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Background: Controversy exists over the necessity of performing a concurrent antireflux procedure with a Heller myotomy. We therefore sought to objectively analyze gastroesophageal reflux following laparoscopic Heller myotomy where an antireflux procedure was not performed.Methods: A prospective database of 66 cases of laparoscopic Heller myotomy performed between November 1996 and June 2002 was reviewed. Previous, concurrent, or subsequent fundoplication was performed in 12 patients; therefore 54 patients without antireflux procedures were available for analysis. Follow-up included symptomatic assessment in 50 patients (93%). Heartburn was assessed on a four-point scale with clinical significance defined as >2 episodes/week. Objective testing, including endoscopy, esophagogram, manometry, and 24-h pH monitoring, was offered to all patients. Objective evidence of reflux was defined as the composite endpoint of positive 24-h pH monitoring or esophagitis on endoscopy.Results: Significant heartburn was reported in 15 of 50 patients (30%). Positive 24-h pH recordings were seen in 11 of 22 patients tested while esophagitis was seen in 13 of 21 patients tested, resulting in objective evidence of reflux in 18 of 30 patients tested (60%). Of these 18 patients, seven did not have significant heartburn. All 12 patients without objective reflux did not have significant heartburn. Therefore, of the 30 patients with objective testing, seven (23%) had objective reflux without subjective heartburn (silent reflux).Conclusion: Objective analysis reveals an unacceptable rate of gastroesophageal reflux in laparoscopic Heller myotomy without an antireflux procedure. We therefore recommend performing a concurrent antireflux procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This purpose of this study was to examine whether survival is affected when laparoscopic resections for colorectal cancer are converted to open surgery.Methods: A prospective database of 377 consecutive laparoscopic resections for colorectal cancer performed between November 1991 and June 2002 was reviewed. The TNM classification for colorectal cancer and the Kaplan-Meier method were used to determine survival curves for each group.Results: Conversion to an open procedure was required in 46 cases (12.8%). Converted and laparoscopic groups were similar in age, sex, comorbidities, and location and size of tumor. The converted group had a significantly higher weight (75 kg vs 69 kg, p = 0.013) and conversion score (2.18 vs. 1.87, p = 0.005). Patients with stage IV disease were significantly more likely to be converted than those with stage I-III disease (23.0% vs 11.2%, p = 0.04). There was no difference in the conversion rate between patients with stage I (14%), II (8%), or III (13%) colorectal cancers. Median follow-up was 30.5 months for stage I-III and 10.8 months for stage IV cancers. There were 190 patients followed at least 2 years and 73 patients followed at least 5 years. Survival curves demonstrate significantly lower 2-year survival after converted procedures as compared to laparoscopic (75.7% vs 87.2%, p = 0.02), with a trend toward lower 5-year survival (61.9% vs 69.7%, p = 0.077).Conclusions: Survival rates at 2 and 5 years are lower for patients in the converted group compared to patients with LR. This finding could have serious impact on the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer. Further confirmation is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The authors reviewed their experience with laparoscopic nephrectomy for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease to evaluate whether patient-related or surgery-related factors influence operative outcomes.Methods: A retrospective review was carried out of 22 consecutive laparoscopic nephrectomies performed by one surgeon in a university setting between March 1998 and March 2003. The impact of patient factors (body mass index, preoperative hemoglobin level, preoperative blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, kidney size and side, prior abdominal surgery, dialysis) and surgical factors (surgeon experience and preoperative embolization) on short-term outcomes (estimated blood loss, transfusion requirements, operative time, conversion, intra- and postoperative complications and length of stay) was analyzed using the Student's t-test, Pearson correlation, and Mann-Whitney and Fisher tests.Results: A total of 19 patients underwent 22 nephrectomies. The average patient age was 49 years (range, 36-65 years) and the average body mass index was 31.4 kg/m2 (range, 20.4-64.5 kg/m2). Fourteen patients (68%) were receiving dialysis. Fifteen right (68%) and 7 left (32%) nephrectomies were performed. The median kidney size was 22 cm (range, 8-50 cm). Five patients (23%) had preoperative embolization. The median operative time was 255 min (range, 95-415 min). There were no mortalities. The intraoperative complication rate was 18% (1 vena cava laceration, 1 cecal perforation, 1 dialysis fistula thrombosis, 1 intrarenal bleeding requiring conversion), and the postoperative complication rate was 32% (1 myocardial infarction, 1 urgent laparotomy for clinical peritonitis, 1 minor bile fistula, 1 AV fistula thrombosis, 2 incisional hernias, 1 urinary retention). Four procedures (18%) were converted (1 for vena cava laceration, 1 for cecal perforation, 1 for intrarenal bleeding, 1 for adhesions). The median blood loss was 400 ml (range, 100-5000 ml). Eight patients (36%) received transfusions (median, 2 units). The median length of stay was 4 days. The patients who required blood transfusions had lower preoperative hemoglobin levels. Preoperative embolization did not affect surgical outcome. However, surgeon experience significantly reduced operative time.Conclusions: Laparoscopic nephrectomy for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is a safe procedure, providing patients with a short hospital stay. Complication and conversion rates are relatively high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a comparison of hand-helped laparoscopic surgery (HALS) with open surgery for colorectal resections. A difference in surgical site infections (SSI) rates is stated to be one of the main points supporting the validity of the study. It is stated that the result of the study could have significant impact on surgical practice.