Economic costs associated with an MS relapse.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) commonly affects young adults and can be associated with significant disability resulting in considerable socioeconomic burden for both patient and society. AIMS: The aim was to determine the direct and indirect cost of an MS relapse. METHODS: This was a prospective audit composed of medical chart review and patient questionnaire. Relapses were stratified into 3 groups: low, moderate and high intensity. Age, gender, MS subtype, disease duration, expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score, disease modifying therapy (DMT) use and employment status were recorded. Direct costs included GP visits, investigations, clinic visit, consultations with medical staff, medication and admission costs. Indirect costs assessed loss of earnings, partner׳s loss of earnings, childcare, meals and travel costs. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients had a clinically confirmed relapse. Thirteen were of low intensity; 23 moderate intensity and 17 high intensity with mean costs of €503, €1395 and €8862, respectively. Those with high intensity episodes tended to be older with higher baseline EDSS (p<0.003) and change in EDSS (p<0.002). Direct costs were consistent in both low and moderate intensity groups but varied with length of hospital stay in the high intensity group. Loss of earnings was the biggest contributor to indirect costs. A decision to change therapy as a result of the relapse was made in 23% of cases, further adding to annual MS related costs. CONCLUSIONS: The cost of an MS relapse is dependent on severity of the episode but even low intensity episodes can have a significant financial impact for the patient in terms of loss of earnings and for society with higher annual MS related costs.

A proposed modification to the McDonald 2010 criteria for the diagnosis of primary progressive multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic criteria for primary-progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) have undergone revision over the last 20 years. Cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal bands (CSFOBs) have received less emphasis in recent revisions of the McDonald criteria. The aim of this study was to examine the sensitivity of the diagnostic criteria for PPMS with particular reference to spinal cord criteria and examine the utility of CSFOBs in a cohort of PPMS patients. METHODS: All new PPMS diagnoses between 1990 and 2011 were identified. Baseline clinical details and paraclinical evaluations including MRI of the brain, spinal cord, CSF and visually evoked responses (VERs) were assessed. The proportion of patients who met the requirements for diagnosis of PPMS on the basis of Thompson's and the McDonald Criteria (2001, 2005, 2010) were determined. RESULTS: There were 88/95 PPMS patients who had at least two diagnostic investigations. The sensitivity of Thompson's and the McDonald 2001 criteria was 64%; the McDonald 2010 revisions gave the highest sensitivity (77%); the McDonald 2005 criteria had intermediate sensitivity (74%). The combination of CSFOBs and MRI of the brain yielded the greatest number of patients demonstrating dissemination in space (DIS) on only two investigations. VERs did not aid diagnosis. Reducing requirements for the number of spinal cord lesions (symptomatic or not) to one increased diagnostic sensitivity to 84%. CONCLUSION: An alternative criterion requiring two of: i) MRI of the brain with one or more lesions in two of three regions typical for demyelination; ii) the presence of one T2-weighted spinal cord plaque (typical for demyelination); iii) CSFOBs; would increase the diagnostic sensitivity for PPMS.

The case of the forgotten toothbrush.

INTRODUCTION: Although foreign body ingestion is relatively common, toothbrush swallowing is rare. A diagnosis of small-bowel perforation, caused by a sharp or pointed foreign body, is rarely made preoperatively because the clinical symptoms are usually nonspecific and can mimic other surgical conditions, such as appendicitis and diverticulitis. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a case of a swallowed toothbrush which passed past the pylorus and perforated the terminal ileum. The patient however presented with a fluctuant mass in the left iliac fossa, pyrexia and generalised tenderness mimicking a diverticular abscess. DISCUSSION: Ingestion of a foreign body is commonly encountered in the clinic among children, adults with intellectual impairment, psychiatric illness or alcoholism, and dental prosthetic-wearing elderly subjects. However, toothbrush swallowing is rare, with only approximately 40 reported cases. CONCLUSION: Bowel perforation by foreign bodies can mimic acute appendicitis and should be considered in differential diagnoses. Clinically, patients often do not recall ingesting the foreign body, which makes the clinical diagnosis more challenging, and a correct diagnosis is frequently delayed. Several radiological investigations, such as small-bowel series, ultrasonography, and computed tomography scans, may lead to the correct diagnosis, but in most patients, the diagnosis is not confirmed until the surgical intervention has been performed.

Impact of deprivation on short- and long-term outcomes after colorectal cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to determine the association between short- and long-term outcomes and deprivation for patients undergoing operative treatment for colorectal cancer in the Northern Region of England. METHODS: This was a retrospective analytical study based on the Northern Region Colorectal Cancer Audit Group database for the period 1998-2002. The Index of Multiple Deprivation 2004, an area-based measure, was recalibrated and used to quantify deprivation. Patients were ranked based on their postcode of residence and grouped into five categories. RESULTS: Of 8159 patients in total, 7352 (90·1 per cent) had surgery; 6953 (94·6 per cent) of the 7352 patients underwent tumour resection and 4935 (67·7 per cent) of 7294 had a margin-negative (R0) resection. Deprivation was not associated with age, sex, tumour site, stage or other tumour-related factors. Compared with the most affluent group, the most deprived patients had fewer elective operations (72·9 versus 76·4 per cent; P = 0·014), more adverse co-morbidity (P < 0·001) and fewer curative resections (65·5 versus 71·2 per cent; P < 0·001). In multivariable analysis, deprivation was not an independent predictor of postoperative death (odds ratio (OR) 0·72, 95 per cent confidence interval 0·48 to 1·06; P = 0·101) but it was a predictor of curative resection (OR 1·24, 1·01 to 1·52; P = 0·042), overall survival (HR 0·83, 0·73 to 0·95; P = 0·006) and relative survival (HR 0·74, 0·58 to 0·95; P = 0·023). CONCLUSION: Deprivation, both independently and by influencing other surgical predictors, impacts on short- and long-term outcomes of patients with colorectal cancer.

Multiple sclerosis, from referral to confirmed diagnosis: an audit of clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines recommend a timeline of 6 weeks from referral to neurology consultation and then 6 weeks to a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). OBJECTIVES: We audited the clinical management of all new outpatient referrals diagnosed with MS between January 2007 and May 2010. METHODS: We analysed the timelines from referral to first clinic visit, to MRI studies and lumbar puncture (LP) (if performed) and the overall interval from first visit to the time the diagnosis was given to the patient. RESULTS: Of the 119 diagnoses of MS/Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS), 93 (78%) were seen within 6 weeks of referral. MRI was performed before first visit in 61% and within 6 weeks in a further 27%. A lumbar puncture (LP) was performed in 83% of all patients and was done within 6 weeks in 78%. In total, 63 (53%) patients received their final diagnosis within 6 weeks of their first clinic visit, with 57 (48%) patients having their diagnosis delayed. The main rate-limiting steps were the availability of imaging and LP, and administrative issues. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that, even with careful scheduling, it is difficult for a specialist service to obtain MRI scans and LP results so as to fulfil NICE guidelines within the optimal six-week period. An improved service would require MRI scans to be arranged before the first clinic visit in all patients with suspected MS.

Effect of the circumferential resection margin on survival following rectal cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to determine the effect of the circumferential resection margin (CRM) on overall survival following surgical excision of rectal cancer. METHODS: The effect of CRM on survival was examined by case mix-adjusted analysis of patients undergoing potentially curative excision of a rectal cancer between 1998 and 2002. RESULTS: Of 1896 patients, 1561 (82.3 per cent) had recorded data on the CRM. In 232 patients (14.9 per cent) tumour was found 1 mm or less from the CRM. In 370 patients (23.7 per cent) it was over 1 mm but no more than 5 mm from the CRM, and in 288 (18.4 per cent) it was over 5 mm but no more than 10 mm from the CRM. The remaining 671 patients (43.0 per cent) had a CRM exceeding 10 mm. Overall 5-year survival rates for these groups were 43.2, 51.7, 66.6 and 66.0 per cent respectively. Compared with patients with a CRM exceeding 10 mm, the adjusted risk of death was significantly increased for patients with a CRM of 1 mm or less (hazard ratio (HR) 1.61, P < 0.001) and those with a margin greater than 1 mm but no larger than 5 mm (HR 1.35, P = 0.005). There was no added risk for patients with tumour more than 5 mm but 10 mm or less from the CRM (HR 1.02, P = 0.873). The adverse effect of a CRM greater than 1 mm but no larger than 5 mm was found particularly in mid-rectal cancers. CONCLUSION: A predicted CRM of 5 mm or less on preoperative staging should be considered for neoadjuvant treatment.

Volume-outcome analysis of colorectal cancer-related outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Significant associations between caseload and surgical outcomes highlight the conflict between local cancer care and the need for centralization. This study examined the effect of hospital volume on short-term outcomes and survival, adjusting for the effect of surgeon caseload. METHODS: Between 1998 and 2002, 8219 patients with colorectal cancer were identified in a regional population-based audit. Outcomes were assessed using univariable and multivariable analysis to allow case mix adjustment. Surgeons were categorized as low (26 or fewer operations annually), medium (27-40) or high (more than 40) volume. Hospitals were categorized as low (86 or fewer), medium (87-109) or high (more than 109) volume. RESULTS: Some 7411 (90.2 per cent) of 8219 patients underwent surgery with an anastomotic leak rate of 2.9 per cent (162 of 5581), perioperative mortality rate of 8.0 per cent (591 of 7411) and 5-year survival rate of 46.8 per cent. Medium- and high-volume surgeons were associated with significantly better operative mortality (odds ratio (OR) 0.74, P = 0.010 and OR 0.66, P = 0.002 respectively) and survival (hazard ratio (HR) 0.88, P = 0.003 and HR 0.93, P = 0.090 respectively) than low-volume surgeons. Rectal cancer survival was significantly better in high-volume versus low-volume hospitals (HR 0.85, P = 0.036), with no difference between medium- and low-volume hospitals (HR 0.96, P = 0.505). CONCLUSION: This study has confirmed the relevance of minimum volume standards for individual surgeons. Organization of services in high-volume units may improve survival in patients with rectal cancer.

Cell kinetics and gene expression changes in colorectal cancer patients given resistant starch: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of oral supplementation of resistant starch (RS) on tumour cell and colonic mucosal cell kinetics and on gene expression in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), and its potential role in colon cancer prevention. METHODS: 65 patients with CRC were randomised to treatment with RS or ordinary starch (OS) and were given starch treatment for up to 4 weeks. Pretreatment and post-treatment biopsies were obtained from the tumour and colonic mucosa, and the effects of the starch treatment on cell proliferation and expression of the cell cycle regulatory genes CDK4 (cyclin-dependent kinase 4) and GADD45A (growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible, alpha) were investigated. RESULTS: The proportion of mitotic cells in the top half of the colonic crypt was significantly lower following RS treatment (3.1 (1.5), mean (SEM)) as compared with OS treatment (13.7 (3.2)) (p = 0.028). However, there was no effect of RS treatment on crypt dimensions and tumour cell proliferation index. There was significant upregulation in expression of CDK4 (p<0.01) and downregulation in expression of GADD45A (p<0.001) in the tumour tissue when compared with macroscopically normal mucosa. Following RS treatment, CDK4 expression in tumours (0.88 (0.15)) was twofold higher than that in the OS group (0.37 (0.16)) (p = 0.02). The expression of GADD45A, which was downregulated in the presence of cancer, was significantly upregulated (p = 0.048) following RS treatment (1.41 (0.26)) as compared with OS treatment (0.56 (0.3)). However, there were no significant differences in the expression of these genes in the normal mucosa following starch treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Cell proliferation in the upper part of colonic crypts is a premalignant marker and its reduction by RS supplementation is consistent with an antineoplastic action of this food component. Differential expression of the key cell cycle regulatory genes may contribute to the molecular mechanisms underlying these antineoplastic effects of RS.

Complications of loop ileostomy closure: a retrospective cohort analysis of 123 patients.

BACKGROUND: Loop ileostomies are often formed in order to defunction distal anastomoses. The aim of this study was to review the complications following closure of loop ileostomies. METHODS: This is a retrospective case note analysis of all loop ileostomy closures performed in the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust (population over 500,000) over a 5-year period between 2001 and 2005. RESULTS: A total of 123 case records were reviewed. Complications occurred in 41 patients (33.3%), with 9 patients (7.3%) requiring further intervention. There were 4 (3.3%) postoperative deaths. Complications were more common in patients with increased comorbidity (p = 0.0007) and postoperative death was more frequent among the elderly (p = 0.0006). Postoperative death was more common in those patients who had their stomas created during surgery (elective or emergency) for diverticular disease (3 patients, p = 0.006). Patients with diverticular disease had significantly higher comorbidity and peritoneal contamination at the time of primary surgery. Ileostomy reversal after anterior resection for cancer was associated with a lower complication rate than the rest of the cohort (26%, p = 0.0003) but there was no significant difference in mortality. Neither the grade of the surgeon, the case volume, or the anastomotic technique affected postoperative morbidity. Reoperation was more common in patients whose closure procedure took less time (p = 0.002) and in those who had a shorter wait from creation to reversal of the stoma (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Reversal of loop ileostomy may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Increasing the delay from creation to closure may result in fewer complications.There is an increased risk in older patients with more comorbidity, particularly when the primary procedure is for diverticular disease with significant peritoneal contamination.

Involvement of surgical trainees in surgery for colorectal cancer and their effect on outcome.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical training in the UK is undergoing substantial changes. This study assessed: 1) the training opportunities available to trainees in operations for colorectal cancer, 2) the effect of colorectal specialization on training, and 3) the effect of consultant supervision on anastomotic complications, postoperative stay, operative mortality and 5-year survival. METHOD: Unadjusted and adjusted comparisons of outcomes were made for unsupervised trainees, supervised trainees and consultants as the primary surgeon in 7411 operated patients included in the Northern Region Colorectal Cancer Audit between 1998 and 2002. RESULTS: Surgery was performed in 656 (8.8%) patients by unsupervised trainees and in 1578 (21.3%) patients by supervised trainees. Unsupervised operations reduced from 182 (12.4%) in 1998 to 82 (6.1%) in 2002 (P < 0.001). Consultants with a colorectal specialist interest were more likely than nonspecialists to be present at surgical resections (OR 1.35, 1.12-1.63, P = 0.001) and to provide supervised training (OR 1.34, 1.17-1.53, P < 0.001). Patients operated on by unsupervised trainees were more often high-risk patients, however, consultant presence was not significantly associated with operative mortality (OR 0.83, 0.63-1.09, P = 0.186) or survival (HR 1.02, 0.92-1.13, P = 0.735) in risk-adjusted analysis. Supervised trainees had a case-mix similar to consultants, with shorter length of hospital stay (11.4 vs 12.4 days, P < 0.001), but similar mortality (OR 0.90, 0.71-1.16, 0.418) and survival (HR 0.96, 0.89-1.05, P = 0.378). CONCLUSION: One third of patients were operated on by trainees, who were more likely to perform supervised resections in colorectal teams. There was no difference in anastomotic leaks rates, operative mortality or survival between unsupervised trainees, supervised trainees and consultants when case-mix adjustment was applied. This study would suggest that there is considerable underused training capacity available.

The predictive value of p53 and p33(ING1b) in patients with Dukes'C colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Identification of biological markers that may predict response to chemotherapy would allow the individualization of treatment by enabling selection of patients most likely to benefit from chemotherapy. The aims of this study were to determine whether p53 mutation status and p53 and p33(ING1b) protein expression can predict which patients with Dukes' C colorectal cancer following curative surgical resection respond to adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). METHOD: Patients with Dukes'C colorectal cancer (n = 41) were studied. DNA was extracted and analysed for p53 mutation using PCR-based direct DNA sequencing. Tumours were analysed for p53 protein expression by immunohistochemistry using DO-7 monoclonal antibody and for p33(ING1b) protein expression using GN1 monoclonal antibody. RESULTS: There was a significant association between p53 mutation status analysed by gene sequencing and overall and metastasis-free survival (P = 0.03 and 0.004, respectively, log-rank test). By contrast, no significant correlation was found between p53 and p33(ING1b) protein expression and overall or metastasis-free survival. CONCLUSION: In patients with Dukes'C colorectal cancer who underwent curative surgical resection of the primary tumour, followed by 5-FU-based adjuvant chemotherapy, p53 mutation status as assessed by gene sequencing is a significant predictor of overall and metastasis-free survival.

Nurse specialist led flexible sigmoidoscopy in an outpatient setting.

OBJECTIVE: There has been an increasing demand for diagnostic flexible sigmoidoscopy. In order to improve our diagnostic services, we established a nurse specialist led flexible sigmoidoscopy clinic in 1999. The aim of this study was to review the outcomes of this service between 1999 and 2004. METHOD: The following information was collected prospectively: source of referral, presenting symptoms, the result of the flexible sigmoidoscopy, depth of insertion, the follow-up plan and complications. RESULTS: A total of 3956 patients had a flexible sigmoidoscopy performed between 1999 and 2004. The presenting symptoms were as follows: rectal bleeding (RB) in 1915 patients, change of bowel habit (CBH) in 421 patients, RB+CBH in 814 patients. The depth of insertion of the sigmoidoscope was as follows: rectum in 85 patients, sigmoid colon in 595 patients, descending colon in 1969 patients, splenic flexure in 958 patients and transverse colon in 311 patients. The findings at sigmoidoscopy were as follows: normal in 1560 patients, cancer in 132 patients, inflammatory bowel disease in 276 patients, polyps in 415 patients, diverticular disease in 584 patients and haemorrhoids in 926 patients. Two patients sustained an iatrogenic rectal perforation. CONCLUSION: The nurse specialist led flexible sigmoidoscopy clinic offers an efficient and safe diagnostic service for patients presenting with colorectal symptoms.

Impact of surgeon volume and specialization on short-term outcomes in colorectal cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown a relationship between surgeon volume and outcomes in colorectal cancer surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of surgeon volume and specialization on primary tumour resection rate, restoration of bowel continuity following rectal cancer resection, anastomotic leakage and perioperative mortality. METHODS: The Northern Region Colorectal Cancer Audit Group conducts a population-based audit of patients with colorectal cancer managed by surgeons. This study examined 8219 patients treated between 1998 and 2002. Outcomes were modelled using multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Tumour resection was performed in 6949 (93.8 per cent) of 7411 patients. High-volume surgeons with an annual caseload of at least 18.5 (odds ratio (OR) 1.53 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 1.10 to 2.12); P = 0.012) and colorectal specialists (OR 1.42 (95 per cent c.i. 1.06 to 1.90); P = 0.018) were more likely to perform elective sphincter-saving rectal surgery. In elective surgery, the risk of perioperative death was lower for high-volume surgeons (OR 0.58 (95 per cent c.i. 0.44 to 0.76); P < 0.001), but this was not the case in emergency surgery. CONCLUSION: High-volume surgeons had lower perioperative mortality rates for elective surgery, and were more likely to use restorative rectal procedures.

Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori in patients with colorectal polyps and colorectal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: The role of Helicobacter pylori in the pathogenesis of colorectal polyps and colorectal carcinoma is unknown. H. pylori infection causes fasting and meal stimulated hypergastrinemia. Gastrin increases colorectal mucosal proliferation and promotes tumor growth. We performed a prospective study to determine the seroprevalence of H. pylori in patients with colorectal polyps and colorectal carcinoma and in controls. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 189 patients with colorectal carcinoma, 57 patients with colorectal polyps, and 179 controls. H. pylori serology was determined by an ELISA assay. RESULTS: Logistic regression showed no difference in seroprevalence of H. pylori between patients with colorectal cancer and controls (odds ratio, 1.1; 95% confidence interval, 0.7 to 1.8) or between patients with colorectal polyps and controls (odds ratio 1.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.7 to 2.5). Age and sex were not found to be associated with H. pylori infection. Patients in social classes IV and V were 2.3 times more likely to have H. pylori infection than those in social classes I, II, and III (95% confidence interval, 1.3 to 4.2). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that there is no increase in the seroprevalence of H. pylori in patients with colorectal polyps or colorectal carcinoma compared with controls. These results do not support the hypothesis that there is a relationship between H. pylori infection and the development of colorectal neoplasia.

Plasma levels of progastrin but not amidated gastrin or glycine extended gastrin are elevated in patients with colorectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between plasma gastrin levels and colorectal cancer is controversial. When confounding factors which increase plasma gastrin levels are taken into account, it has been shown that gastrin levels are not elevated in patients with colorectal cancer. However, these studies only measured amidated gastrin. Total gastrin (which includes unprocessed, partially processed, and mature forms of gastrin) has been shown to be elevated in patients with colorectal cancer. AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine whether fasting plasma levels of progastrin, amidated gastrin, or glycine extended gastrin are elevated in patients with colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps compared with controls. METHODS: Progastrin, amidated gastrin, and glycine extended gastrin were estimated by radioimmunoassay using the following antibodies: L289, 109-21, and L2. Blood samples were analysed for Helicobacter pylori by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Median progastrin levels were significantly higher in the cancer group (27.5 pmol/l) than in the polyp (< or =15 pmol/l) or control (< or =15 pmol/l) group (p=0.0001 There was no difference in median levels of amidated gastrin between groups. Median levels of amidated gastrin were significantly higher in H pylori positive patients (19 pmol/l) than in H pylori negative patients (8 pmol/l) (p=0.0022). Median plasma progastrin levels were significantly higher for moderately dysplastic polyps (38 pmol/l) compared with mildly dysplastic (15 pmol/l) and severely dysplastic (15 pmol/l) polyps (p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma levels of progastrin, but not amidated gastrin or glycine extended gastrin, are significantly elevated in patients with colorectal cancer compared with those with colorectal polyps or controls, irrespective of their H pylori status. We conclude that measuring plasma progastrin levels in patients with colorectal cancer is warranted.

Severe invasive group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus infection complicating pharyngitis: a case report and discussion.

Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) has long been recognized as a deadly pathogen with manifestations ranging from impetigo to necrotizing fasciitis. Bacteremia from streptococcal pharyngitis is a rare complication. We report a patient presenting with septic shock and diabetic ketoacidosis from streptococcal pharyngitis. The pathophysiology, classification, and treatment of invasive group A streptococcal infection is discussed.

Massive intraperitoneal hemorrhage from a pancreatic pseudocyst.

Massive bleeding from a pancreatic pseudocyst is a rare condition that poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. A 36-yr-old woman presented with acute pancreatitis due to gallstones. Twenty-two days later, she developed severe abdominal pain and hypotension. CT scan revealed hemorrhage into a pancreatic pseudocyst and a large amount of free blood in the peritoneal cavity. At laparotomy, 8 L of blood was evacuated from the peritoneal cavity and 14 units of blood were transfused. The gastroduodenal artery was found to be the cause of the bleeding and was undersewn. A pancreatic necrosectomy was performed and the cavity was packed. The packs were removed the following day. Postoperatively, pancreatic collections were aspirated under ultrasound guidance on three occasions. She was discharged 50 days after admission and had an open cholecystectomy 1 month later. She remains well 1 yr after surgery.

Laparoscopic ultrasonography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the effectiveness of laparoscopic ultrasonography in demonstrating biliary anatomy, confirming suspected pathology, and detecting unsuspected pathology. METHODS: Laparoscopic ultrasonography was performed on 48 patients (17 M:31 M) who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. An Aloka 7.5-MHz linear laparoscopic ultrasound transducer was used for scanning. RESULTS: Gallbladder stones were confirmed by laparoscopic ultrasonography in all patients and unsuspected pathology was found in five patients. Two patients were found to have common bile duct stones by laparoscopic ultrasonography and this was confirmed by laparoscopic cholangiography. Laparoscopic ultrasound was found to be helpful during dissection in four patients, particularly in a patient with Mirizzi syndrome. The entire common bile duct was visualized by laparoscopic ultrasonography in 40 patients but was poorly seen in eight patients. The mean time taken for the examination was 9 min (range 4-18 min). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic ultrasound is useful during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.