Do we really know the symptoms of inguinal hernia?

PURPOSE: Although there is a high incidence of inguinal hernia in developed countries, few studies have been conducted to describe the symptoms, and these few only address the local symptoms, not those presenting at other levels. The aim of the present study is to conduct a detailed review of the symptoms, both inguinal and otherwise, of patients with inguinal hernia. METHODS: A case-control study was designed to compare the symptoms presented by 231 patients diagnosed with inguinal hernia with those of a second group of 231 randomly-selected subjects. In the hernia group, the symptoms were also evaluated according to the location of the hernia (right, left, bilateral). RESULTS: Significant differences (more symptomatology in patients with hernia) were found for the following items: groin pain, genital pain, urinary symptoms, abdominal pain, increased peristalsis and tenesmus. On the contrary, the control patients presented greater symptomatology with respect to back pain and diaphragm pain. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with inguinal hernia present a wide variety of symptoms, and these are not restricted to the inguinal area. It is important to be aware of this fact to convey accurate information to the patient, especially with regard to postoperative expectations.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients over 70 years of age: review of 176 cases.

INTRODUCTION: We assessed the results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 176 patients over the age of 70 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included all patients older than 70 years of age who underwent laparoscopic surgery cholelithiasis during the previous ten years. Variables studied included age, sex, type of operation (programmed/emergency), comorbidity, anesthetic risk, intraoperative cholangiography, conversion to open surgery, number of trocars, reoperation, residual choledocholithiasis, postoperative hospital stay, morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: The study included 176 patients (23.29% men and 76.71% women). The mean age was 74.86 years. The mean hospital stay was 1.27 days, with 16.98% morbidity and 0.56% mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe procedure in older patients. It results in faster recovery, a shorter postoperative stay and lower rates of morbidity and mortality than open bile duct surgery.

Treatment of cholecystoduodenal fistula in the era of laparoscopy.

INTRODUCTION: At first, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was considered unsuitable for patients presenting biliary tract diseases. This study seeks to demonstrate cholecystoduodenal fistula is not a contraindication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and it can be performed without a higher risk for the patient. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study has been completed on laparoscopic biliary pathology from 1992 to 1999 (191 urgent and 877 elective choice surgeries). 302 cases (28%) are of complicated biliary pathology. We report on 14 cholecystoduodenal fistulae, 3 cholecystocolonic fistulae, and 2 cholecystogastric fistulae. RESULTS: Only in 5 patients with cholecystoduodenal fistula was the operation successfully completed by laparoscopy. Conversion to open surgery was because of bleeding (5 cases), difficulty for colon suture (2 cases), and inflammation of the gallbladder with the duodenum (7 cases). An endo-GIA 35 was used to transect the fistula. All patients were discharged after 4 or 5 days without wound infection, and they have been evaluated at 3 and 12 months, without problems. CONCLUSION: Cholecystoduodenal fistula can no longer be considered a contraindication for laparoscopic treatment, and it does not increase morbidity risk.

[Analysis of surgery of gastroesophageal reflux by laparotomy and laparoscopy approach]. / Análisis de la cirugía del reflujo gastroesofágico por vía laparotómica y laparoscópica.

UNLABELLED: The development of the laparoscopic surgery has allowed its use in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have reviewed the results and follow-up of 30 patients treated with open procedure (group A) and 30 patients with laparoscopic surgery (group B). The most frequent indication for surgery was failure of medical therapy and the Nissen fundoplication was the method most commonly used. RESULTS: The average surgical time was shorter in group A (66 minutes) than in group B (140 minutes). Intraoperative complications were: in group A, 2 patients with splenic injury; in group B, 3 patients required conversion to the open procedure (pneumothorax, gastric perforation, technical problems) and 1 patient with pneumothorax which didn't require conversion. Postoperative morbidity and mortality occurred in 20% (26% group A, 13% group B); the most common complications were: respiratory (4 patients), gas bloat syndrome (2 patients) and esophageal perforation (1 patient). At follow-up we observed complete heartburn relief in 95%, 4 patients in group A had mild dysphagia, 3 patients with recurrent hiatal hernia (2 in group A and 1 in group B) and 2 patients required reintervention in group A (intestinal occlusion caused by adherence and laparotomic hernia). Mortality occurred in a patient with esophageal perforation in group B. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment for gastroesophageal reflux is feasible with similar effectiveness with open and laparoscopic procedures. The results are advantageous with the laparoscopic procedure relative to postoperative morbidity and follow-up.

[Diagnostic and therapeutic assessment of liver trauma]. / Valoración diagnóstica y terapéutica de los traumatismos hepáticos.

We have observed an increase in the frequency of hepatic trauma. They are very severe (44% of our group in IV-V stage), right hepatic lobe is the most frequently injured (22 patients), are associated with several lesions and in 20% of patients radical proceedings (parenchymal resection) were needed. A high incidence of associated lesions (24 patients), mainly thoracic and cranio-encephalic, have been observed. Therefore we have to improve the vital support measures, both in the accident place and in their transport, as quick and safe as possible, to hospital. We have at present better diagnostic and management methods to evaluate these patients: abdominal puncture, echography and abdominal CT. The echography in emergencies is the examination of choice in severe abdominal trauma and laparatomy is an urgent procedure in uncertain cases. Most of the hepatic traumatisms were treated by conservative surgical procedures (suture, hemostasis and abdominal drainage in 25 patients), but at times hepatic resection was needed (6 patients). The main aim is this surgery is the hemorrhage control, which determines mortality and prompt reoperation. That happened in two cases. Respiratory problems, infection with sepsis, renal failure, biliary fistulas, upper digestive tract hemorrhages and hemobilia, are complications most frequently observed in our patients. The vital support measures (respiratory, cardiovascular, nutritional, neurologic, etc.) improve the clinical evolution. In our patients the mortality rate was 12%. This rate is very similar to the one reported by other authors.