was ligated using mini-laparoscopy instrumentation (2 mm) to create an obstruction model. A laparoscopic choledochojejunostomy was then performed using intracorporal suturing (n=5) or stented (n=5) techniques. In the sutured group, a side-to-side two-layer anastomosis was performed. In the stented group, a Seldinger technique was used to deliver the stent into the abdomen through the small bowel and into the anterior wall of the common bile duct for deployment across both the duct and bowel to create an anastomosis (under fluoroscopic guidance). After the surgery, the animals were followed for 7 days, and then sacrificed to examine the anastomosis grossly and histologically. Statistical analysis was used to compare the two groups. Although the difference was not statistically significant, the mean anastomosis time in minutes was shorter for the stented group (37.8; range 15-74 minutes) than in the sutured group (52.8; range 28-70 minutes). All animals survived for 7 days after the procedure with no detectable biliary leaks or biliary obstruction at autopsy. These gross findings were confirmed by pathologic examination of the anastomoses. Laparoscopic choledochojejunostomy using a PTFE-covered metallic biliary stent can be performed to relieve common bile duct obstruction. In addition, the stent method was as safe and effective as sutured laparoscopic choledochojejunostomy.