Adrenal ganglioneuromas: incidentalomas with misleading clinical and imaging features.

Background: Ganglioneuromas are benign neoplasms of the neural crest, occurring rarely in the adrenal glands. This study presents our experience regarding diagnostic and therapeutic management of these neoplasms and a review of the relevant literature.

Methods: Among 150 patients with of incidentalomas, we had 7 primary ganglioneuromas.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in morbidly obese patients. Technique and short term results.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) as a definitive procedure for morbidly obese patients.

Design: This constitutes a prospective study carried out in a tertiary care private hospital and included 15 morbidly obese patients who underwent LSG. The operation was performed through two 12 mm and two 5 mm ports, using the Endo-GIA stapler to create a lesser curve gastric tube over a 36-Fr bougie.

Reinforcement does not necessarily reduce the rate of staple line leaks after sleeve gastrectomy. A review of the literature and clinical experiences.

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is an accepted bariatric procedure, with an advantaged by a low complication rate. A feared complication is stapler line leak. Buttressing materials have been suggested as a means of reducing staple line leak rates.

Laparoscopic management of complicated appendicitis.

Background: Complicated appendicitis is associated with a significant risk of postoperative morbidity, making the value of the minimally invasive approach controversial.

Methods: From January 2000 to October 2004, 42 patients with complicated appendicitis were categorized into 3 groups: Group 1--perforation, Group 2-abscess formation, and Group 3--generalized peritonitis. The conversion rate, the operative time, the mean hospital stay, the postoperative abdominal and wound infections, the return to oral intake, and the late obstructive complications were analyzed in relation to clinicopathological subgroupings.

Laparoscopic management of a ruptured giant epidermoid splenic cyst.

Background: Epidermoid splenic cysts are uncommon lesions of the spleen. They are known to become symptomatic as a consequence of enlargement, infection, or rupture, the latter being an exceedingly rare complication traditionally treated with open splenectomy. We herein report a unique case of a giant epidermoid splenic cyst that ruptured spontaneously and was successfully treated with the laparoscopic approach.

Use of a diathermy system in thyroid surgery.

Hypothesis: New hemostatic methods have been widely used in open and laparoscopic surgery. The LigaSure Precise diathermy system (Valleylab, Boulder, Colo) has been recently used in thyroid surgery. We hypothesized that its use could lead to reduced operative time and fewer complications compared with conventional knot tying in total or near-total thyroidectomy.