Laparoscopic cholecystectomy following abdominal surgery of the lower part of abdomen.

In this prospective study, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in patients with previous abdominal surgery of the lower part of abdomen. According to authors experience, the usual method of 'blind' beginning of the laparoscopic procedure, with safety tests, is a safe and reliable method to start the laparoscopic procedure, even in these patients. This method does not carry a higher risk of intra-abdominal injury.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: results after 1000 procedures.

From May 1992, when the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed at University Department of Surgery, Sveti Duh General Hospital, till October 1994, the authors performed more than 1000 procedures. Laparoscopic approach was successfully used in 965 (96.5%) patients. Thirty-five (3.5%) cases were converted to open surgery. Dangerous anatomy, some technical problems and perioperative bleeding were the most often reasons for conversion. Further, liver metastases and perioperatively recognized common bile duct lesion necessitated conversion in one case each. In total, there were 18 (1.8%) abdominal complications. Common bile duct lesion, postoperative common bile duct stricture and duodenal perforation occurred in one patient each. Major bleeding was present in eight and bile leak in seven patients. The mean duration of hospitalization was 2.8 days. Analyses of the results show laparoscopic cholecystectomy to be safe procedure with low perioperative and postoperative complications.

[Endoscopic hernioplasty]. / Endoskopska hernioplastika.

Development of the endoscopic surgery has made operations of the groin hernia by endoscopic technique possible. In spite of some dilemmas, the endoscopic hernioplasty takes place in the surgery. The advantages of this procedure are less recurrences, less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, quicker recovery and return to everyday activities, and better cosmetic effect. The benefit of this method is particularly visible after procedures on bilateral and recurrent hernias. In this review, we described surgical technique of endoscopic hernioplasty, possible complications, as well anatomical and pathophysiological basis important for the endoscopic approach.

[Bile duct injuries in laparoscopic cholecystectomy]. / Ozljede zucnih vodova pri laparoskopskoj kolecistektomiji.

Bile duct injuries are the most serious complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Although the overall complications rate in laparoscopic cholecystectomy is significantly lower than in open cholecystectomy, bile duct injuries are more frequent. In this article we analyzed why and how they occur and if their prevention was possible. From May 1992 to May 1999, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in 5651 patients by 17 surgeons and residents, with different experience but similar operative technique. In this period nine (0.16%) bile duct injuries occurred. Injuries were caused by seven operators. Number of operations by single surgeon before injury varied from 8 to 1477. Three patients with uncomplicated chronic cholecystitis had puncture or small bile duct laceration. Complete transection of main bile duct occurred in three patients and in one transection of right hepatic duct. The operative findings in two of them were acute cholecystitis, one had fibrosis in the triangle of Calot and one uncomplicated chronic cholecystitis. Bile duct strictures were found in two patients. Both had fibrosis in the triangle of Calot and in hepatic port. Dangerous pathologic findings were the main cause of injuries in 5 and inadequate surgical technique in 4 patients. In our opinion the education, critical state and experience are of main importance in avoidance and prevention of bile duct injures. We also plead for selective use of intraoperative cholangiography. In our opinion the intraoperative cholangiography has to be performed in all cases where the anatomy of the triangle of Calot is not clear.

[Comparison of the results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy preformed in the usual way and with a lesser number of trocars]. / Usporedba rezultata laparoskopskih kolecistektomija ucinjenih na uobicajeni nacin i onih s manjim brojem troakara.

Laparoscopic surgery is a part of the minimally invasive surgery. Its aim is to make on operation as valuable as the open one, or even more, with a smaller invasion or injury of the body. With the instruments improvement the operation would be possible without any remarkable organism injury. On the other hand, modifications of the operation techniques lead to progress. European technique of laparoscopic cholecystectomy using four trocars has changed. Procedures are performed with one trocar less. Two groups of two hundred patients each have undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The operation in the first group was performed using four, and in the second group using three trocars. The aim of the investigation was to compare these two methods of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The results analysis showed that laparoscopic cholecystectomy using three trocars did not cause either a higher complication rate, prolonged average operation time or longer duration of hospitalisation. The analgesics consumption was lower, sick-leaves were shorter, with smaller total costs, and cosmetic effect was better.

[Less invasive laparoscopic cholecystectomy: initial experience and literature review]. / Manje invazivna laparoskopska kolecistektomija: nasa pocetna iskustva i pregled literature.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy using the 5 and 10 mm caliber instrument is still a gold standard for surgical treatment of the gallstone disease. Today it is possible to perform this operation with a less invasive manner, using the fine caliber instruments, whose diameter is under 5 mm. According to published data, less invasive laparoscopic cholecystectomy does not have a higher complication rate, and other parameters are very similar or even better, specially the cosmetic outcome. In this article with small patient number we confirmed better cosmetic outcome, described different operation techniques and warned about the shortcomings. A greater number of patients and randomized study is indispensable for better technique analysis.

[Comparison of open and laparoscopic appendectomy]. / Usporedba otvorene i laparoskopske apendektomije.

The first laparoscopic appendectomy was performed by Senn in 1982. Since then, the dilemmas about the validity of this operation in relation to open operation have persisted. Many authors presented the technique modifications and results that are very different. The retrospective results, cost, duration of hospital stay and postoperative recovery analyses for fifty patients in each group were done in this study. Laparoscopic operations were done by "two-handed" technique and in different ways of appendix and mesoappendix closing and cutting. Endoscopic linear cutters were used in the second part of the study. When comparing parameters, laparoscopic operation in relation to open operation is equally safe; quicker; with less postoperative pain; with less wound infections rate; with shorter hospital stay; with less staff time involved; with faster recovery and return to work; more expensive; with better cosmetic effect. In conclusion, laparoscopic appendectomy is better, although more expensive, than open operation, so it should be recommended.

Laparoscopic treatment of nonparasitic cysts of spleen and liver.

Laparoscopic treatments of nonparasitic splenic and liver cysts in the period between March 1993 and April 1995 have been reported: partial decapsulation-fenestration and evacuation of a splenic pseudocyst in one patient, fenestration of large congenital liver cysts with total excision of a few smaller liver cysts in two patients and two unsuccessful treatments of splenic cysts. After successful laparoscopic procedures the patients experienced immediate and complete relief of the symptoms. Two years after the splenic cyst procedure and 6 months after the liver cyst operation, the patients remained free of the symptoms, and complete absence of the cysts was confirmed by computerized tomography scans. Laparoscopic fenestration of nonparasitic splenic and liver cysts with total excision of smaller liver cysts is a simple and safe surgical method with lower morbidity and a quick return to normal activity.