M. Rhodes

Laparoscopic splenectomy: the clinical practice guidelines of the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES)

BackgroundAlthough laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) has become the standard approach for most splenectomy cases, some areas still remain controversial. To date, the indications that preclude laparoscopic splenectomy are not clearly defined. In view of this, the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) has developed clinical practice guidelines for LS.MethodsAn international expert panel was invited to appraise the current literature and to develop evidence-based recommendations. A consensus development conference using a nominal group process convened in May 2007. Its recommendations were presented at the annual EAES congress in Athens, Greece, on 5 July 2007 for discussion and further input. After a further Delphi process between the experts, the final recommendations were agreed upon.ResultsLaparoscopic splenectomy is indicated for most benign and malignant hematologic diseases independently of the patient’s age and body weight. Preoperative investigation is recommended for obtaining information on spleen size and volume as well as the presence of accessory splenic tissue. Preoperative vaccination against meningococcal, pneumococcal, and Haemophilus influenzae type B infections is recommended in elective cases. Perioperative anticoagulant prophylaxis with subcutaneous heparin should be administered to all patients and prolonged anticoagulant prophylaxis to high-risk patients. The choice of approach (supine [anterior], semilateral or lateral) is left to the surgeon’s preference and concomitant conditions. In cases of massive splenomegaly, the hand-assisted technique should be considered to avoid conversion to open surgery and to reduce complication rates. The expert panel still considered portal hypertension and major medical comorbidities as contraindications to LS.ConclusionDespite a lack of level 1 evidence, LS is a safe and advantageous procedure in experienced hands that has displaced open surgery for almost all indications. To support the clinical evidence, further randomized controlled trials on different issues are mandatory.

Randomized clinical trial of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication compared with proton-pump inhibitors for treatment of chronic gastro-oesophageal reflux†

Both laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) and proton‐pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy are established in the treatment of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). The aim of this study was to compare these two treatments in a randomized clinical trial.

Prospective randomized trial of laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy versus duodenal stenting for malignant gastric outflow obstruction

BackgroundWe prospectively compared laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy with duodenal stenting as a means of palliating malignant gastric outflow obstruction.MethodsA total of 27 patients with malignant gastric outflow obstruction were randomized to either laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy (LGJ) or duodenal stenting (DS) over a 3-year period.ResultsThirteen patients underwent successful LGJ and 10 had successful DS. Eight patients had complications after LGJ, but none had complications after DS. Patients who underwent LGJ had a significant increase in visual analog pain score at day 1 (p = 0.05), and also had a longer hospital stay compared to those who underwent DS (11.4 vs. 5.2 days, p = 0.02). After DS, patients experienced an improvement in physical health at 1 month as measured using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire (p < 0.01). There was no change following LGJ.ConclusionDuodenal stenting is a safe means of palliating malignant gastric outflow obstruction. It offers significant advantages for patients compared with minimal-access surgery.

The Effect of Intraperitoneal Local Anesthesia in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Intraperitoneal administration of local anesthesia is often used to improve pain relief after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We have conducted a meta-analysis to establish the efficacy of this technique in reducing early postoperative abdominal pain. A systematic literature search revealed 24 randomized, controlled trials assessing intraperitoneal local anesthetic use in laparoscopic cholecystectomy that met inclusion criteria. Of these, 16 studies reported sufficient data to allow pooled quantitative analysis. The weighted mean differences (WMD) in visual analog pain score at 4 h after surgery were pooled using a random effects model. Overall, the use of intraperitoneal local anesthesia resulted in a significantly reduced pain score at 4 h (WMD, −9 mm; 95% confidence interval [CI], −13 to −5). Subgroup analysis suggested that the effect was greater when the local anesthetic was given at the start of the operation (WMD, −13 mm; 95% CI, −19 to −7) compared with instillation at the end (WMD, −6 mm; 95% CI, −10 to −2). No adverse events related to local anesthetic toxicity were reported. We conclude that the use of intraperitoneal local anesthesia is safe, and it results in a statistically significant reduction in early postoperative abdominal pain.

Prospective trial of laparoscopic nissen fundoplication versus proton pump inhibitor therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease: Seven-year follow-up.

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy are both established treatments for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We have performed a prospective randomized study comparing these two treatments and now have long-term follow-up data. Between July 1997 and August 2001, 183 patients in Norwich took part in a randomized controlled trial comparing laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and PPI therapy for the treatment of GERD. In October 2005, patients were followed up and asked to complete a reflux symptom questionnaire. Ninety-one patients were randomized to have surgery and 92 to have optimized PPI therapy. After 12 months, those who had been randomized to PPI were offered the opportunity to have surgery. Fifty-four patients went on to have antireflux surgery; the remaining 38 did not. In all three groups, there was a significant improvement in symptom score after the initial 12 months (P<0.01; Mann-Whitney U test). However, those who later had surgery despite having had optimal PPI treatment beforehand experienced further symptomatic improvement (P<0.01) at long-term follow-up (median 6.9 years, range, 4.3–8.3). Both optimal PPI therapy and laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication are effective treatments for GERD. However, surgery offers additional benefit for those who have only partial symptomatic relief whilst on PPIs.

Attendance at a pain clinic with severe chronic pain after open and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repairs

The aim was to compare the frequency of severe chronic pain that required attendance at a pain clinic after open and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repairs.

Prospective randomized trial of laparoscopic (transabdominal preperitoneal) vs open (mesh) repair for bilateral and recurrent inguinal hernia

Background: Laparoscopic hernia repair excites controversy because its benefits are debatable and critics claim it is attended by serious complications. The one group of patients in whom benefits may outweigh the perceived disadvantages are those with bilateral or recurrent inguinal hernias. Method: One hundred twenty patients with bilateral or recurrent hernias were randomized to either laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) or open mesh repair. Patients completed a well-being questionnaire prior to and following surgery together with a visual analog pain score. Patients were followed up clinically at 1 and 3 months and thereafter by their general practitioner. Results: Age and sex distribution was similar in the two groups. Laparoscopic TAPP hernia was quicker (40 vs 55 min; p < 0.001), less painful (visual analog pain score, 2.8 vs 4.3; p = 0.003) and allowed earlier return to work (11 vs 42 days; p < 0.001) compared to open mesh repair. Conclusion: This trial demonstrates that laparoscopic hernia repair via the TAPP route offers significant benefit to patients undergoing bilateral or recurrent inguinal hernia repair.

Comparison of laparoscopic and open pyeloplasty in 100 patients with pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction

BackgroundThis study aimed to determine whether the morbidity and outcome rates for laparoscopic transperitoneal dismembered pyeloplasty are different from those for dismembered pyeloplasty, to analyze the learning curve of laparoscopic pyeloplasty, and to determine whether preoperative stent placement affects outcome.MethodsFor this study, 49 laparoscopic pyeloplasties (period 2000–2005) and 51 open pyeloplasties (period 1992–2003) were reviewed.ResultsCompared with open procedures, laparoscopic procedures were associated with a longer mean operating time (159 vs 91 min; p < 0.001), a shorter mean time to normal diet (38 vs 72 h; p < 0.001), and a similar mean hospital stay (5 days; p = 0.6). The operative complication rates were 17% for primary laparoscopic pyeloplasties and 24% for primary open pyeloplasties. The rates were higher for secondary procedures. The success rates for primary and secondary procedures were, respectively, 98% (41/42) and 57% (4/7) for laparoscopy and 96% (46/48) and 67% (2/3) for open surgery. Failed procedures showed no improvement in loin pain or obstruction. At the 6-month follow-up evaluation, 29% of the open surgery patients but none of the laparoscopic surgery patients reported wound pain.ConclusionsThe efficacy of laparoscopic pyeloplasty is equivalent to that of open pyeloplasty, with less wound pain at 6 months. The outcome for secondary procedures is inferior. There was a trend toward a reduction in complications and the conversion rates with time, suggesting that there may be a learning curve of approximately 30 laparoscopic pyeloplasty cases. Preoperative stent insertion did not seem to affect any objective measures of outcome for laparoscopic pyeloplasty.

Review of outcome after laparoscopic paraesophageal hiatal hernia repair.

Many studies have confirmed the effectiveness of laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair, but there are reports of high recurrence rates after surgery. We have conducted a review of the literature to determine whether it is a safe and durable procedure. A literature search was performed to identify all papers relevant to laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair. Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. In total, 1415 patients underwent attempted repair (mean age 65.7u2009y) of which 94% underwent an antireflux procedure. There were 70 (5.3%) episodes of operative morbidity and 173 (12.7%) patients experienced postoperative complications. In 10 studies, radiologic follow-up was offered after a mean of 16.5 months. Of those undergoing contrast swallow 26.9% had evidence of anatomic recurrence. In conclusion, recurrence rates after laparoscopic repair seem to be high compared with earlier studies of open repair. The long-term consequences of anatomic recurrence are currently uncertain.

Assessment of cosmetic outcome after laparoscopic cholecystectomy among women 4 years after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: is there a problem?

BackgroundAdvocates of single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SPLC) claim that improved cosmetic outcome is one of its main benefits over conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC). However, the published data quantifying the cosmetic outcome after CLC is sparse. This study aimed to determine the cosmetic outcome after CLC using a validated scar assessment tool.MethodsThe patient scar assessment questionnaire was sent to all women ages 20–50xa0years who had undergone CLC at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (Norwich), the Homerton Hospital (London), and the Musgrove Park Hospital (Taunton) in 2005 (nxa0=xa0380). In all cases, the operation had been performed using a four-port technique. The patients were asked to give scores related to the appearance and symptoms associated with the scars at the time the questionnaire was completed.ResultsOf the 380 patients, 195 responded to the questionnaire, giving a response rate of 51%. The median age of the responders was 39xa0years, and 63 (32%) of them had undergone previous surgery. The mean score for each section was low, indicating a favorable cosmetic outcome. This correlated with the global question answered with “excellent” for 4 of 5 categories and “good” for the remaining category. Nine patients highlighted dissatisfaction with the umbilical incision.ConclusionsPatients perceive the cosmetic results after CLC as excellent. Therefore, SPLC seems to have a limited role in terms of improving cosmesis for patients undergoing cholecystectomy. Anecdotal evidence from the questionnaire suggests that the umbilical port may be the site of problems for some patients. Further investigation is needed to determine whether this is significant, especially because it may be exaggerated after SPLC.