Mini-laparotomy with Adjunctive Care versus Laparoscopy for Placement of Gastric Electrical Stimulation.

We compared outcomes for two gastric electrical stimulation placement strategies, minilaparotomy with adjunctive care (MLAC) versus laparoscopy without adjunctive care (LAPA). For electrode placement, the peritoneal cavity was accessed with either a single 2.5 to 3.

Laparoscopic Heller myotomy for achalasia.

Background: Achalasia is an uncommon illness affecting 1 per 100,000 patients yearly. There is evidence to suggest viral, autoimmune, and hereditary etiologies. There are many treatment options available including medications, botulinum toxin injection, pneumatic dilation, and surgical myotomy.

Proximal sensor data from routine dual-sensor esophageal pH monitoring is often inaccurate.

Dual-sensor esophageal pH monitoring is routinely used to diagnose GERD. However, the proximal sensor may not be in proximal esophagus in patients with shortened esophagi. Our objective was to determine how often the proximal sensor was misplaced and to determine the effect on pH monitoring.

Experience with seven cases of massive splenomegaly.

Background: Laparoscopic excision of extremely large spleens has been variously reported, but the usual consensus in the literature is that any patient with a spleen anything over 3000 g is simply not a proper candidate for laparoscopy. This report details our experience with 7 patients (out of 95 operated on) with spleens ranging in size up to 4800 g.

Methods: Our operative procedure involved 3 or 4 trocars placed along a virtually semicircular line centered over the splenic hilum.

Techniques for repair of gastric prolapse after laparoscopic gastric banding.

Laparoscopic gastric banding is a valuable surgical option for treating morbidly obese patients. Its operative technique is continually being refined. Since its inception, many changes in technique have helped to reduce the complication rate.

Jaundice due to extrabiliary gallstones.

Objective: Cholecystectomy is one of the most common general surgical procedures performed today. The laparoscopic approach is beneficial to patients in terms of length of stay, postoperative pain, return to work, and cosmesis. Some drawbacks are associated with the minimal access form of cholecystectomy, including an increased incidence of common bile duct injuries.

Hypopharyngeal pH monitoring artifact in detection of laryngopharyngeal reflux.

Hypopharyngeal pH artifacts have been a concern in the detection of laryngopharyngeal reflux. Our purpose was to analyze and quantify artifacts from dual-sensor hypopharyngeal pH monitoring. In all, 42 hypopharyngeal and 58 esophageal pH studies were reviewed.