Surgical Innovation and the Multiple Meanings of Randomized Controlled Trials: The First RCT on Minimally Invasive Cholecystectomy (1980-2000).

This article uses the case of the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating laparoscopic cholecystectomy to investigate the introduction of minimally invasive surgery in the 1990s and explore the meaning of RCTs within the context of the introduction of a new surgical technology. It thus brings together the history of the use of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to remove the gallbladder, and the history of the RCT, shedding light on particular aspects of both. We first situate the RCT in the context of the history of the various treatment options for gallstones, or cholelithiasis, then characterize the specific situation of the rapid, patient-driven spread of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and in a next step describe how the local context of laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a new technology made it possible and desirable to conduct an RCT, despite numerous obstacles. This article then shows that in order to capture and understand the rationale of an RCT it is worth it to explore the various levels and dimensions of its context, demonstrating how even the RCT as an ostensibly universal tool draws its meaning from its contexts and that this meaning goes beyond the simple determination of efficiency and safety, including, maybe most importantly, the control and management of new technologies.

Twenty-five years of ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy. / Veinticinco años de colecistectomía laparoscópica en régimen ambulatorio.

It is accepted by the surgical community that laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the technique of choice in the treatment of symptomatic cholelithiasis. However, more controversial is the standardization of system implementation in Ambulatory Surgery because of its different different connotations. This article aims to update the factors that influence the performance of LC in day surgery, analyzing the 25 years since its implementation, focusing on the quality and acceptance by the patient. Individualization is essential: patient selection criteria and the implementation by experienced teams in LC, are factors that ensure high guarantee of success.

The history of laparoscopic general surgery in the Caribbean.

OBJECTIVE: The first world witnessed a laparoscopic revolution in the 1990s. At the start, laparoscopic surgery was heavily criticized and ridiculed. Despite this, the specialty has blossomed where almost any procedure can be done laparoscopically with the now obvious tremendous benefit to the patients. The objective of this paper is to examine where the Caribbean is placed relative to the rest of the world in terms of laparoscopic surgery and to understand why we are here. DESIGN AND METHODS: The literature written on laparoscopy in the region was reviewed and contributions were taken from key surgeons in three main islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica. RESULTS: Though the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the Caribbean, in most islands, took place in the early 1990s like the rest of the world, there was relative dormancy for at least a decade in Trinidad and Tobago and even longer in other islands with regards to implementing advanced procedures or increasing case volumes. Reasons for this included lack of funding, lack of operating time in public facilities, lack of information of the public and the medical fraternity but most importantly lack of trained laparoscopic surgeons. This last factor was proven to be the key one in Trinidad and Tobago in 2003, Jamaica 2005 and Barbados 2011/12, when the return of trained personel engineered the transition from basic to advanced laparoscopy CONCLUSION: Despite the delay of approximately 10 years in Trinidad and Tobago and 15 years in other islands, the return of trained surgeons has seen a rapid increase in case variety and volumes in laparoscopy. The wheels of motion of the laparoscopic revolution in the Caribbean have finally begun.

The history of laparoscopic general surgery in the Caribbean / Historia de la cirugía general laparoscópica en el Caribe

OBJECTIVE: The first world witnessed a laparoscopic revolution in the 1990s. At the start, laparoscopic surgery was heavily criticized and ridiculed. Despite this, the specialty has blossomed where almost any procedure can be done laparoscopically with the now obvious tremendous benefit to the patients. The objective of this paper is to examine where the Caribbean is placed relative to the rest of the world in terms of laparoscopic surgery and to understand why we are here. DESIGN AND METHODS: The literature written on laparoscopy in the region was reviewed and contributions were taken from key surgeons in three main islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica. RESULTS: Though the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the Caribbean, in most islands, took place in the early 1990s like the rest of the world, there was relative dormancy for at least a decade in Trinidad and Tobago and even longer in other islands with regards to implementing advanced procedures or increasing case volumes. Reasons for this included lack of funding, lack of operating time in public facilities, lack of information of the public and the medical fraternity but most importantly lack of trained laparoscopic surgeons. This last factor was proven to be the key one in Trinidad and Tobago in 2003, Jamaica 2005 and Barbados 2011/12, when the return of trained personel engineered the transition from basic to advanced laparoscopy. CONCLUSION: Despite the delay of approximately 10 years in Trinidad and Tobago and 15 years in other islands, the return of trained surgeons has seen a rapid increase in case variety and volumes in laparoscopy. The wheels of motion of the laparoscopic revolution in the Caribbean have finally begun.

OBJETIVO: El primer mundo fue testigo de una revolución laparoscópica en los años 1990. Al comienzo, la cirugía laparoscópica fue muy criticada y ridiculizada. A pesar de ello, la especialidad ha florecido, siendo el caso que ahora casi cualquier procedimiento puede hacerse laparoscópicamente, con evidentes grandes beneficios para los pacientes. El objetivo de este trabajo es examinar donde se encuentra el Caribe en relación con el resto del mundo en lo que se refiere a la cirugía laparoscópica, y asimismo el por qué nos hallamos en ese lugar. DISEÑO Y MÉTODOS: Se examinó la literatura sobre laparoscopia escrita en la región, y se tomaron contribuciones de cirujanos claves de tres islas principales, a saber, Trinidad y Tobago, Barbados y Jamaica. RESULTADOS: Aunque las primeras colecistectomías laparoscópicas en la mayoría de las islas del Caribe, tuvieron lugar a principio de los años 1990 como en el resto del mundo, hubo un período de relativa inactividad por espacio de casi una década en Trinidad y Tobago, y aun por más largo tiempo en otras islas, en relación con la implementación de procedimientos avanzados o el aumento del volumen de casos. Las razones para esta relativa inactividad incluyeron la falta de fondos, la falta de tiempo de operación de los centros públicos, la falta de información del público y la fraternidad médica, pero sobre todo la falta de cirujanos entrenados en laparoscopia. Esto ultimo resultó ser el factor clave en Trinidad y Tobago en 2003, Jamaica en 2005 y Barbados en 2011/12, cuando el regreso del personal entrenado hizo técnicamente posible la transición de una laparoscopia básica a una avanzada. CONCLUSIÓN: A pesar de la demora de aproximadamente 10 años en Trinidad and Tobago, y de 15 años en las otras islas, el regreso de los cirujanos entrenados ha visto un rápido aumento en la variedad casos y los volúmenes de laparoscopia. El motor de la revolución laparoscópica en el Caribe ha por fin echado a andar.

Cholecystectomy through single access endoscopic surgery: where do we stand?

Single access endoscopic surgery, also called laparoendoscopic single site surgery, single port access or single incision laparoscopic surgery has rapidly emerged in clinical practice for some specific indications. Among them single access cholecystectomy is rapidly diffusing in an attempt to improve cosmetic results, reduce parietal trauma, fasten recovery and answer patient's demand of this frequent surgery. While this approach is diffusing some limitations still persist in its feasibility, which have to be overcome by new development in instrumentations and refinement in techniques. And, on the other hand safety principle of minimally invasive cholecystectomy should be strictly respected to ensure our patients safe surgeries. Recent experiences and reports have shown that all these points can be respected, at least by experienced teams, while offering patients the first steps towards routine clinical scarless surgery. In this paper we will review the current status of cholecystectomy through single access endoscopic surgery regarding techniques, indications and results.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Australian beginnings.

Chance meetings in the USA and in France lead to the realization of the potential for cholecystectomy to be performed laparoscopically. Outlined are the steps taken to learn the technique and perform the first such operation in Australia (with unusual circumstances), immediately followed by the introduction of audit and training courses. Historical narrative.

Colecistectomía laparoscópica ambulatoria: nuevos horizontes / No disponible

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Das grandes incisões cirúrgicas à colecistectomia laparoscópica: uma reflexão sobre o impacto de novas tecnologias / Fron great surgical incisions to laparoscopic cholecystectomy: reflection on the impact of new technologies

Objetivos: Revisar a história da colecistectomia laparoscópica e as dificuldades enfrentadas pelo cirurgiões envolvidos no seu desenvolvimento. Fonte de Dados: Revisão bibliográfica através do Pubmed. Foram analisados artigos selecionados sobre a história dos pioneiros da colecistectomia laparoscópica. Síntese de Dados: A introdução da cirurgia endoscópica na rotina clínica mudou drasticamente o campo da cirurgia. Redução da dor pós-operatória, menor impacto nas funções vitais, menor tempo de internação hospitalar e retorno mais rápido as atividades são algumas das vantagens do método. Entretanto, os pioneiros da técnica foram criticados em uma época na qual o pensamento dominante era: "Grandes cirurgiões, grandes incisões". Conclusões: Atualmente a colecistectomia laparocópica é a técnica de eleição para a remoção da vesícula biliar. Procedimentos minimamente invasivos alteraram o campo da cirurgia. Contudo, levou tempo até serem aceitos na prática dos cirurgiões. O conhecimento das dificuldades enfretandas no passado ajudará no desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias.

Cirugía endoscópica transgástrica: delirio tecnológico o avance potencial / Transgastric endoscopic surgery: technological delirium or potential advance?

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[Cholecystectomy in Denmark 1989-2003]. / Kolecystektomi i Danmark 1989-2003.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to describe the cholecystectomy rate in Denmark in the last 15 years, since the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy might have had an influence on it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An analysis was done of data from the mandatory Danish National Patient Registry, which covers all public hospitals in Denmark. All cholecystectomies performed from 1989 to 2003 in the various hospitals were registered. Open and laparoscopic operations were registered separately. In addition, the number of patients who were operated on for acute cholecystitis from 1996 to 2003 was registered. RESULTS: An increase in the cholecystectomy rate was observed, from 67/100,000 inhabitants in 1989 to 143/100,000 inhabitants in 2003 (p < 0.05). The increase was due mainly to the number of laparoscopic procedures, which comprised 81% of all cholecystectomies in 2003. The proportion of patients who were operated on for acute cholecystitis decreased from 14% in 1996 to 12% in 2003 (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: The increasing cholecystectomy rate in Denmark from 1989 to 2003 is probably due to the fact that more patients are having surgery for painful gallbladder stones.