Totally extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia repair after an original TEPIs it safe, and is it even possible?

BACKGROUND: There are only scant published reports of totally extraperitoneal (TEP) repair of recurrence after a primary TEP procedure. Furthermore, at least two authors have made the statement that such an operation is virtually impossible. METHODS: We have been performing TEP repair of recurrence after TEP since we 1996, and here we present a retrospective review of our experience with the procedure. We employ a method not varying greatly from the standard TEP done for primary hernia. RESULTS: All cases were started laparoscopically, and only one of 20 had to be converted to open. Of these cases, 12 were for same-side recurrence and eight for a contralateral new hernia. With a follow-up of 28-74 months, there have been no fatalities, no complications, and no re-recurrence. CONCLUSION: We have found that TEP repair of recurrent inguinal hernia after a primary TEP repair is entirely feasible technically as well as entirely safe.

Laparoscopic autopsies.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, autopsy consent rates have fallen nationwide. In our institution they have declined from 15% to 7% in 10 years. We perceived that family reluctance to grant permission for autopsy was related to the invasiveness of the open procedure, so we began to do autopsies by needle biopsy, with an increase in consents to 25% during the first year. However, the procedure is inherently inaccurate, so we recently have introduced minimally invasive laparoscopic autopsy. METHODS: From July through October 1999, needle biopsy was performed on 25 patients who died at our institution, which was followed by laparoscopic evaluation. Consent for full conventional autopsy had been granted in nine cases, and these then were performed. Data from these autopsies were compared with those from the laparoscopic procedures. RESULTS: Of the patients for whom consent was obtained for open autopsy, there was complete agreement as to cause of death between the laparoscopic and conventional procedures. In one case, a liver hemangioma was missed by laparoscopy, and in two other cases, colon polyps were not discovered. Biopsies of internal organs were accurately performed on the pancreas, kidneys, and adrenals, all of which had been troublesome for needle biopsy alone. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic autopsy is much more acceptable to the families of patients than the conventional form, resulting in a higher consent rate. On the basis of our study group, this procedure provides accurate data concerning the cause of death. In addition, performing these autopsies gives surgical residents invaluable training in laparoscopic skills.

The routine use of diagnostic laparoscopy in the intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Delay in the diagnosis of intraabdominal pathology is a major contributor to the morbidity and mortality of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Laparoscopy is a valuable diagnostic tool that can be used safely and efficiently in the evaluation of intraabdominal processes that may be difficult to diagnose with conventional methods. Our goal was to show that laparoscopy performed at the bedside in the ICU could be used as a routine diagnostic tool in the evaluation of critically ill patients, just as computed tomography (CT), ultrasonography (US), and radiography are. METHODS: We present 11 patients who underwent 12 bedside examinations in the ICU of a community teaching hospital. Several different surgeons with varying degrees of laparoscopic experience performed these procedures over a 1-year period. RESULTS: Four patients had previously undergone recent abdominal operations. Nontherapeutic laparotomy was avoided in six patients because of diagnostic laparoscopy. One patient also underwent a therapeutic maneuver at the time of diagnostic laparoscopy. None of the patients required general anesthesia, although local anesthetics and sedation with midazolam or propofol were used. One patient underwent the procedure without endotracheal intubation. There were no complications or mortalities directly related to the procedure. CONCLUSION: We conclude that bedside laparoscopy in the ICU under local anesthesia is a diagnostic and potentially therapeutic tool that can be used safely in the work-up of potential abdominal pathology in critically ill patients.

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for blunt injury to the pancreas. A case report.

Laparoscopic pancreatic resection has not been reported for traumatic injuries to the pancreas. We present the case of a laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy performed on a 10-year-old boy after he sustained a distal transection of the pancreas due to blunt abdominal trauma. The spleen and its vessels were preserved. The patient was sent home on postoperative day 3 without any postoperative complications. Performing an advanced laparoscopic pancreatic procedure is feasible, in the trauma setting, particularly in children.

Incidence of incipient contralateral hernia during laparoscopic hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: In addition to its well-known benefits of decreased postoperative pain and shorter recovery time, laparoscopic hernia repair has the major advantage of allowing the surgeon to explore the side contralateral to the clinically diagnosed hernia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of incipient unsuspected contralateral hernia during totally extraperitoneal (TEP) laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy and to analyze the risks and benefits of identifying these hernias at the time of the initial surgery. METHODS: We did a retrospective review of the charts of all of the 724 male patients who underwent laparoscopic TEP repair of 958 groin hernias between September 1991 and September 1999. The initial clinical impression of the existence of unilateral or bilateral hernias was noted and compared to our operative findings. The same surgeon performed all the repairs. Exploration of the contralateral side was performed in a systematic fashion. A second mesh prosthesis was placed if a contralateral hernia was found. RESULTS: Bilateral hernia repair was performed on 234 patients (32. 3%). In 62 of them (11.2%), the contralateral hernia was diagnosed only at the time of the procedure. Operative time ranged from 14 to 185 min (median, 38.6). The operative time for the contralateral exploration ranged from 2 to 5 min (median, 2.8). The rate of complications was 4.1%, but no complications were directly related to the exploration of the asymptomatic side. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that a large number of inguinal hernias are undiagnosed by physical examination (11.2%). Systematic contralateral exploration using the TEP approach is safe and does not greatly increase the operative time. Early identification and repair of a contralateral hernia obviates the need for reoperation, reduces overall costs to the health care system, and eliminates any further work loss for the patient.

The extraperitoneal approach and its utility.

Early after the introduction of the laparoscopic preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair, surgeons have realized the many potential applications of this approach. Since then, the access of the preperitoneal space has been used for many other laparoscopic procedures, which include the pelvic lymph node dissection, the bladder neck suspension, the varicoselectomy, and the radical prostatectomy. We discuss the different techniques used to create the preperitoneal space and then we describe our experience in the dissection of this space. The extraperitoneal endoscopic access provides a safe and minimally invasive approach to a variety of procedures and we believe that it is essential to introduce it as an integral part of the surgical training program.

Needlescopic extraperitoneal repair of inguinal hernias.

Laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy has traditionally been performed using one 5-mm and two 11-mm trocars. In this report, we evaluate the feasibility of the preperitoneal repair of inguinal hernias using the needlescopic method (2-mm ports) and describe the technique used in this repair. A total of 11 inguinal hernias were treated with needlescopic extraperitoneal repair. There were five direct and six indirect hernias. One patient had a bilateral hernia. The average operative time was 54 min. One patient was converted to the standard laparoscopic extraperitoneal method. All patients were discharged a few hours after the procedure. They were able to resume activity within a few days and required only minimal analgesic intake. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 6 months. All patients were followed up by one of the surgeons at 1, 3, and 6 weeks, and then at 6 months. No complications were encountered. There have been no recurrences to date. Overall, needlescopic extraperitoneal repair of inguinal hernias is a feasible procedure in male patients seeking better cosmetic results than can be achieved with standard laparoscopic extraperitoneal repair. This procedure is technically more demanding. The operative time is longer. The cosmetic aspect is the only advantage of this technique.

The feasibility of laparoscopic extraperitoneal hernia repair under local anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic preperitoneal herniorrhaphy has the advantage of being a minimally invasive procedure with a recurrence rate comparable to open preperitoneal repair. However, surgeons have been reluctant to adopt this procedure because it requires general anesthesia. METHODS: In this report, we describe the technique used in the laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernias under local anesthesia using the preperitoneal approach. We also report our results with 10 inguinal hernias repaired using the same technique. RESULTS: Ten patients underwent their primary inguinal hernia repairs under local anesthesia. None were converted to general anesthesia. Four patients received a small amount of intravenous sedation. Three patients had bilateral hernias. There were five direct and eight indirect hernias. The average operative time was 47 min. The average lidocaine usage was 28 cc. All patients were discharged within a few hours of the surgery. There were no complications. Follow-up has ranged from 1 to 6 months. There has been no recurrences to date. CONCLUSIONS: The extraperitoneal laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernia is feasible under local anesthesia. This technique adds a new treatment option in the management of bilateral inguinal hernias, particularly in the population where general anesthesia is contraindicated or even for patients who are reluctant to receive general or epidural anesthesia.

Laparoscopic preperitoneal repair of recurrent inguinal hernias.

Repair of recurrent inguinal hernias using the conventional open technique has been associated with high rates of recurrence and complications. Stoppa has reported a low recurrence rate using the open preperitoneal approach. Evolution of laparoscopic techniques has allowed the reproduction of the open preperitoneal repair via an endoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) approach. This study reviewed all the recurrent inguinal hernias repaired laparoscopically and evaluated the complication and recurrence rate. A total of 512 inguinal hernias were treated laparoscopically using the TEP approach. Of these, 75 were recurrent. The ages of the 61 men ranged from 36 to 65 years. There were 41 direct and 34 indirect hernias. Fourteen were bilateral. None of the repairs was converted to an open procedure. The operating time ranged from 20 to 145 min (median 42 min). All patients were discharged home on the same day. There were no deaths. The complications consisted of two instances of urinary retention and one groin collection. Patient follow-up ranged from 6 to 72 (median 40) months, and there have been no recurrences to date. The TEP repair for recurrent inguinal hernias can produce results comparable to the open preperitoneal technique with low morbidity and recurrence rates.

Cost effectiveness of routine type and screen testing before laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the cost effectiveness of routine preoperative blood type and screen testing before laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: All 2,589 laparoscopic cholecystectomies and 603 open cholecystectomies performed at our institution between January 1990 and December 1996 were retrospectively reviewed to identify the incidence and causes of blood transfusions. With the use of ICD-9-CM coding, a computerized retrospective research was done to match the corresponding codes for the aforementioned operations and blood transfusion. Individual charts were reviewed to identify the indications for blood transfusion. RESULTS: Of the 2,589 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed, 12 patients required blood transfusion, and of the 603 open cholecystectomies, 33 patients required blood transfusion. The incidence of blood transfusions was 0.46% for laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 5.47% for open cholecystectomy. Two of the blood transfusions given intraoperatively were due to major vascular injury in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group. The remaining blood transfusions were found to be the result of preexisting medical conditions including sickle-cell anemia, end-stage renal disease, and chronic iron deficiency anemia. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become a widely used therapeutic modality in general surgery. The procedure is safe, effective, and well tolerated by the patient. In the era of managed healthcare, the cost effectiveness of commonly ordered tests is frequently questioned. In the absence of preoperative indications, routine preoperative blood type and screen testing should be eliminated for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The elimination of routine preoperative blood type and screen testing could have saved our institution $79,800 during a 6-year period.

Laparoscopic transabdominal lumboperitoneal shunt.

Communicating hydrocephalus can be handled either by the ventriculoperitoneal or, occasionally, the ventriculoatrial shunt. The lumboperitoneal shunt is another option. It does not require a transcranial approach; therefore, it is safer for the patient. We describe a technique that can be performed easily by a skilled laparoscopic surgeon through an anterior approach transabdominally. The lumboperitoneal (LP) shunt is placed laparoscopically under direct videoscopic vision, with the catheter inserted transabdominally through the L3 disc space into the thecal sac. In our patient, the lumboperitoneal shunt was placed at the L3 disc space for communicating hydrocephalus. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. The LP shunt can be easily placed by a skilled laparoscopic surgeon. The incidence of infection and complications is lower, and the patency rate is higher. This should be the initial choice for communicating hydrocephalus.

Endoscopic extraperitoneal herniorrhaphy. A 5-year experience.

BACKGROUND: This report reviews our experience with 512 groin hernias treated by a laparoscopic extraperitoneal approach over the past 5 years. We detail the modifications that have been made to this procedure and compare our morbidity and recurrence rates with other laparoscopic and open herniorrhaphy techniques. METHODS: Between September 1991 and September 1996, 395 male patients underwent 512 hernia repairs by an endoscopic total extraperitoneal approach (TEP). Their ages ranged from 18 to 82 years. There were 267 indirect, 218 direct, 17 pantaloon, and 10 femoral hernias. Of these, 117 were bilateral and 54 were recurrent. All repairs were done with polypropylene mesh. All patients were given general anesthesia except 16 (4.05%) who had epidural anesthesia. RESULTS: Of 512 hernia repairs, seven required conversion to an open procedure (1.3%). There were 19 complications (4.8%), including eight cases of urinary retention, six of groin collection, one bladder injury, one trocar site infection, one transient neuralgia, one cardiac arrhythmia, and one laryngospasm. Follow-up on 354 patients (41 were lost to follow-up) ranged from 6 to 66 months (mean, 38). There were six hernia recurrences (1.69%), but no deaths. Operative time ranged from 15 to 185 min. CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic extraperitoneal approach to groin hernia repair has a recurrence rate comparable with open and other laparoscopic techniques. Operative time has decreased considerably with experience. Familiarity with the technique has eliminated the need for balloon dissectors, cauteries, suction irrigation, Foley catheters, and stapling of the mesh. These advances, along with shortening of the operative time and employment of reusable trocars, have permitted a significant decrease in the cost of the procedure. This study provides the longest follow-up reported with this technique. In experienced hands, the TEP repair produces results that are comparable with the open, tension-free repair and represents a reasonable alternative.

Major vascular injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. An institutional review of experience with 2589 procedures and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Since the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, major vascular injury has been a rare but very serious complication of the procedure. METHODS: All 2,589 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed at our institution between May 1, 1990, and December 31, 1996, were retrospectively reviewed to identify major vascular injury and the mechanisms involved. All these procedures were performed either by surgical attendings or senior surgical residents. RESULTS: During the 1,372 operations performed here between May 1, 1990, and May 1, 1994, there were three major vascular injuries. One was to a portal vein, due to dissection during lysis of adhesions; the other two, to the aorta and vena cava, were due to trocar insertions. There was one mortality secondary to liver failure following repair of the portal vein injury. Between May 1, 1994, and December 1, 1996, there were no major vascular injuries; our overall incidence was 0.11%. A review of the literature on this subject is included. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a very safe procedure; major vascular injury is a rare complication, but mandates early recognition and consideration of prompt exploratory laparotomy. These injuries can be avoided by strict adherence to laparoscopic guidelines: obtaining pneumoperitoneum by the open technique, inserting side trocars under direct vision, elevating the abdominal wall prior to trocar insertion, and training surgeons in a laparoscopic laboratory.

Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy: review of complications and recurrence.

Laparoscopic hernia repair has evolved considerably since its introduction. Different methods have been described, and multiple studies have been performed reporting widely varying outcomes. This study was undertaken to review all the major publications on laparoscopic herniorrhaphy from 1993 to 1996 and evaluate the rates of recurrence and complications involved in the various techniques. In a total of 11,222 laparoscopic hernia repairs, the procedure performed most frequently was the transabdominal preperitoneal patch (TAPP), followed by the total extraperitoneal patch (TEP). There were 300 (2.7%) recurrences. From 9,955 hernia repairs, there were 1,534 (15.4%) complications. Hematoma/seroma (456), neuralgia (199), urinary retention (150), and chronic pain (39) were the most frequently reported complications. Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy is a higher effective method of hernia repair with results comparable with the open technique. TAPP is still the most widely performed technique. TEP is becoming more popular, mainly because of its excellent outcome. The major drawback of TEP is the difficulty of reproducibility by different general surgeons with comparable results. Other techniques such as plug and patch carry a high rate of recurrence and complications and should probably be completely abandoned.

Pneumothorax as a complication of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

Pneumothorax was identified as a complication of endoscopic hernia repair in two patients with insufflation pressures of 15 mmHg and operating times exceeding 2 h. These patients also showed intraoperative perturbations in both oxygen saturation and end-tidal CO2 production. A prospective study was undertaken to determine whether similar complications would arise if preperitoneal insufflation pressures were limited to 10 mmHg. Postoperative chest x-rays were obtained on all patients to check for pneumothoraces, even clinically occult ones. Fifty patients were studied, with average operating times of 67 min. No patient demonstrated any hemodynamic or ventilatory changes, and none had any evidence of pneumothorax on x-ray. We conclude that these complications were not present when insufflation pressure was maintained at 10 mmHg and that routine x-ray is not warranted. Larger randomized trials of insufflation pressures are needed.

Laparoscopic staging of Hodgkin's disease.

With recent advances in laparoscopy, specifically the development of laparoscopic splenectomy, a complete laparoscopic Hodgkin's staging procedure is now possible. Using five trocars and the patient in the right semidecubitus position, six laparoscopic staging procedures were performed. All were stages IIA or IIB pre-operatively, and none were upgraded to stage III or IV as a result of the procedure. Operative time was from 185-255 min. (mean 210 min.) There were no operative morbidities or mortalities associated with the procedure. We believe this procedure will be adopted by more surgeons as they become more comfortable in performing laparoscopic splenectomies.