Prospective, multicenter study of laparoscopic ventral hernioplasty. Preliminary results.

BACKGROUND: A standard technique for laparoscopic ventral hernioplasty (peritoneal onlay using an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene [ePTFE] patch for hernias >/=4 cm2) is being used in a prospective, multicenter, long-term study. METHODS: Demographic, operative, and postoperative data were collected and analyzed. Follow-up clinical evaluations were conducted 7-10 days, 4 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, and then annually after surgery in all patients. RESULTS: In the first 2 years of the study, 144 patients were enrolled; nine were lost to follow-up. The mean operating time was 120 min. The mean follow-up was 222 days (range 5-731). Postoperative complications were five infections, three cases of prolonged ileus, one bowel obstruction, 23 seromas (15 resolved without intervention), and six hernia recurrences. Hospital discharge occurred a mean of 2.3 days after surgery and return to normal activity a mean of 15 days postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic prosthetic ventral hernioplasty avoids the large wound required in open repairs, with attendant complications and recurrences, and appears safe, especially if an ePTFE mesh is used. Compared with conventional open ventral hernioplasty, the laparoscopic technique may also allow shorter hospitalization and a quicker return to normal activities after surgery.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: the procedure of choice for gallbladder disease.

In an attempt to decrease patient discomfort and hasten recovery after gallbladder surgery, a laparoscopic approach to cholecystectomy has been developed. The procedure decreases hospital stay and affords a rapid return to normal activities. A large experience with laparoscopic cholecystectomy is rapidly accumulating. Our first 100 laparoscopic cholecystectomies are reviewed. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is now the procedure of choice for the treatment of gallbladder disease.

Surgical judgment in the management of abdominal stab wounds. Utilizing clinical criteria from a 10-year experience.

A 10-year retrospective study of patients with stab wounds to the abdomen managed under a protocol of selective management has been performed. Patients were assessed on the basis of clinical presentation and physical examination, with minimal diagnostic studies. Peritoneal lavage was not utilized in the evaluation of the patients. Two hundred and nineteen such patients were identified. One hundred and eleven of these patients were treated nonoperatively. Ninety patients were treated by immediate laparotomy. Eighteen patients, initially observed, underwent delayed laparotomy. One patient, not explored despite clear-cut indications for laparotomy, died of sepsis, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to the stated protocol. The negative or unnecessary laparotomy rate was 7.8%. The false-negative examination rate was 5.5%. Overall mortality rate was 2.3%. The accuracy of careful clinical evaluation and observation is comparable to, or better than, any other method currently available to identify intra-abdominal injuries in patients with abdominal stab wounds. The study suggests that selective management of stab wounds of the abdomen may be safely practiced in a smaller community hospital.