Must Clinics Replace 2D by 3D Environments for an Efficient Training of Laparoscopic Novices? A Critical Analysis of the Learning Curve for Basic Skills.

Background And Aims: Published studies repeatedly demonstrate an advantage of three-dimensional (3D) laparoscopic surgery over two-dimensional (2D) systems but with quite heterogeneous results. This raises the question whether clinics must replace 2D technologies to ensure effective training of future surgeons.

Methods: We recruited 45 students with no experience in laparoscopic surgery and comparable characteristics in terms of vision and frequency of video game usage.

[Reliability of DRG Routine Data to Analyse Treatment Outcome and Complications of Thyroid Surgery. A Critical Analysis of Data of Patient Records Compared to Administrative Data].

Introduction: Quality assurance of the thyroid surgery has been an important part of the work of the endocrine surgeon. For most analyses, data from register files or studies have been used. Administrative data taken from routine data are increasingly used in quality assurance for evaluation.

[Morbidity and Mortality of Single Incision Cholecystectomy: Results of a 3-Year Register Analysis].

Introduction: Two decades ago, single-incision surgery was established as a new concept in minimally invasive surgery. Single incision cholecystectomy is the most frequently performed procedure in clinical routine. Most of the results have been based on randomised trials.

[Factors Affecting Long-Term Cosmetic Results after Minimally Invasive Video-Assisted Thyroidectomy and Conventional Thyroid Surgery].

Introduction: Approximately 90,000 thyroid operations are performed in Germany each year. Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) accounts for 5 - 10% of these operations. There are few data that compare long-term cosmetic results after MIVAT to those after conventional surgery.

Clinical Health Service Research on the Surgical Therapy of Acute Appendicitis: Comparison of Outcomes Based on 3 German Multicenter Quality Assurance Studies Over 21 Years.

Objective: The treatment of acute appendicitis has seen changes in diagnosis and therapy in Germany. The objective of this analysis was to assess changes in therapy and outcome after open appendectomy (OA) and laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) over the last 21 years.

Background: The analysis was based on 3 prospective multicenter quality assurance studies conducted by the Institute for Quality Control in Operative Medicine of the University of Magdeburg.

Prognostic factors assessed for 15,096 patients with colon cancer in stages I and II.

Background: We focused on the risk factors for poor outcome after curative resection of a colon cancer in UICC stages I and II based on the data of the Germany-wide quality assurance study "colon/rectum cancer (primary tumor)." In some countries, all stage II colon cancer patients are encouraged to participate in a clinical trial. We feel that this approach is too broad.

Intraluminal resection of gastric tumors using intragastric trocar technique.

Introduction: We are presenting our experiences with combined laparoscopic and endoscopic approaches applied to the minimally invasive intragastric resection of the gastric tumors.

Patients And Method: We performed the above-mentioned combined intragastric resection in 7 patients. The intragastric resection is only used with posterior gastric wall tumors and tumors located near the cardia and the pylorus.

Long-term cosmetic results after minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy.

Background: Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) has been performed in the authors' department since 2004. Many authors have described some of its advantages over conventional surgery in terms of cosmetic results. The published literature on this topic variously describes the average central incision as 1 to 3 cm.

Current analysis of endoloops in appendiceal stump closure.

Background: An inadequate closure of the appendix stump leads to intra-abdominal surgical site infection. The effectiveness of various appendiceal stump closure methods, for instance, staplers or endoloops, was evaluated. Many analyses show that the use of a stapler for transection and closure of the appendiceal stump lowers the risk of this infection but a statistically significant risk of postoperative intra-abdominal abscess or wound infection was not considered in any randomized study.

Laparoscopic distal pancreatic resection: our own experience in the treatment of solid tumors.

A laparoscopic resection is a new treatment for pancreatic tumors. Articles by surgeons who are writing about their first experience in carrying out this treatment have appeared in the literature, reporting that laparoscopic surgery can be used for the treatment of pancreatitis, benign lesions, and solid tumors. This is a study of three patients with pancreatic tumors who were treated by means of a laparoscopic distal pancreatic resection with preservation of the spleen and splenic vessels.