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Background: Laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (LRFA) and laparoscopic hepatic artery infusion pump (LHAIP) placement are new treatment options for patients with colorectal liver metastases. This study investigates the selection criteria, safety, efficacy, and preliminary outcomes of patients treated with LRFA and LHAIP placement. Methods: Forty five patients with colorectal metastases confined to the liver, 37 of whom had failed systemic chemotherapy, were treated with LRFA and/or LHAIP between September 1996 and December 2001. Treatment selection was individualized, based on each patient's general health, liver function, and tumor size, number, location, and distribution. Results: Twenty patients (44%) had LRFA alone, 10 (22%) had LHAIP placement alone, and 15 (33%) patients had combined LRFA and LHAIP therapy. The LRFA group had a significantly shorter mean operative time and blood loss (p <0.05), but hospital stays were similar when compared to patients receiving LRFA + LHAIP or LHAIP alone. Tumor characteristics were worse in both LHAIP groups, with a higher incidence of tumors ?4 cm, major vascular involvement, diffuse tumor pattern, bilobar distribution, and involvement of more than three segments. During a mean follow-up period of 11.5 ± 7.8 months (range, 1–38), the actuarial survival was 70%, 67%, and 50% for LRFA, LRFA + LHAIP, and LHAIP, respectively. LHAIP only patients had the shortest estimated mean survival time of the three groups by Kaplan-Meier survival curves (p = 0.001). Conclusion: LRFA and/or LHAIP placement are safe and feasible treatment options for the treatment of colorectal hepatic metastases. The choice of treatment for patients should be based primarily on tumor characteristics. Long-term studies, which will elucidate the role of these evolving treatments, are now under way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Laparoscopic antireflux surgery is frequently denied to older patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) because of a perceived higher operative complication rate, a decreased impact of the intervention on quality of life, and decreased cost effectiveness. This study compares disease severity, surgical outcomes, and impact on quality of life between elderly and young patients with GERD.Methods: Patients were selected from a prospectively maintained database of 1100 patients who underwent various laparoscopic esophageal procedures at our institution. Only patients having chronic intractable GERD and a minimum 6 months' follow-up were included in the study. Thirty elderly patients with a mean age of 71.2 years (SD +/- 5.6) were compared with a group of 30 younger patients (mean age, 43.9 +/- 12.8 years). Comparisons were made between subjective and objective outcomes, operative results, and health-related quality of life (HQRL) scores using SF-36 instruments.Results: The preoperative symptom assessment scores presenting frequency of symptoms on a 0-4 scale), and preoperative pH and manometry data were comparable in the two groups. Elderly patients had significantly higher ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) scores. Each group demonstrated a significant improvement in the postoperative symptom assessment scores and the esophageal functional studies (p<0.05). However, no significant differences were found in terms of postoperative complications, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative symptom scores, Demeester scores, or the HRQL data.Conclusion: Laparoscopic antireflux surgery in elderly patients improves acid reflux and appears to be safe and effective as measured by postoperative testing in elderly and young patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recently there has been interest in performing laparoscopic herniorrhaphies without the use of staples or tacks to fix the mesh. Although mesh fixation has been linked to an increased incidence of nerve injury and involves increased operative costs, many surgeons feel that fixation is necessary to reduce the risk of hernia recurrence. This study evaluates the outcomes of laparoscopic herniorrhapies performed with and without mesh fixation at our institution. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated our last 172 laparoscopic herniorrhaphies, which span a period of conversion from staple fixation to nonfixation of total extraperitoneal herniorrhaphies using systematic chart review and follow-up self-administered questionnaires. The outcomes assessed were the incidences of postoperative neuralgia and hernia recurrence. Adjustment for important prognostic factors was achieved using Cox regression for estimating the risk of recurrence, and multiple logistic regression for estimating the risk of neuropathic complications. Results: Of 172 laparoscopic herniorrhaphies performed in 129 patients since July 1993, 105 were accomplished without mesh fixation, and 67 were performed with fixation of mesh to the abdominal wall. There were no significant differences in demographics between the two groups. A trend toward a higher incidence of neuropathic complications was observed in the mesh-fixation group (risk ratio [RR], 2.2; 95% CI, 0.5-10). A nonsignificant increased risk of hernia recurrence with fixation of mesh was observed (4.2 vs 1.6 per 100 hernia-years at risk; RR, 2.3; 95% CI, 0.4-13.10), but this finding may be associated with a selection bias with regard to giant hernia defects. Conclusions: Our data suggest that mesh fixation to the abdominal wall may be avoided in total extraperitoneal repairs without increasing the risk of hernia recurrence and neuropathic complications. The increased risk of recurrence observed with mesh fixation possibly results from selection bias. Large randomized controlled studies are needed to determine whether mesh fixation is truly related to neuropathic complications and the incidence of recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]