Open intraperitoneal mesh repair for umbilical hernias. A technical note.

Background: Mesh techniques are the preferable methods for repair of small ventral hernias, including umbilical and epigastric hernias, as primary suture repair shows high recurrence rates. Recently, the Ventralex (Davol Inc., C.

Outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Belgium: what are we waiting for?

Background: The current advances and expertise in minimally invasive surgery and the present importance of cost containment have encouraged the performance of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) as an ambulatory procedure. A retrospective study was carried out to assess the feasibility, outcome and patients' preference and satisfaction after performing true day-case LC in a university teaching hospital.

Methods: All patients admitted consecutively between January 2003 and March 2005 for LC were considered for inclusion in the study.