Single incision laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SILS): a novel technique.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is an emerging bariatric procedure that typically necessitates five to seven small skin incisions to place five to seven trocars. The senior author (Saber) has developed a single umbilical incision approach to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. METHODS: Seven patients underwent single access transumbilical laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy between March 2008 and July 2008. The same surgeon performed all surgical interventions. The umbilicus was the sole point of entry for all patients, and the same operative technique and perioperative protocol were used in all patients. RESULTS: A total of seven single-incision laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomies were performed. The procedure was successfully performed in all patients. Mean operating time was 125 min. None of the patients required conversion to an open procedure. There were no mortalities or postoperative complications noted during the mean follow-up period of 3.4 months. CONCLUSION: Single-incision transumbilical laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is safe, technically feasible, and reproducible.

Laparoscopic spigelian hernia repair: the scroll technique.

Spigelian hernia is a rare clinical entity. It has a subtle clinical presentation with vague abdominal pain that may warrant laparoscopy. Even though laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is increasingly popular, laparoscopic repair of spigelian hernia has not been adequately studied. Eight patients who underwent laparoscopic spigelian hernia repair are presented herein, along with a description of our simple technique for mesh placement. In addition, literature review of laparoscopic repair of spigelian hernia is also presented. Our case series included six females and two males; two patients presented acutely whereas the others presented with chronic pain. Laparoscopic repair was successfully performed in all of our patients with a mean operative time of 92.5 minutes. There were no postoperative complications or recurrence with a mean follow up of 36 months. Our scroll technique for laparoscopic repair is simple and feasible. It minimizes intracorporeal mesh manipulation, facilitates mesh fixation to the anterior abdominal wall, and maintains a precise orientation of the mesh in relation to the defect.

Colonoscopic perforation management by laparoendoscopy: an algorithm.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The role of laparoscopy in the management of iatrogenic colonoscopic injuries has increased with surgeons becoming facile with minimally invasive methods. However, with a limited number of reported cases of successful laparoscopic repair, the exact role of this modality is still being defined. Drawing from previous literature and our own experiences, we have formulated a simple algorithm that has helped us treat colonoscopic perforations. METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken of patients treated for colonoscopic perforations since the algorithm's introduction. For each patient, initial clinical assessment, management, and postoperative recovery were carefully documented. A Medline search was performed, incorporating the following search words: colonoscopy, perforation, and laparoscopy. Twenty-three articles involving 106 patients were identified and reviewed. RESULTS: Between May 2009 and August 2012, 7 consecutive patients with colonoscopic perforations were managed by 2 surgeons using the algorithm. There were no complications and no deaths, with a mean length of stay of 4.43 days (range, 2-7 days). Of the 7 patients, 6 required surgery. A single patient was managed conservatively and later underwent an elective colon resection. CONCLUSIONS: Traditionally, laparotomy was the preferred method for treating colonoscopic perforations. Our initial experience reinforces previous views that laparoendoscopic surgery is a safe and effective alternative to traditional surgery for managing this complication. We have formulated a simple algorithm that we have found helpful for surgeons considering a laparoscopic approach to managing this condition.

Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES).

OBJECTIVE: Review of the application of natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) in human studies. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: NOTES presents the latest promising technology that allows new access into the abdominal cavity through a natural orifice for multiple clinical applications. It has generated excitement among physicians for a potentially scar-free surgery. Being in its infancy stage, the safety and efficacy of this technology must be studied with scrutiny. METHODS: A PubMed search was conducted in April 2008 for "natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery" and for "natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery." The search was limited to articles in English and those regarding human subjects. RESULTS: The outcomes from the published case series show a level III evidence for the use of NOTES. However, human experience with NOTES is growing. Eleven articles involving human experience with NOTES have been published in 2007 and 2008. More studies are expected as the interest in this type of surgery has only just begun. CONCLUSIONS: NOTES is a promising new technology that needs fine-tuning before it is safely applied in the clinical setting. This highlights the need for further animal and human studies in well-controlled settings followed by industry trials and case series. The excitement about this new approach should be directed toward more training and more studies before larger clinical applications can begin.