Changes in body weight, glucose homeostasis, lipid profiles, and metabolic syndrome after restrictive bariatric surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Bariatric surgery is an established therapy for morbid obesity. We evaluated the effects of sleeve-gastrectomy on weight, glucose and lipid metabolism and prevalence of metabolic-syndrome for up to 2 years. METHODS: In 52 morbidly obese patients weight, BMI, total-cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, Lipoprotein(a), glucose, HbA1c, insulin, and criteria defining the metabolic-syndrome were determined preoperatively and 6 (n=52), 12 (n=41) and 24 (n=5) months after surgery. RESULTS: BMI decreased from 51±8 kg/m² to 40±7, 39±8, and 38±9 kg/m² at 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. Glucose and HbA1c changed from 116±44 to 93±21 and 94±18 mg/dl and 6.0±1.3 to 5.4±0.8 and 5.4±0.8% at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Triglycerides decreased from 159±87 to 116±41 and 116±62 mg/dl, while HDL--cholesterol increased from 46±12 to 50±12 and 56±13 mg/dl at 6 and 12 months. None of the changes correlated with changes in weight. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome decreased from 81% to 36% and 34% at 6 and 12 months, with individual criteria (central obesity, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, hypertension, and fasting glucose) being reduced by 8/12%, 31/28%, 12/37%, 27/30%, and 38/31% at 6/12 months, respectively. The decrease in triglycerides and HbA1c was more pronounced in hypertriglyceridemic patients compared to normo-triglyceridemic patients, while there was no significant difference between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study evaluating sleeve-gastrectomy in German patients. Our data indicate that sleeve-gastrectomy induces a similar metabolic improvement as malabsorptive surgery. Although metabolic improvement did not correlate with weight reduction, improvement almost exclusively occurred within the first 6 months, when significant weight reduction occurred. It is unclear whether this relates to the operative techniques or to the selection of patients.

[Comparison of laparoscopic splenectomy in supine position with hanging-spleen technique in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura]. / Vergleich der laparoskopischen Splenektomie in Steinschnittlage mit der Hanging-Spleen-Technik bei idiopathischer thrombozytopenischer Purpura.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic splenectomy has become the gold standard intervention for elective splenectomy. Several techniques have been described, which differ in trocar localisations and patient positions. The hanging-spleen technique was examined in comparison to the conventional laparoscopic splenectomy in the supine position among the patient population in our institution over a period of 8 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: On the basis of a retrospective analysis, data were collected on all patients who underwent elective laparoscopic splenectomy for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura between May 1994 and April 2002 and were examined for operation time, blood loss and peri-operative complications. Two types of operation were compared, the conventional laparoscopic splenectomy in the supine position (group A) and the hanging-spleen technique (group B). Finally, the costs of materials of the two operation techniques were compared. RESULTS: For 51 patients (43.1 % men, 56.9 % women) (mean age: 45.5 ± 17.5 years) the mean operation times were 134.2 ± 47.3 min (group A) and 9.8 ± 39.9 min (group B). The mean blood losses were 691.3 ± 544.4 mL in group A and 638.3 ± 1050.6 mL in group B. The perioperative complications were 38.8 % in group A and 21.2 % in group B. There was no significant difference found for operation time, blood loss and perioperative complications in a multivariate analysis. The cost of materials was reduced in group B (use of Endo-GIA 42.4 % in group B, 100 % in group A). In group A 4 incisions, in group B 3 incisions were necessary. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding operation time, blood loss and perioperative complications the 2 laparoscopic techniques for splenectomy do not differ significantly. Merely reduced material costs and a reduction of incisions were found in patients -operated with the hanging-spleen technique. Whether the hanging-spleen technique is the method of choice will have to be shown by further prospective studies.

[Tracheal stents for esophagotracheal fistula in laryngectomy patients. Safe fixation to the tracheostoma]. / Trachealstents wegen ösophagotrachealer Fistel beim Laryngektomierten. Sichere Fixierung am Tracheostoma.

BACKGROUND: Postradiotherapy or malignant esophagotracheal fistulas still represent a dilemma. In the absence of surgical options attempts are made to close the fistula endoscopically by means of esophageal and/or tracheal stents. Tracheal stent placement in laryngectomy patients with terminal stomas is particularly problematic due to the risk of stent dislocation during cannula replacement PATIENTS AND METHODS: Six laryngectomy patients with high esophagotracheal fistulas were each fitted with a coated Ultraflex stent (Boston Scientific, Watertown/MA, US). Following skin undermining, the stents were fixed to the tracheostoma with interrupted sutures and the skin flaps attached to the stent with a second row of sutures. RESULTS: Fistulas could be completely closed in all patients and there were no cases of stent dislocation. Cannula replacement was unproblematic. CONCLUSIONS: Suture fixation of tracheal stents is a viable procedure even for patients with esophagotracheal fistulas and terminal tracheostomy following laryngectomy.

[Management of cholecysto- and choledocholithiasis--survey and analysis of 16 615 cholecystectomies and common bile duct explorations in bavaria]. / Aktuelle Therapie der Cholezysto- und Choledocholithiasis - Umfrageergebnisse mit Analyse von 16 615 Eingriffen in Bayern.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: The aim of this study was the evaluation of the management of cholecysto- and choledocholithiasis and outcome of -laparoscopic as well as open cholecystectomy (CHE) and common bile duct (CBD) exploration in Bavaria, Germany. A written questionnaire -in-cluding 201 structured items was sent to all 180 hospitals and departments performing gen-eral or abdominal surgery in Bavaria. RESULTS: The response rate was 60 %. A total of 16 615 operations for gallstone disease including 16 051 cholecystectomies and 453 CBD explo-ra-tions with or without cholecystectomy were -reported. 88 % of all cholcystectomies started -laparoscopically, the conversion rate was 5.6 %. The Veres needle (69 %), 4 trocar techniques and electrosurgical hook knife were reported as standard procedures. A retrieval bag was used by 53 % of all surgeons. The overall complication rate for cholecystectomy was 5.46 % including 0.15 % -major bile duct injuries. Relaparoscopy was performed in 0.35 %, relaparotomy in 0.44 % and postoperative treatment by ERC in 1.45 %. The overall hospital mortality rate was 0.13 %. When choledocholithiasis was suspected, a two-stage management ("therapeutic splitting") with preoperative ERC was preferred (99 %). The conversion rate of simultaneous laparoscopic CHE+CBD exploration was 43 %. CONCLUSION: These results allow an estimation of the frequency and overall risks in surgical therapy for gallstones. At present, new techniques like combined laparoscopic and endoscopic proce-dures, microinstruments or N.O.T.E.S do not play a significant role in Germany.

[Operative techniques and outcomes in metabolic surgery: sleeve gastrectomy]. / Operative Techniken und deren Outcome in der metabolischen Chirurgie: Sleeve-Gastrektomie.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) was initially introduced for super-obese patients in a two-step concept in order to reduce the perioperative risk. Many years before a very similar technique - the Magenstrasse and Mill (M & M) operation - was developed by Johnston in Leeds / UK as a "more physiological" bariatric procedure with acceptable weight loss, while preserving gastric emptying mechanisms and thus minimising possible side-effects such as vomiting, dumping and diarrhoea, which are common complications of gastric bypass procedures. The following manuscript analyses the current literature and our own preliminary results and parallels publications of the M & M procedure. Until now numerous modifications (e. g., bougie size and residual volume, stapler technique, use of buttress mate-rial) have been reported. However, reported -morbidity and mortality rates were equal to those of gastric banding and gastric bypass (RYGB). In conclusion, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has now proven to be as effective as the RYGB for weight loss over a three-year period. Control of hunger and feeling of fullness are -reported to be superior compared to gastric band-ing. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is no longer an experimental procedure. It should be accepted as one of the effective standard procedures for surgical treatment of morbid obesity.

Ursodeoxycholic acid reduces lipid peroxidation and mucin secretagogue activity in gallbladder bile of patients with cholesterol gallstones.

BACKGROUND: Recently it has been postulated that gallbladder mucin hypersecretion observed in the pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstone disease may be induced by biliary lipid peroxidation. Ursodeoxycholic acid treatment reduces mucin concentration and the formation of cholesterol crystals in the gallbladder bile of patients with cholesterol gallstones and this effect might be mediated by a decrease of biliary lipid peroxidation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial patients with symptomatic cholesterol gallstones received either ursodeoxycholic acid (750 mg daily) (n = 10) or placebo (n = 12) 10-12 days prior to cholecystectomy. As a marker for lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde was measured in bile together with mucin concentration. In addition, the mucin secretagogue activity of the individual bile samples was assessed in cultured dog gallbladder epithelial cells. RESULTS: Ursodeoxycholic acid therapy resulted in a significant reduction of lipid peroxidation in bile as determined by the biliary malondialdehyde concentration (1.36 +/- 0.28 vs. 2.05 +/- 0.38 micromol L(-1); P < 0.005) and the malondialdehyde (micromol L(-1))/total bile acid (mmol L(-1)) ratio (0.02 +/- 0.005 vs. 0.06 +/- 0.01; P < 0.001). Furthermore, a decrease in mucin concentrations (0.7 +/- 0.3 vs. 1.3 +/- 0.5 mg mL(-1); P < 0.005) and of the mucin secretagogue activity of gallbladder bile (0.9 +/- 0.2 vs. 2.2 +/- 0.3 times control; P < 0.001) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The reduction of lipid peroxidation and mucin secretagogue activity of gallbladder bile induced by ursodeoxycholic acid treatment may contribute to the beneficial effects of this drug on gallbladder bile composition and symptoms in cholesterol gallstone patients.

[Zenker's diverticulum treated by transoral diverticulostomy: technique and results]. / Die Technik der transoralen Divertikulostomie bei Zenker-Divertikeln - Langzeitresultate und Literaturvergleich.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The surgical technique of transoral diverticulostomy by a modified Endo-GIAtrade mark Stapler (Multifire Endo GIA, Tyco Healthcare) is described. Experiences of this procedure in 31 patients are analysed and compared with different endoscopic and conventional surgical therapies of Zenker's diverticula, which are reported in the literature. METHOD: From January 1996 to December 2005, 31 transoral diverticulostomies were performed. All patients were included porspectively into the study. The median follow-up time after diverticulostomy was 54 months. Manometry, pH-study of the esophagus, endoscopy and swallow radiography were performed before and after surgery. All patients completed the Gastrointestinal quality of live index (GQLI) and the Grosshadern dysphagia score (GHDS). RESULTS: Subjective comfort of the patients as measured by the Smiley Index, the GQLI and the GHDS was increased significantly (p < 0.001) after therapy. Manometry showed that the upper esophageal sphincter functioned normally before and after intervention. A gastrografin swallow excluded leakage at the stapler suture-line in all cases. A conversion to a conventional cricomyotomy with resection of the diverticulum had to be performed once due to a dissection of the esophagus that occurred during insertion of the spreader. In one patient a bleeding out of the suture line was successfully treated with a metal clip. A prothesis broke due to the insertion of the spreader. Two patients developed relapses during the follow-up period of 54 months. CONCLUSION: Compared to standard procedure the endoscopic minimal-invasive therapy proved to be safer. The operation time and the postoperative stay are shorter.

Laparoscopic colonoscopic rendezvous procedures for the treatment of polyps and early stage carcinomas of the colon.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endoscopic treatment of large or colonoscopically inaccessible polyps or early stage tumors in the colon holds the risk of incomplete resection and colonic perforation. The combination of colonoscopy and laparoscopy offers a minimally invasive treatment modality for the complete resection of polyps with low risk. Aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and outcome of patients operated on by laparoendoscopic rendezvous procedures at the colon. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 38 patients (21 male, 17 female, median age 66 years [range 39-90]) undergoing rendezvous surgery at the colon were reviewed prospectively. Follow-up data were obtained by clinical examination and personal communication via telephone or questionnaire. The median follow up was 54 months. RESULTS: From January 1998 until April 2007, 38 patients were treated with rendezvous procedures in our hospital. In 30 cases, a colonoscopically assisted laparoscopic procedure was performed and in eight patients a laparoscopically controlled colonoscopic procedure. A benign lesion was confirmed histologically in 31 patients. In five cases, histopathologic diagnosis revealed a malignancy necessitating colonic surgery. A coprolith extraction and a suture of the sigma were performed in one case each. Complications occurred in two patients. One patient developed an anastomosis insufficiency that necessitated a revision. One patient developed pneumonia postoperatively. A conversion to laparotomy had to be performed in two cases. CONCLUSION: Rendezvous procedures offer a safe, minimal-invasive therapeutic approach allowing the resection of benign sessile or colonoscopically inaccessible localized polyps and of early stage colon cancer.

Transoral diverticulostomy with a modified Endo-Gia stapler: results after 4 years of experience.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of Zenker's diverticulum is low (2/100,000). Standard surgical treatment is cricopharyngeal myotomy with diverticulectomy. Various minimally invasive surgical approaches pursued recently have treated Zenker's diverticulum adequately. The functional minimally invasive therapy is performed alternatively using an Endo-Gia stapler inserted transorally to perform an esophageal diverticulostomia, or using thermal coagulation applied by a carbon dioxide (CO2) or argon plasma laser. The key to a successful procedure is adequate exposure of the diverticulum by insertion of a pharynx spreader before the surgery. METHODS: Since 1996, 31 patients who underwent minimally invasive diverticulostomies performed in our clinic have been included prospectively in the current study. All the patients were examined endoscopically before and after surgery. Furthermore, the intraesophageal and intragastric pressure was examined by transesophageal manometry, and the pH in the esophagus and stomach was determined by pH-metry. A barium swallow was performed to exclude leakage at the stapler suture line as proof of sufficient anastomoses. Manometry showed that the upper esophageal sphincter functioned normally before and after surgery. The results were compared with those of patients undergoing conventional procedures. RESULTS: The median follow-up period after resection of the diverticulum was 46 months. Both the Gastrointestinal Quality-of-Life Index (GQLI) (p < 0.001) and the modified dysphagia score (GHDS) increased significantly, indicating that the operations were successful. The minimally invasive procedure is faster than cricopharyngeal myotomy and significantly safer. It is better tolerated by patients, and they are discharged earlier. CONCLUSION: Transoral esophagodiverticulosomy has become the standard procedure for Zenker's diverticulum in the authors' department. The endoscopic minimally invasive approach proved to be safer than standard surgical procedures. It offers a significantly shorter operation time and postoperative hospital stay (p < 0.001).

Laparoscopic partial myectomy: an experimental reflux model.

BACKGROUND: A number of different surgical procedures have been described for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Moreover, modifications and completely new techniques are being introduced on a regular basis. Nonetheless, in most cases of novel laparoscopic techniques profound experimental data have not been collected prior to their clinical introduction. Due to the lack of an animal model of inadequate esophageal sphincter function, most experimental studies on antireflux procedures were done on normally functioning esophageal sphincters. METHODS: It is well-known that myotomy alone cannot induce sphincter insufficiency in animal models. In addition, complete myectomy is associated with severe mortality and, therefore, is not useful as an experimental model. This study introduces a new model of laparoscopic partial in vivo myectomy. The procedure described here forms a myectomy of the esophagus using scissors and a sponge on the side of the greater gastric curvature. The size of the myectomy is approximately 6 x 1.5 cm and was successfully performed in a consecutive series of eight experimental animals (male German house pigs). RESULTS: Following an intensive team training on dead animals, the procedure was performed with success via the laparoscope in all study animals (n = 8). The sphincter pressure as determined by manometry was significantly reduced from 7.7 mmHg (range, 4.5-9.1; preoperative values) to 2.2 mmHg (range, 0-6.8; early postoperative values) and 2.3 mmHg (range, 0-3.7) at 8 weeks after surgery (p < 0.001). In addition, the length of the lower esophageal sphincter as well as the sphincter pressure vector volume were significantly reduced early as well as at 8 weeks after laparoscopic myectomy. Furthermore, endoscopy and reflux testing were pathologic compared with control animals. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic partial myectomy results in complete sphincter insufficiency with only little procedure-related morbidity. This procedure allows for the experimental evaluation of surgical procedures on the gastroesophageal junction. Future modifications of surgical antireflux procedures can therefore be evaluated in an experimental setting prior to their clinical introduction.

Techniques and results of laparoscopic antireflux surgery in Germany.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the development and outcomes of laparoscopic antireflux surgery in Germany using a nationwide representative survey. METHODS: A written questionnaire including 34 detailed questions and 288 structured items about diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, number of procedures, complications, and mortality was sent to 546 randomly selected German surgeons (33% of the registered general surgeons) at the end of 2000. RESULTS: The response rate was 72%, and a total of 2,540 antireflux procedures were reported. According to the survey, 81% of all procedures were performed laparoscopically, and 0.1% were performed thoracoscopically. As reported, 65% were total fundoplications, 31% were partial fundoplications, and 4% were other procedures. Of the surgeons who had experience with laparoscopic antireflux techniques (29%), 71% preferred a 5-trocar technique, and 91% used the Harmonic Scalpel for dissection. There were significant technical variations among the surgical procedures (e.g., use and size of the bougie, length of the wrap, additional gastropexy, fixation of the wrap). The overall complication rate for laparoscopic fundoplication was 7.7% (5.7% surgical and 2% nonsurgical complications), including rates of 0.6% for esophageal perforations and 0.6% for splenic lesions. The conversion rate was 2.9%; the reoperation rate was 1.6%; and the overall hospital mortality rate was 0.13%. The authors observed a striking learning curve difference in complication rates between hospitals performing fewer than 10 laparoscopic antireflux techniques annually and those performing more than 10 fundoplications per year (14% vs 5.1%, p < 0.001). Long-term dysphagia and interventions occasioned by dysphagia occurred significantly more often after total fundoplications than after partial fundoplications (6.6% vs 2.4%; p < 0.001). Similar findings were reported for Nissen versus floppy Nissen procedures. The overall failure rate, however, was similar for both groups (Nissen 8.7%; partial 9%, difference not significant). CONCLUSIONS: Until now, no unique laparoscopic antireflux technique has been accepted, and a number of different antireflux procedures with numerous modifications have been reported. The morbidity and mortality rates reported in this article compare very well with those in the literature, and 1-year-follow-up results are promising.

How safe are laparoscopic intracorporeal anastomoses?

BACKGROUND: A recent German Multicenter Study comprising 3 070 laparoscopic colorectal resections indicates that complete intracorporeal anastomoses are performed in only 1.8 % cases. The aim of our study was to review and analyse the safety of complete intracorpeal anastomosis. METHODS: In a literature survey we searched for complete intracorporeal anastomosis with different key words. RESULTS: In agreement with the literature, technically demanding hand-sutured anastomoses are no common practice. Intracorporeal anastomosis is usually done using endoscopic linear stapling devices or a conventional circular stapler by performing end-to-end, end-to-side, and side-to-side anastomoses. These techniques are more frequently used in the upper than in the lower gastrointestinal tract. CONCLUSIONS: The data published so far, however, indicates that completely intracorporeal performed anastomoses are safe in the hands of laparoscopically experienced surgeons. This technique implies very low percentages of postoperative stenoses (0-10 %) and, furthermore, very low percentages of postoperative anastomotic leakages (0-8 %).

Laparoscopic management of a small bowel perforation caused by a toothpick.

A 58-year-old man underwent an emergency laparoscopic procedure for small bowel perforation with peritonitis after the ingestion of a wooden toothpick. Treatment consisted of laparoscopic removal of the foreign body, followed by lavage of the abdominal cavity and laparoscopic closure of the perforation, including omentoplasty. The patient recovered from peritonitis and was discharged from the hospital on day 14 after the operation.

Laparoscopic diaphragmatic plication: long-term results of a novel surgical technique for postoperative phrenic nerve palsy.

BACKGROUND: Paralysis of the diaphragm is a severe complication of cardiothoracic surgery carrying significant morbidity and mortality. This study demonstrates a novel minimally invasive technique for treatment of phrenic nerve injuries presenting with symptomatic eventration of the diaphragm. It also presents long-term results of three patients treated with this operation. METHODS: Chest x-ray proved eventration of the left diaphragm in all patients. Two patients required treatment due to prolonged respirator therapy/assisted ventilation for 4 weeks after cardiac surgery. One patient suffered from progressive dyspnea caused by increasing left-sided diaphragmatic elevation and underwent surgery 2 years after cardiac surgery. In all cases, a minimally invasive abdominal approach was chosen. During surgery the dome of the diaphragm was pulled down via three percutaneously inserted retention stitches. This resulted in two or three folds of the diaphragm located within the abdomen. These diaphragmatic folds were subsequently tightened using 12 to 15 unresorbable sutures with extracorporally prepared knots. Surgical as well as long-term follow-up results are presented of all patients and a review of the current literature is provided. RESULTS: Mean operating time was 203 min; mean intraoperative blood loss was 130 ml. No major complications occurred during surgery or the postoperative period. At a median follow-up of 72 months no recurrence was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic diaphragmatic plication provides excellent relief of symptoms caused by diaphragmatic paralysis. There is no perioperative morbidity, and hospital stay is short. The laparoscopic approach, therefore, is an attractive surgical alternative for the treatment of phrenic nerve palsy and should be considered in all suitable patients.

Techniques and results of esophageal cancer surgery in Germany.

AIMS: This study evaluated the techniques and short-term results of surgical treatment for esophageal cancer in Germany by a nationwide representative survey. METHODS: In 2000 a questionnaire including 63 structured items concerning indication, technique, number of procedures, complications, and hospital mortality was sent to 308 randomly selected general, gastrointestinal, and thoracic surgeons and all university hospitals in Germany (20% of all surgeons). The response rate was 76% ( n=234). RESULTS: In 1999 the 56 participating hospitals performed approximately 370,000 procedures, including 1,677 operations for esophageal diseases, including 891 esophagectomies, 706 for esophageal cancer, 285 for cancer of the cardia. Gastric interposition was the most common technique to restore alimentary tract continuity (86%). Interposition of the colon (ascending colon 64%) is a common procedure only in 22 centers, indicating that experience with this means of esophageal reconstruction is limited. There were no significant differences in complication and mortality rates between gastric transposition and colon interposition. The overall complication rate was 61%, with 36% after gastric interposition and 42% after colon interposition. Anastomotic leakages occurred in 12% and 15%, respectively, and the rate of graft necrosis was 3% in both groups. Hospital mortality was 8% with gastric transposition and 11% with colon interposition. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 24 days. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that gastric transposition is frequently used for reconstruction after esophageal resection for malignant disease. It appears that the colon is not as accepted as the stomach for reconstruction, although the reported complication rates compare well with those reported after gastric transposition. This study allows a realistic evaluation of the overall risk of these surgical techniques.

[Antireflux surgery in Germany. Results of a representative survey with analysis of 2,540 antireflux operations]. / Antirefluxchirurgie in Deutschland. Ergebnisse einer repräsentativen Umfrage mit Analyse von 2.540 Antirefluxoperationen.

INTRODUCTION: Aim of this study was the evaluation of antireflux surgery in Germany. METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire including 288 structured items about diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, complications and mortality was sent to 33% randomly selected German general surgeons (n = 546) at the end of 2000. RESULTS: A total of 2,540 antireflux procedures was reported, 81% were performed laparoscopically; 65% were total, 31% partial fundoplications. The number of surgeons offering laparoscopic antireflux surgery increased from 0.3% in 1990 to 5% in 1995 and to 32% in 2000. Numerous modifications regarding esophageal mobilisation, crural repair, kind and extension of the wrap, use and size of a bougie, as well as an additional gastropexy were observed. Morbidity rates were significantly higher for open than for laparoscopic procedures (15.0% vs. 7.7%), mainly caused by wound healing problems (4.4% vs. 0.8%) and splenic lesions (3.1 vs. 0.6%). Gastric and esophageal perforations were similar in both groups (1.1 vs. 0.9%). Hospital mortality rate was 0.1%. We observed a frequency dependent learning curve regarding complication rates after laparoscopic antireflux surgery (< 11 fundoplication p.a.: 14.0%; 11-30 fundoplications: 7.3% (p = 0.05); > 30 fundoplications: 4.2% (p = 0.05%). Long-term-dysphagia occurred more often after 360 degrees-versus partial fundoplications (6.6% vs. 2.4%; p < 0.001) and after Nissen/Nissen-Rossetti--than after Floppy-Nissen-procedures (6.6% vs. 3.6%, p = 0.1). The recurrency rate was 9.3% without significant differences between the procedures. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy has replaced the open technique. Different technical approaches significantly affect the outcome after laparoscopic antireflux surgery in Germany.

[Indications, techniques and results of laparoscopic surgery for diaphragmatic diseases]. / Indikation, Technik und Ergebnisse der laparoskopischen Zwerchfellchirurgie.

Eleven patients with congenital, traumatic and functional extrahiatal diaphragmatic lesions are reported. Since 1991 two patients with acute, two patients with old ruptures of the diaphragm and one patient with a Morgagni-Larrey-hernia were successfully treated by laparoscopic direct suturing. In two other patients with Morgagni hernias we used a polypropylene mesh for closure of the defect. One procedure was performed in a patient with symptomatic congenital dysplasia of the diaphragm with aplasia of the pericard. Laparoscopic plication of the diaphragm was performed in three symptomatic patients with phrenic nerve palsy after cardiac surgery. The intra- and postoperative course was uneventful in all cases. During a median follow-up of 60 months there was no recurrence. Therefore the laparoscopic technique is an effective and attractive alternative for treatment of these diseases.

Laparoscopic repair of an extrahiatal hernia caused by congenital dysplasia: a case report.

A 40-year-old woman with complaints of relapse in the upper abdomen and dysphagia was referred for laparascopic hiatal hernia repair. Chest radiograph, barium-swallow, and upper endoscopy revealed a paraesophageal hernia. Esophageal manometry and 24-h-pH study showed no pathological findings. A laparoscopic gastropexy was planned. Intraoperatively, in contradiction to the preoperative findings, an extrahiatal hernia containing most of the stomach was found. After resection of the hernia sac, the beating heart without covering pericardium was seen. These findings were confirmed by an additional thoracoscopy at the end of the operation. The defect was closed by direct suturing. The postoperative course and 2-month follow-up were uneventful. The resected parts of the hernia sac showed an embryonic and dysgenetic etiology. This rare malformation has been reported in combination with complex syndromes, which appear with serious clinical and morphological signs in the neonatal period. In adults, the pericardial aplasia can be observed during diagnostic or surgical interventions. In these patients, complaints are usually not caused by the malformation but may be due to the occasional herniation of abdominal organs. We consider laparoscopic repair to be a gentle and safe procedure for the treatment of extrahiatal hernias.

Gallstone surgery in German university hospitals. Development, complications and changing strategies.

A representative anonymous questionnaire was sent to all German university hospitals ( n=45) to address the development and outcome of laparoscopic gallstone surgery between 1991 and 1998. The response rate was 64%, and 28,753 operations for gallstone disease were analysed. Two-thirds of the procedures (67%) were performed laparoscopically. While a significant decrease of surgical complications (1991 vs 1998: 5.4% vs 3.4%; P<0.001) and re-laparotomy rate (1.0% vs 0.5%, P<0.05) was observed, no significant changes were detected with regard to the mortality rate. A learning curve regarding common bile duct (CBD) injuries was detected, showing a significant increase between 1991 and 1994 (0.3% and 0.7%, respectively, P<0.05) and a decrease to 0.2% in 1995 and 1996 ( P<0.05). The use of intraoperative cholangiography is compulsory in 10%, selective in 52%, while 38% of the university hospitals never use it. Most institutions use the Veress needle for pneumoperitoneum installation, and 93% use hook cautery for dissection. Since 1998, 45% of all institutions have also used the harmonic scalpel. The spectrum of indications for laparoscopic procedures has increased with time since acute cholecystitis, CBD stones and adhesions are not considered a general reason for a primary open approach. Our findings confirm a learning curve with regard to postoperative morbidity after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This observation may be due to better training as well as surgical experience.

[Experience with surgical treatment of prosthetic valve endocarditis]. / Múbillentyú-endocarditis sebészi kezelésével szerzett tapasztalataink.

Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) is a rare but dangerous complication that may occur after the implantation. The authors retrospectively summarize their 11-year experience in treating PVE. 2357 prosthetic valve (PV) implantations were performed over 11 years at the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Semmelweis University, Budapest, PVE was found to be the indication for operation in 1.8% of the cases (43/2357). 43 surgical interventions were carried out on 38 patients (mean age: 52.5 yrs, male/female ratio: 25/13). Blood cultures were positive in 86% and negative in 14% of the cases. The infected PV-s were replaced emergently (14%), urgently (79%) or electively (7%). The explanted valves were aortic in 55% and mitral 45% of the cases, 63% were mechanical and 37% biological. PVE followed the primary PV implantation in less than a year in 39.5%. Infected environment during the primary PV implantation was found to be a predisposing factor for the late endocarditis episodes. The mean age of the infected and explanted aortic bioprosthetic valves was significantly higher than that of explanted mechanical valves (p < 0.05). No such difference could be found at the mitral valves. The explanted valves were replaced by mechanical (75.5%) or biological (22.5%) devices. Homograft was implanted once. Early postoperative mortality of the primary PV replacements was 10.5%) devices. Homograft was implanted once. Early postoperative mortality of the primary PV replacements was 10.5%. Endocarditis reoccurred in 20% of the cases. Means follow-up duration was 45.5 months. Two-, five- an 10-year survival were 75%, 64% and 51% respectively. In conclusion in the surgical treatment of PVE, bioprosthetic and mechanical valves are suitable alternatives as opposed to homografts and freestyle stentless valves.