The Comparison of Balloon and Camera Dissection of the Preperitoneal Space in Totally Extraperitoneal Repair Hernia Repair. Our Initial Experience!

Purpose. To perform totally extraperitoneal repair of a hernia, it is essential to create a working space for the placement of instruments. In this study, we aimed to compare balloon dissection (BD) and camera or telescopic dissection (CD) with respect to the surgical outcomes, without considering the cost-effectiveness. Methods. Forty consecutive, healthy, unilateral inguinal hernia patients who underwent Totally Extraperitoneal Repair hernia repair were randomized into 2 groups according to whether they received BD or CD. The perioperative demographic characteristics were recorded. All the operations were video recorded from the beginning to the end of each procedure. The virtually constructed periods of the procedures were evaluated by another surgeon who watched each video. The time spent for each period, the severity score assigned by the surgeon, the total operation time, the peritoneal laceration rate, the presence of early and late postoperative pain, the number of postoperative visits, the total analgesic requirements, and the complications were recorded. Results. The demographic properties of the patients, the perioperative and postoperative complications, and the severity scores in the BD and CD groups were statistically similar. The total operating time and the time from the dissection of the peritoneum to the reduction of the hernia sac were significantly longer in the CD group. Post-discharge analgesic consumption, Visual Analog Scale scores, and the number of visits were similar between the groups. Conclusions. The dissection of the working space in the preperitoneal area can be achieved using camera dissection without the risk of common complications associated with balloon dissection, particularly balloon rupture.

Videoscopic total extraperitoneal approach to an adult patient with undescended testicle accompanied by a contra-lateral inguinal hernia.

A 22 year-old male patient was admitted to our clinic with complaints of swelling and pain at the left groin area as well as inability to palpate his right testicle. The patient was diagnosed as right undescended testicle accompanied by left indirect inguinal hernia. According to the scrotal Doppler ultrasonography the right undescended testicle was localized in the inguinal canal very close to the inner ring. As totally extra peritoneal (TEP) approach is widely used for inguinal hernia repair by hernia surgeons, the same technique was planned for both inguinal hernia repair and orchiectomy simultaneously. Using videoscopic TEP approach, left inguinal hernia repair and right prophylactic inguinal hernia repair with polypropylene mesh was carried out following successful laparoscopic right orchiectomy. In patients with undescended testicle who are indicated for orchiectomy and accompanied by inguinal hernia, videoscopic TEP operation is a safe procedure, also providing the oppurtunity for prophylactic hernia repair at the orchiectomy site.

Treatment of hepatic hydatid disease complications using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedures.

BACKGROUND: Liver hydatidosis may lead to serious morbidity due to biliary complications, the management for which endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) and biliary drainage are very efficient. We evaluated the effectiveness of endoscopic treatment for complications of hepatic hydatid disease. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures performed between January 2000 and December 2009 and compared laboratory findings, localization of the lesions and ERCP procedures applied between patients with and without jaundice. RESULTS: In all, 70 ERCP procedures were performed in 54 patients (24 men, 30 women). Of the 70 procedures, 24 were performed to treat jaundice. All patients with biliary fistulas and jaundice were managed with endoscopic procedures. The 70 ERCP procedures included sphincterotomy only (n = 40); sphincterotomy and stent placement (n = 7); stent placement only (n = 4); sphincterotomy and membrane extraction (n = 9); sphincterotomy, membrane extraction and pus drainage (n = 5); and sphincterotomy and pus drainage (n = 5). Laboratory results improved in 3-7 days, and bile leakage ceased in 2-21 days. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a safe and effective way to manage biliary complications of hepatic echinococcal disease. In most patients, ES is the most efficient treatment of postoperative external biliary fistulas, jaundice and accompanying cholangitis, as it enables clearing the bile ducts of hydatid remnants; ES should be performed since it accelerates the healing process by decreasing pressure in the choledochus.

The factors related with postoperative complications in benign nodular thyroid surgery.

Thyroid gland is an important endocrine organ because of its functions. Although the morbidity and mortality of thyroid surgery have decreased markedly, serious complications may still occur. The aim of this retrospective study was to identify the factors influencing the complications in benign nodular thyroid surgery. A total of 332 patients who underwent thyroid surgery between April 2004 and May 2008 were evaluated retrospectively to identify the factors influencing the complications. We found that in surgery lasting more than 90 minutes the risk of permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury was high, daily drainage more than 50 cc increases the risk of seroma formation, retrosternal goiter surgery have higher risk for bleeding. The flap edema rates were high found in the operations made by resident surgeon and patients with size 3-4 thyroid glands. Low complication rates can be achieved after thyroidectomy with better knowledge of the surgical anatomy of the neck, thyroid pathology and required surgical treatment.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and postoperative pain: is it affected by intra-abdominal pressure?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intra-abdominal pressure created during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is accepted as a factor for postoperative pain. In this prospective, randomized, clinical study, the goal is to determine the effects of different intra-abdominal pressure values on visceral type pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty women who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included in this study. Low-pressure (8 mm Hg), standard-pressure (SP: 12 mm Hg), and high-pressure (HP: 14 mm Hg) groups were designed for the study. The statistical analysis included mean age, weight, analgesic consumption, postoperative pain assessed by the Numeric Scale, duration of anesthesia, and operation. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found between the groups comparing age, weight, analgesic consumption, and Numeric Scale values. In terms of duration of anesthesia, statistically significant difference was found between the groups low-pressure and HP and SP and HP, and statistically significant difference was found regarding operative duration between the groups SP and HP. There was no difference between the others groups. CONCLUSIONS: We think that intra-abdominal pressure has no effect on postoperative visceral pain, but has effect on duration of anesthesia and operation.