The Impact of Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation on Pain Levels and Functionality in Patients With Chronic Postsurgical Knee Pain.

Background: Chronic postsurgical pain is a considerable source of disabling neuropathic pain. Rates of knee replacement surgeries are increasing, and many patients report chronic postsurgical pain in their wake. When conventional therapies prove ineffective, neuromodulation options such as dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRGS) may be used.

Prevention of Incisional Hernias with Biological Mesh: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Background: Prophylactic mesh-augmented reinforcement during closure of abdominal wall incisions has been proposed in patients with increased risk for development of incisional hernias (IHs). As part of the BioMesh consensus project, a systematic literature review has been performed to detect those studies where MAR was performed with a non-permanent absorbable mesh (biological or biosynthetic).

Methods: A computerized search was performed within 12 databases (Embase, Medline, Web-of-Science, Scopus, Cochrane, CINAHL, Pubmed publisher, Lilacs, Scielo, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, Google Scholar) with appropriate search terms.

Past, Present, and Future of Minimally Invasive Abdominal Surgery.

Laparoscopic surgery has generated a revolution in operative medicine during the past few decades. Although strongly criticized during its early years, minimization of surgical trauma and the benefits of minimization to the patient have been brought to our attention through the efforts and vision of a few pioneers in the recent history of medicine. The German gynecologist Kurt Semm (1927-2003) transformed the use of laparoscopy for diagnostic purposes into a modern therapeutic surgical concept, having performed the first laparoscopic appendectomy, inspiring Erich Mühe and many other surgeons around the world to perform a wide spectrum of procedures by minimally invasive means.

Endovascular vs Open Aneurysm Repair in the Young: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Purpose: To examine the results of elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in young patients (<70 years old) and compare the outcome of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and open surgical repair (OSR) techniques.

Methods: The MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and OpenGray databases were searched from January 2000 to March 2015. Periprocedural (30-day mortality and morbidity, length of hospitalization) and long-term outcomes (long-term mortality, rate of secondary procedures) were compared between young patients undergoing EVAR and OSR.

Meta-analysis of randomized trials comparing nonpenetrating vs mechanical mesh fixation in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

Background: Evidence for open groin hernia repair demonstrates less pain with bioglue mesh fixation compared with invasive methods. This study aimed to assess the short- and long-term effects of laparoscopic groin hernia repair with noninvasive and invasive mesh fixation.

Data Sources: A systematic review of MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and OpenGrey was undertaken.

Volume and methodological quality of randomized controlled trials in laparoscopic surgery: assessment over a 10-year period.

Background: Measures have been taken to improve methodological quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). This review systematically assessed the trends in volume and methodological quality of RCTs on minimally invasive surgery within a 10-year period.

Data Sources: RCTs on minimally invasive surgery were searched in the 10 most cited general surgical journals and the 5 most cited journals of laparoscopic interest for the years 2002 and 2012.

Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy with curved versus linear instruments assessed by systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized trials.

Background: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery poses significant ergonomic limitations. Curved instruments have been developed in order to address the issue of lack of triangulation. Direct comparison between single-incision laparoscopic surgeries with conventional linear and curved instruments has not been performed to date.

Laparoscopic augmentation of the diaphragmatic hiatus with biologic mesh versus suture repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Laparoscopic repair of large hiatal hernias is associated with high recurrence rates. Erosion and mesh migration are rare but devastating complications of synthetic mesh repair, whereas reoperation is accompanied by significant operative morbidity. The aim of this study was to estimate the comparative risk of hernia recurrence following primary suture or biologic mesh repair.

Laparoscopic versus open obesity surgery: a meta-analysis of pulmonary complications.

The clinical effects of laparoscopy in the pulmonary function of obese patients have been poorly investigated in the past. A systematic review was undertaken, with the objective to identify published evidence on pulmonary complications in laparoscopic surgery in the obese. Outcome measures included pulmonary morbidity, pulmonary infection and mortality.

Meta-analysis of laparoscopic vs open cholecystectomy in elderly patients.

Aim: To investigate the comparative effect of laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy in elderly patients.

Methods: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has induced a revolution in the treatment of gallbladder disease. Nevertheless, surgeons have been reluctant to implement the concepts of minimally invasive surgery in older patients.

Stenting for Emergency Colorectal Obstruction: An Analysis of 204 Patients in Relation to Predictors of Failure and Complications.

Background And Aims: Self-expanding metallic stents are increasingly used in the management of malignant and benign colorectal obstructions. We aimed to identify relevant predictive factors for stent failure and stent-related complications.

Material And Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center analysis of 204 consecutive patients who underwent emergency colorectal stenting procedures because of symptomatic bowel obstructions from 1996 to 2011 at the Sisters of Charity Hospital Linz, Austria.

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery confers lower mortality in the elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 66,483 patients.

Background: Increasing life expectancy requires specific attention on geriatric patients. Data support a potential reduction of surgical morbidity for patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery as compared to conventional surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the comparative effect of laparoscopic and open colorectal surgery on geriatric patients.

Is laparoscopic ileocecal resection a safe option for Crohn's disease? Best evidence topic.

A best evidence topic was constructed according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether laparoscopic ileocecal resection for Crohn's disease is associated with higher morbidity rates in comparison to open surgery. From a total of 123 articles, 11 studies provided the best available evidence on this topic.

Transabdominal preperitoneal versus totally extraperitoneal repair of inguinal hernia: a meta-analysis of randomized studies.

Background: The aim of the present study was to comparatively evaluate the outcomes of laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair and totally extraperitoneal repair.

Methods: The electronic databases of Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched, and a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials was undertaken.

Results: Seven studies comprising 516 patients with 538 inguinal hernia defects were identified.

Meta-analysis of laparoscopic versus open repair of perforated peptic ulcer.

Background And Objectives: Laparoscopic treatment of perforated peptic ulcer (PPU) has been introduced as an alternative procedure to open surgery. It has been postulated that the minimally invasive approach involves less operative stress and results in decreased morbidity and mortality.

Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized trials to test this hypothesis.

Blunt versus bladed trocars in laparoscopic surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.

Background: Trocar-associated visceral injuries are rare but potentially fatal complications of laparoscopic access. More commonly, abdominal wall bleeding occurs, which usually requires hemostatic measures and prolongs operative time. Blunt-tipped trocars have been postulated to carry a lower risk of abdominal wall bleeding and intra-abdominal injuries.

Lower recurrence rates after mesh-reinforced versus simple hiatal hernia repair: a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

Mesh hiatoplasty has been postulated to reduce recurrence rates, it is however prone to esophageal stricture, and early-term and mid-term dysphagia. The present meta-analysis was designed to compare the outcome between mesh-reinforced and primary hiatal hernia repair. The databases of Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched; only randomized controlled trials entered the meta-analytical model.

Mesh-reinforced hiatal hernia repair: a review on the effect on postoperative dysphagia and recurrence.

Purpose: The objective of the present study was to review the pertinent literature and analyze the evidence for and against the use of mesh for hiatal hernia repair, with a focus on the effects on recurrence and postoperative dysphagia.

Methods: A literature search was performed between January 1990 and March 2010. Studies were considered for inclusion, provided (1) they comprised a series of at least 20 patients, (2) they documented a follow-up period of at least 6 months, (3) they reported on the outcome as expressed by hernia recurrence rates, and (4) they reported on type of mesh material, hiatal closure, and antireflux surgery.