Preoperative planning of surgery for deeply infiltrating endometriosis using the ENZIAN classification.

Objective: To use the ENZIAN classification for preoperative estimation of laparoscopic operating time in patients with deeply infiltrating endometriosis (DIE).

Study Design: Retrospective study of women with DIE (n=151) who underwent laparoscopic surgery.

Results: 151 of 470 patients had DIE (n=205 lesions) exclusively in compartments A (rectovaginal septum, vagina), B (sacrouterine ligament to the pelvic wall) and C (rectum, sigmoid colon).

[Diagnosis of acute appendicitis over two decades - effects of increasing number of imaging procedures on costs, preoperative reliability and patient outcome].

Background: An increasing number of modern imaging procedures are being applied for the diagnosis of appendicitis. We compared one hundred consecutive appendectomies of the years 1988, 1998 and 2008 concerning reliability of preoperative diagnosis and resulting costs.

Methods: We analysed the first one hundred consecutive patients undergoing appendectomy during the years 1988, 1998 and 2008, 59 % were female and 41 % male.

Conversion in laparoscopic cholecystectomy in low versus high-volume hospitals: is there a difference?

Background: Contraindications to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) have diminished over the last decade but still conversion rate is about 5% to 6% in elective cases and higher in acute cholecystitis.

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze whether the conversion rate is related to low (100 LC/y) versus high-volume hospitals (HVHs; >300 LC/y).

Methods: From 1999 to 2004, operations were performed in a low-volume hospital (LVH) and a HVH, divided into 3 groups: primary open cholecystectomy (OC), LC, and conversion (CC).

EAES recommendations on methodology of innovation management in endoscopic surgery.

Background: Under the mandate of the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) a guideline on methodology of innovation management in endoscopic surgery has been developed. The primary focus of this guideline is patient safety, efficacy, and effectiveness.

Methods: An international expert panel was invited to develop recommendations for the assessment and introduction of surgical innovations.