Laparoscopic bowel resection in the presence of a lumbo-peritoneal shunt: a rare case.

The presence of a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt was previously considered a contra-indication to laparoscopic surgery, however, case reports appeared that describe laparoscopic surgery proceeding with no adverse outcomes in such patients. The majority of these reports relate to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Here we present what we believe to be only the second report of a patient undergoing laparoscopic bowel resection in the presence of a lumbo-peritoneal shunt.

Airway pressure release ventilation and biphasic positive airway pressure: a systematic review of definitional criteria.

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the definitional criteria for the pressure-limited and time-cycled modes: airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) and biphasic positive airway pressure (BIPAP) available in the published literature.

Design: Systematic review.

Methods: Medline, PubMed, Cochrane, and CINAHL databases (1982-2006) were searched using the following terms: APRV, BIPAP, Bilevel and lung protective strategy, individually and in combination.