Open abdominal surgery: a risk factor for future laparoscopic surgery?

Background: This study seeks to investigate the outcomes of laparoscopic procedures in patients with previous open abdominal surgery.

Methods: Using data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (2005 to 2009), we identified patients who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy, Nissen fundoplication, Heller myotomy, splenectomy, Roux-en-Y, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric band, appendectomy, or colectomy. Patients were then classified as to whether adhesiolysis (AD) was also carried out.

Laparoscopic Repair of Sportman's Hernia - The Trinidad Experience.

Sportman's hernia: (Athletic pubalgia) is an uncommon and poorly understood condition afflicting athletic individuals. Sufferers complain of chronic groin pain and often present diagnostic dilemmas to physicians and physiotherapists. We present a series of cases illustrating the varying presentations of sportman's hernia and diagnostic approaches that can be utilized to exclude common differentials.

Racial/ethnic disparities in amputation and revascularization: a nationwide inpatient sample study.

This study investigates whether ethnic minorities presenting with critical limb ischemia (CLI) are more likely to undergo major limb amputation compared to white patients. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was used to identify all patients admitted with CLI; lower extremity revascularization; and major lower extremity amputation from 1998 to 2005. The NIS identified 240 139 patients presenting with CLI--68.

Portal vein thrombosis following laparoscopic cholecystectomy complicated by dengue viral infection: a case report.

Introduction: Portal vein thrombosis is an uncommon post-operative complication following abdominal surgery. Although therapeutic anticoagulation is recommended, this treatment may be questionable when the patient has an associated bleeding diathesis.

Case Presentation: We report a case of a 63-year-old woman of Asian Indian ethnicity who developed portal vein thrombosis following an uneventful laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstones.

Negative appendectomy: a 10-year review of a nationally representative sample.

Background: Appendectomy remains one of the most common emergency surgical procedures encountered throughout the United States. With improvements in diagnostic techniques, the efficiency of diagnosis has increased over the years. However, the entity of negative appendectomies still poses a dilemma because these are associated with unnecessary risks and costs to both patients and institutions.

Laparoscopic splenectomy in a minimal resource setting: a case series from the Caribbean.

This study examines the perioperative outcome of laparoscopic splenectomy in a minimal resources setting in the Caribbean. Seventeen consecutive patients who underwent elective laparoscopic splenectomies by a single surgeon from August 2003 to December 2008 were studied. Data collected included patients' demographics, indications for surgery, operative time, complications, and outcome.

Bariatric surgery in the management of childhood obesity: should there be an age limit?

We report a case of a 6-year-old girl suffering from morbid obesity, Blount;s disease, and significant social and functional impairment who underwent a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. One year later, she has shown remarkable improvement in all aspects of her health emphasizing the success of the procedure. A follow-up laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) are options if she regains weight as she gets older.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the esophagus.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms that account for 0.2% of all GI neoplasms. We report a case of a 62-year-old male with a large esophageal GIST, and discuss the pathophysiology of the disease and the current management principles.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: analysis of 619 consecutive cases in a Caribbean setting.

Introduction: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the gold standard in the definitive treatment of symptomatic gall bladder disease. It boasts superior morbidity and mortality and lower complication rates than open approaches.

Aim: This study outlines the experiences associated with 619 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed in Trinidad.

Quality of life before and after laparoscopic Heller procedures--a Caribbean perspective.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the symptoms and quality of life before and after laparoscopic Heller myotomy within a Caribbean population.

Method: Sixteen patients who were treated by the same surgeon were polled. The procedure was laparoscopic Heller myotomy with or without concomitant fundoplication.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in sickle cell disease patients: does operating time matter?

Objectives: To report the experience of performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients suffering from sickle cell disease (SCD), and to assess if their postoperative complications can be minimized by shortening the operating time.

Methods: Strict measures were taken to minimize the operating times and duration of pneumoperitoneum in SCD patients undergoing LC. Data collected included demographics, preoperative haemoglobin, the surgical technique used, operating times, insufflation pressures, perioperative complications and hospital length of stay.