Single port/incision laparoscopic surgery compared with standard three-port laparoscopic surgery for appendicectomy: a randomized controlled trial.

Background And Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of single port/incision laparoscopic surgery (SPILS) with standard three-port laparoscopic surgery for appendicectomy in adults. Feasibility data was collected to evaluate generalizability to other single-port techniques such as cholecystectomy.

Methods: This was a single-center, randomized controlled trial.

Changing trends in surgery for Graves' disease: a cohort comparison of those having surgery intended to preserve thyroid function with those having ablative surgery.

Background: Surgery for Graves' disease may be performed with the intent of preserving thyroid function (subtotal thyroidectomy) or ablating thyroid function (total thyroidectomy). This study examines the evolving practice in a specialist endocrine surgical unit.

Method: Longitudinal cohort study of patients undergoing surgery for Graves' disease between 1986 and 2008.

Single port/incision laparoscopic surgery compared with standard three-port laparoscopic surgery for appendicectomy - a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Laparoscopic surgery has become the preferred approach for many procedures because of reduced post-operative pain, better recovery, shorter hospital stay and improved cosmesis. Single incision laparoscopic surgery is one of the many recent variants where either standard ports or a specially designed single multi-channel port is introduced through a single skin incision. While the cosmetic advantage of this is obvious, the evidence base for claims of reduced morbidity and better post-operative recovery is weak.

Quality of life after surgery for Graves' disease: comparison of those having surgery intended to preserve thyroid function with those having ablative surgery.

Background: Postoperative quality of life (QoL) after surgery for Graves' disease is not well documented, and the effect of different surgical operations has not been compared. This study examines the impact on QoL of a shift in policy from operations intended to preserve thyroid function (PF) to those ablating thyroid function (AF).

Methods: A cross-sectional assessment was performed on patients who underwent surgery for Graves' disease between 1986 and 2008 in a tertiary endocrine surgical unit.

Medical versus surgical management for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) in adults.

Background: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a common condition with up to 20% of patients from Westernised countries experiencing heartburn, reflux or both intermittently. It is unclear whether medical or surgical (laparoscopic fundoplication) management is the most clinically and cost-effective treatment for controlling GORD.

Objectives: To compare the effects of medical management versus laparoscopic fundoplication surgery on health-related and GORD-specific quality of life (QOL) in adults with GORD.

Minimal access surgery compared with medical management for chronic gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: UK collaborative randomised trial.

Objective: To determine the relative benefits and risks of laparoscopic fundoplication surgery as an alternative to long term drug treatment for chronic gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).

Design: Multicentre, pragmatic randomised trial (with parallel preference groups).

Setting: 21 hospitals in the United Kingdom.

Quality of life and chronic pain four years after gastrointestinal surgery.

Purpose: Little is known about the prevalence of chronic postsurgical pain after gastrointestinal surgery. This study was designed to assess the prevalence of chronic pain and quality of life in a cohort of patients who underwent surgery for benign and malignant gastrointestinal disease.

Methods: A prospective cohort design was used to assess quality of life and morbidity at four years postoperatively in 435 patients who had upper, hepatopancreaticobiliary, small-bowel, and/or colorectal anastomotic surgery in 1999 at one regional center in Northeast Scotland.

A review of chronic pain after inguinal herniorrhaphy.

Background: Chronic pain was believed to be a recognized but infrequent complication after inguinal hernia repair. Evidence suggests that patients with chronic pain place a considerable burden on health services. However, few scientific data on chronic pain after this common elective operation are available.