Laparoscopic-assisted peritoneal dialysis catheter placement, an improvement on the single trocar technique.

In 2002, Ochsner laparoscopic surgeons and nephrologists began placing peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheters via a laparoscopic-assisted method. We compared laparoscopically placed PD catheters (LAPD) with catheters most recently placed without laparoscopic aid (STPD). The method for this study is a retrospective chart review.

A comparison of methylene blue and lymphazurin in breast cancer sentinel node mapping.

Background: When lymphazurin became unavailable to our institution, we elected to employ methylene blue to perform sentinel node mapping for patients with breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to compare methylene blue and lymphazurin for performing sentinel node mapping for breast cancer.

Methods: We evaluated our sentinel node mapping experience from April 1, 2001 to March 31, 2002.