Inferior vena cava filter placement for pulmonary embolism risk reduction in super morbidly obese undergoing bariatric surgery.

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a leading cause of mortality after bariatric surgery. We evaluated inferior vena cava (IVC) filter use for PE risk reduction in high-risk super morbidly obese bariatric surgery patients.

Methods: IVC filters were inserted according to the patient's risk factors, including immobility, previous deep venous thrombosis (DVT)/PE, venous stasis, and pulmonary compromise.

Comparison of conventional laparoscopic and hand-assisted oncologic segmental colonic resection.

Background: Laparoscopically assisted colon resection has evolved to be a viable option for the treatment of colorectal cancer. This study evaluates the efficacy of hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) as compared with totally laparoscopic surgery (LAP) for segmental oncologic colon resection with regard to lymph node harvest, operative times, intraoperative blood loss, pedicle length, incision length, and length of hospital stay in an attempt to help delineate the role of each in the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Methods: Patient charts were retrospectively reviewed to acquire data for this evaluation.

Bilateral laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in patients with occult contralateral inguinal defects.

Background: A high incidence of bilateral inguinal defects found on laparoscopic evaluation during hernia repair has been reported. However, expectation of bilateral inguinal defects in patients who are diagnosed with pure unilateral hernia might be underestimated. A prospective clinical study was performed to reveal a rate of contralateral occult defects in patients who were diagnosed with unilateral inguinal hernia prior to primary laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) repair.

Laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair with human acellular dermal matrix patch: our initial experience.

Background: The laparoscopic repair of large hiatal hernia followed by an antireflux procedure is currently the gold standard therapy for gastroesophgeal reflux disease. However, it is recognized that recurrent hiatal herniation and wrap migration are major sources of operative failures in these patients. Some have described a reduction of such events with the placement of nonbiodegradable prosthetic patches over the primary cruroplasty.

Role of endoluminal techniques in treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux disease.

This chapter addresses emergent endoluminal technologies available currently for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). To date, the mainstay of GERD therapy has been achieved with either open or laparoscopic fundoplication, or life-long medical treatment. Endoluminal treatment modalities attempt to augment the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) function by various techniques.

Factors influencing surgical career decisions.

Objective: The purpose of this project is to evaluate factors that residents consider when choosing a career in surgery or a surgical subspecialty. Once these factors are identified, surgical residency programs may use the information in their recruiting efforts to attract the most qualified applicants for postgraduate surgical training.

Design: A descriptive survey consisting of 20 questions was conducted.

Evaluation of pulmonary arterial catheter parameters utilizing intermittent pneumatic compression boots in congestive heart failure.

The use of intermittent pneumatic compression boots to reduce the risk of deep venous thrombosis is contraindicated in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) due to a theoretical increase in venous return to the heart and exacerbation of heart failure. This study evaluates intermittent pneumatic compression effects on pulmonary artery catheter parameters in CHF patients. We conducted a prospective within-patient study of CHF patients monitored by pulmonary artery catheterization.