Are major laparoscopic pancreatic resections worthwhile? A prospective study of 32 patients in a single institution.

Background: Laparoscopic surgery has been used increasingly as a less invasive alternative to conventional open surgery. Recently, laparoscopic therapy for pancreatic diseases has made significant strides. The current investigation studied pancreatic resection by laparoscopy.

Laparoscopic and open gastric resections for malignant lesions: a prospective comparative study.

Background: Whereas laparoscopy for benign diseases provides clear advantages over traditional surgery, the benefits of laparoscopic gastric resection for malignant diseases are less clear. The objectives of this study were to compare prospectively the clinical outcomes between completely laparoscopic and open total and partial gastrectomies for malignant diseases and to assess whether laparoscopic gastrectomies obtain adequate margins and follow oncologic principles.

Methods: Between April 1995 and March 2004, a prospective comparative study was performed comparing eight patients who underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy with 11 patients who underwent open total gastrectomy, and 16 patients who underwent laparoscopic partial gastrectomy with 17 who patients underwent open partial gastrectomy.

Completely laparoscopic total and partial gastrectomy for benign and malignant diseases: a single institute's prospective analysis.

Background: Laparoscopic surgery for gastrointestinal benign disease has gained worldwide acceptance; totally laparoscopic surgery for malignant diseases remains controversial. The purposes of this study were to examine prospectively our experience with laparoscopic gastric resections, to evaluate the surgical outcomes, and to discuss the role of these procedures in the treatment of benign and malignant diseases of the stomach. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest prospective study of totally laparoscopic total and partial gastrectomies in Western countries.

Laparoscopic surgery: A pioneer's point of view.

For a surgeon who performed some of the first laparoscopic cholecystectomies, laparoscopic surgery is undoubtedly the main revolution in the last decade of this century. It is impossible not to be fascinated by the extraordinary changes introduced in our profession in less than 10 years. However, looking back in history, one realizes that laparoscopy is but one of those leaps forward that have always punctuated the evolution of our profession.