Aortic injury during laparoscopic fundoplication: an underreported complication.

Background: Advances in video equipment, instrumentation, and laparoscopic skills have enabled the performance of an increasing variety of procedures using minimally invasive techniques. Additionally, the public is more aware of the benefits of laparoscopic surgery, including decreased postoperative pain and shortened recovery period. Surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is blossoming as a result.

Cosmetic minilaparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Background: Since its introduction in 1987, the technique of laparoscopic cholecystectomy has continued to undergo evolution. One area of refinement has been the optimization of cosmetic results. Surgeons have reduced port size and number or both in attempts to achieve this goal.

Three-port microlaparoscopic cholecystectomy in 159 patients.

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has undergone many refinements including reductions in port size and number. This study attempts to determine whether further reduction in port size from that previously reported by us can reduce postoperative pain without compromising the efficacy of the surgery.

Methods: In this study, 159 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with three ports: one 5-mm umbilical port, one 3-mm subxiphoid port, and one 3-mm port in the right subcostal position.

A comparison of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and Rossetti's modification in 239 patients.

Background: Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and the Rossetti modification represent two different surgical approaches to resolving gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Concerns have arisen that the Rossetti modification results in increased postoperative dysphagia. In this study, we compared a group of patients who underwent a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication with a group who had undergone the Rossetti modification to determine if there was a significant difference in postoperative dysphagia.

Minimizing ports to improve laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Background: Minimizing the number and scope of ports used to perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy attempts to build on the improvements in postoperative pain control, rapid return to activity and work, patient satisfaction, and cosmetic result achieved by the laparoscopic method.

Methods: We studied 141 patients in two sequential studies: the first a prospective randomized trial with 41 patients, and the second an examination of the more minimal procedure in 100 patients. In the randomized trial, patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with three ports: three 5-mm ports or two 10-mm ports and one 5-mm port.