Redo laparoscopic surgery for achalasia.

BACKGROUND: Operative treatment of achalasia can fail in 10% to 15% of patients. No information is available on the outcome of laparoscopic reoperation for achalasia. METHODS: Data from patients undergoing redo surgery for achalasia were prospectively collected. The data were analyzed, and a questionnaire was sent to all the patients. RESULTS: Eight patients underwent redo procedures at our institution between 1994 and 1998. The reasons for failure of the initial operations were incomplete myotomy (n = 5), incorrect diagnosis (n = 2), and new onset of reflux symptoms (n = 1). All the redo procedures were performed laparoscopically. All the patients except one had excellent or good results. The average symptom severity score for dysphagia, regurgitation, chest pain, cough, and heartburn all improved after redo procedures. The average quality of life score improved from poor to good. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic reoperation for achalasia is safe and feasible. It results in symptom improvement for most patients. Surgeon experience and recognition of the cause for failure of the original operation are most important in predicting the outcome.

Laparoscopic repair of traumatic perforation of the urinary bladder.

Laparoscopy as a diagnostic modality in trauma has been reported. However, therapeutic laparoscopy for trauma remains a controversial subject. We present a case of laparoscopic repair of a traumatic bladder rupture. A 25-year-old man was brought to the emergency room after a head-on collision. Physical examination was unremarkable with the exception of gross hematuria upon insertion of a urinary catheter. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen demonstrated a small amount of free intraperitoneal fluid. An anteroposterior cystogram was obtained which showed no intraperitoneal or extraperitoneal leak. Repeat examinations of the abdomen revealed a mild tenderness in the lower abdomen. Because of the presence of unexplained free intraperitoneal fluid and equivocal signs of peritoneal irritation, exploratory laparoscopy was performed. Three 5-mm ports and a 5-mm laparoscope were used. Laparoscopic examination of the abdomen revealed a 4-cm rupture at the dome of the bladder. The laceration was sutured in two layers using an intracorporeal technique. The patient was discharged on the second postoperative day with indwelling urinary catheter. Eight days after the operation, a repeated cystogram revealed no evidence of leak. We believe that laparoscopic exploration for trauma in hemodynamically stable patients is feasible. The repair of simple intraabdominal injuries such as bladder rupture can be safely performed.

Surgeons and infectious disease specialists: different attitudes towards antibiotic treatment and prophylaxis in common abdominal surgical infections.

BACKGROUND: The role of medical infectious disease (ID) specialists in the treatment of surgical infections is increasing but no information is available regarding the therapeutic perception held by these non-surgeons treating surgical infections. The purpose of this study was to assess the attitude of the ID specialists towards antibiotic treatment and prophylaxis of common abdominal surgical infections and to compare it with that of surgeons "interested" in this field. METHODS: A questionnaire, polling opinions regarding the management of common surgical infections, was sent to 396 medical ID specialists (New York State) and 515 surgeon members of the Surgical Infection Society (SIS). The questions covered areas involving choice of antibiotics, and timing and duration of treatment in given clinical scenarios, including elective and emergent colorectal surgery, perforated peptic ulcer, and appendicitis. RESULTS: Response rates for the medical and surgical groups were 10.1% and 15.6%, respectively. Regarding prophylactic use of antimicrobials, the pattern of administration was similar for the two groups. Regarding therapeutic use, on average medical ID specialists used antibiotics twice as long as the surgical group. The main reason identified was the failure of medical ID specialists to understand the conceptual difference between contamination and infection. CONCLUSIONS: Medical ID specialists may overtreat common surgical infections with antibiotics. Surgical infections should be treated by surgeons.

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.