Clinical study of gasless laparoscopic adrenalectomy in 17 cases--comparison between laparoscopic adrenalectomy with and without pneumoperitoneum

PURPOSE: To determine the efficiency of gasless laparoscopic adrenalectomy, this procedure was compared to that with pneumoperitoneum. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between February 1994 and December 1996, 17 gasless laparoscopic adrenalectomy were performed in 5 men and 12 women, 36 to 79 years old. Clinical diagnosis was primary aldosteronism in 8, pheocromocytoma in 2, incidentaloma in 4 and adrenal cyst in 3. When gasless laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed, the laparoscope was inserted through the upper margin of the umbilicus by open laparotomy. To create a workable space, a 1.2 mm Kirschner wire was advanced subcutaneously below the costal arch and attached to a retractor. Operating time, estimated blood loss, changes of the end tidal CO2 concentration during operation, operative complications and postoperative course were compared to those with pneumoperitoneum in 12 cases. RESULTS: In both procedures, satisfying workable spaces were created in all cases. The mean operating time and estimated blood loss were 245 min and 201 ml without pneumoperitoneum, 317 min and 274 ml with pneumoperitoneum, respectively. The mean changes of end tidal CO2 concentration during operation were 3.2 mmHg without pneumoperitoneum and 5.1 mmHg with pneumoperitoneum. As operative complications, open operations were required in 2 cases (1 without pneumoperitoneum and another with pneumoperitoneum) to control intraoperative bleeding. They had the histories of transabdominal operations. Postoperative bleeding was observed in 2 cases (1 without pneumoperitoneum and another with pneumoperitoneum). One of them (with pneumoperitoneum) needed surgical management for hemostasis. Fever over 38 degrees C that occurred in 1 case with pneumoperitoneum appeared to be absorption fever. No differences were observed in the number of the days to the start of oral intake and for postoperative hospitalization between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Gasless laparoscopic adrenalectomy is available for most adrenal tumors. Suction could be used unrestrictedly and there were no hemodynamic or ventilatory effects due to pneumoperitoneum. This procedure appears to be safe and advantageous for the treatment of most adrenal tumors.     

Sex differences in cytosolic androgen receptors in gonadectomized male and female rats

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of the introduction of the laparoscopic cholecystectomy on surgical training, and the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed by residents compared with those of surgeons. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: University hospital, The Netherlands. SUBJECTS: 943 Patients who underwent cholecystectomies from January 1987-December 1993 by residents and surgeons. In 527 patients the cholecystectomy was open and in 416 laparoscopic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The percentage of cholecystectomies done by residents in the period 1987-1993. The outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomies done by surgeons and residents in terms of duration of operation, conversion rate, postoperative complications, and hospital stay. RESULTS: Before the laparoscopic era about 70% of all cholecystectomies were done by residents. After its introduction in 1990, the residents did 38% of the laparoscopic cholecystectomies in 1991, 39% in 1992, and 64% in 1993. There were no differences in outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in terms of duration of operation, conversion rate, postoperative complications and hospital stay between surgeons and residents. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy caused a temporary decline in the number of cholecystectomies done by residents. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was integrated as a standard surgical procedure in the residents' training programme within two years of its introduction. The outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomies done by supervised residents and surgeons was similar, and so laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be part of residents' training.     

Mortality after vascularized pancreas transplantation

BACKGROUND: Intravenous almitrine, which augments hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, is used for short-term improvement of arterial oxygenation. However, recent research has suggested a potentially harmful effect on lactate metabolism and hepatic function. METHODS: Arterial oxygenation, hemodynamic parameters, plasma lactate, and hepatic function were monitored prospectively in 25 patients with acute lung injury (defined as a ratio of arterial oxygen pressure to inspiratory oxygen fraction < or = 150 mmHg) who where treated with intravenous almitrine. In 21 of 25 patients, acute lung injury was related to primary lung lesions, including pneumonia, postcardiosurgical atelectasis, and lung contusions. RESULTS: Intravenous almitrine increased the ratio of arterial oxygen pressure to inspiratory oxygen fraction from 93 +/- 33 mmHg to 207 +/- 107 mmHg (mean +/- SD). In eight patients (three men), the plasma lactate concentration increased by an average of +3.5 +/- 1.8 mM, and the pH and bicarbonate concentration both decreased during the first 24 h of treatment. In this group of patients, the total bilirubin concentration was elevated before almitrine administration, and the results of other hepatic function tests, such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and prothrombin time, were altered by almitrine administration. Therefore, intravenous almitrine was discontinued. Lactic acidosis and hepatic dysfunction improved. In the other 17 patients (14 men), the plasma lactate concentration and the hepatic function tests remained unaltered during intravenous almitrine therapy for > 60 h. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that an abnormal plasma concentration of total bilirubin before almitrine administration and female gender were the two factors significantly linked with lactic acidosis during almitrine infusion. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that intravenous almitrine greatly improves arterial oxygenation in patients with acute lung injury but may also induce lactic acidosis and hepatic dysfunction. The coexistence of lactic acidosis and hepatic dysfunction in the same patients strongly suggests that the liver is the primary source of intravenous almitrine-induced lactic acidosis.     

Laparoscopic surgery in children and adolescents

Laparoscopic surgery is a rapidly developing field in general surgery. The advantages of laparoscopic procedures are short postoperative courses, fewer wound-related complications, possible reduction in rate of late postoperative adhesions and better cosmetic results. Laparoscopic procedures are indicated in well-defined clinical settings, after enough experience has been acquired and technical problems solved. Children and adolescents may also benefit from laparoscopic procedures. The technique is suitable for cholecystectomies, appendectomies in selected cases, splenectomies, anti-reflux procedures, bowel resections, and diagnostic procedures, among others. In the past 3 years we have performed 65 laparoscopic procedures in patients younger than 17 years, including 10 cholecystectomies, 31 appendectomies and 7 Nissen fundoplications.     

Pharmacokinetics of rocuronium during the three stages of liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the influence of liver transplantation on the pharmacokinetics of most anesthetic drugs. The authors determined the pharmacokinetics of rocuronium during liver transplantation and examined whether variability in pharmacokinetics could explain variability in recovery of neuromuscular function. METHODS: Twenty patients undergoing liver transplantation were given rocuronium, 600 microg/kg, after induction of anesthesia and again after perfusion of the transplanted liver. Plasma was sampled to determine rocuronium concentrations. Pharmacokinetic models were fit to rocuronium concentrations versus time data using a mixed-effects population approach. Various models permitted changes in clearance (Cl) or central compartment volume to account for changes in hepatic function and circulatory status during the paleohepatic, anhepatic, and neohepatic periods. Time to initial recovery of four twitches of the orbicularis oculi was determined. RESULTS: During the paleohepatic and anhepatic periods, the typical value of Cl was 2.47 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1) and was not influenced by the magnitude of preexisting liver disease (as evidenced by prothrombin time, bilirubin, serum albumin, alanine transaminase [ALT], and aspartate transaminase [AST]). During the neohepatic period, the typical value of Cl varied as a function of the duration of warm ischemia of the hepatic allograft and was 2.72 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1) for a patient with an average 60-min period of warm ischemia; time to neuromuscular recovery varied as a function of Cl. CONCLUSIONS: Despite prolonged hypothermic ischemia, the newly transplanted liver eliminates rocuronium as well as the diseased native liver (and comparably with historical control values). However, some patients had decreased rocuronium Cl during the neohepatic period, apparently a result of prolonged graft warm ischemia. The authors' finding of preservation of hepatic drug elimination in the hepatic allograft is consistent with limited data for other drugs evaluated during anesthesia.     

Pneumoperitoneum for laparoscopic cholecystectomy is not associated with compromised splanchnic circulation

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of increased intra-abdominal pressure during pneumoperitoneum on splanchnic circulation. DESIGN: Open study. SETTING: University hospital, Sweden. SUBJECTS: Five otherwise healthy patients (mean age of 34 years), undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. INTERVENTIONS: Arterial and hepatic vein catheterization and simultaneous arterial and hepatic vein blood gas sampling in the awake state, during anaesthesia, after the establishment of pneumoperitoneum (intra-abdominal pressure level 11-13 mmHg) and after 30 and 60 minutes of pneumoperitoneum. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hepatic blood flow was estimated by the continuous infusion method and used as a measure of splanchnic blood flow. Splanchnic oxygen consumption was calculated according to the Fick principle. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Splanchnic blood flow and splanchnic oxygen consumption were not affected by pneumoperitoneum at this level of intra-abdominal pressure.     

What is a migraine, anyway, and when is it gone?

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of pneumoperitoneum on P(a-ET)CO2 gradient in children. METHODS: Sixty one ASA I and II children (10.7 +/- 3.0 yr, 38.4 +/- 14.2 kg, mean +/- SD), scheduled for visceral or urological laparoscopic procedures, were studied. They were anaesthetized, intubated, paralysed and their lungs ventilated with constant ventilator settings to obtain PETCO2 values between 4.3 and 4.8 kPa. Intra-abdominal pressure was maintained between 8 and 14 mmHg. The following measurements were performed at steady state, before the pneumoperitoneum (T1) and 15 min later (T2): heart rate, systolic and diastolic arterial pressure; peak airway and intra-abdominal pressure; PaCO2 corrected for the patient's temperature; PETCO2 drawn between the micropore filter and the ventilator tubes, corrected for BTPS conditions; P(a-ET)CO2. Values between -1.0 and +1.0 mmHg were considered nil; patient position (horizontal or head-down tilt): all patients were horizontal at T1. RESULTS: Arterial pressure, heart rate and peak airway pressure increased at T2: PaCO2 and PETCO2 increased by 14%. The incidence of negative gradients increased from 54 to 67% although mean P(a-ET)CO2 remained clinically unchanged. No difference was found in P(a-ET)CO2 gradient, whatever the position and intra-abdominal pressure. The 95% confidence intervals for P(a-ET)CO2 were [-5.6; +3.2] at T1 and [-8.8; +4.8] at T2. CONCLUSION: PETCO2 often overestimates PaCO2 during laparoscopy in children, by up to 8.8 mmHg. Arterial blood gas analysis should be performed during long procedures to avoid hyperventilation.     

Founder effect at PGL1 in hereditary head and neck paraganglioma families from the Netherlands

After repeated exposure to inhaled anesthetics, the hepatic function and metabolism of anesthetics may change. The purpose of this study was to investigate inorganic fluoride (F-) kinetics and renal and hepatic function after repeated exposure to sevoflurane. Ten patients (aged 40-70 yr) who had received sevoflurane anesthesia with a gas flow of 6 L/min for neurosurgery twice in 30-90 days were studied. Serum and urine F- concentrations were measured up to 24 h after anesthesia. Blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, serum and urine beta2-microglobulin, urine N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and total bilirubin concentrations were measured up to 7 days after anesthesia. The area under the curve (AUC) of serum and urine F- concentration and half-life of serum F concentration were calculated. Urine beta2-microglobulin, AST, and ALT increased to abnormal levels after both anesthesias, with no difference between anesthesias. No measured variables, AUC of serum and urine F- concentration, or half-life of serum F- concentration showed any differences between the first and second anesthesias. In conclusion, the second exposure to sevoflurane with a high gas flow of 6 L/min in 30-90 days did not change the hepatic and renal function or affect the metabolism of sevoflurane. Implications: We studied the changes of metabolism of sevoflurane and hepatic and renal function after repeated sevoflurane anesthesia in 30-90 days. There were changes indicative of mild liver and kidney injury after sevoflurane anesthesia, but repeated exposure to sevoflurane did not enhance these changes.     

The pentoxifylline experience: exercise testing reconsidered

OBJECTIVE: This study provides the first objective assessment of a complete patient population undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the steady state. The authors determined the frequency of complications, particularly bile duct, bowel, vascular injuries, and deaths. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: This retrospective study, conducted for the Department of Defense healthcare system by the Civilian External Peer Review Program, is the second complete audit of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Data were collected on 9130 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy between January 1993 and May 1994. METHODS: The study sample consisted of clinical data abstracted from the complete records of 9054 (99.2%) of the 9130 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed at 94 military medical treatment facilities. RESULTS: Of 10,458 cholecystectomies performed in the Military Health Services System, 9130 (87.3%) were laparoscopic and 1328 (12.7%) were traditional open procedures. Seventy-six medical records were incomplete: however, there was sufficient data to determine mortality and bile duct injury rates. Of the remaining 9054 cases, 6.09% experienced complications, including bile duct (0.41%), bowel (0.32%), and vascular injuries (0.10 percent). The mortality rate was 0.13%. Access via Veress technique was used in 57.6% and Hasson technique in 42.4% of patients. Intraoperative cholangiograms were performed in 42.7% of the cases with a success rate of 86.2%. Eight hundred ninety-two (9.8%) patients were converted to open cholecystectomies. CONCLUSIONS: In the steady state, despite an increase in the percentage of laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed for nonmalignant gallbladder disease, there continues to be minimal complications and low mortality.     

Late epigastric incisional hernias following laparoscopic cholecystectomy

By the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy a new "gold standard" procedure became a routinely performed operation in the field of biliary tract surgery. Thus, the incision related early and late complications are thought to diminish, especially the formation of incisional hernias. Five patients had been referred to our department suffering from chronic incisional hernias following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. All of the hernias were located to the site of the epigastric trocar. The contents of the hernias proved to be omentum. The documentation's of the laparoscopic cholecystectomies revealed the extraction of thick walled gallbladders that contain large stones, and the wounds through which the extraction was performed had not been closed. Taking into consideration the fact of the "Chimney Effect" caused by the desufflation of the pneumoperitoneum at the end of the laparoscopic operation, bowel or omentum can easily escape through the relatively large wound formed during the extraction of the gallbladder, resulting in the formation of incisional hernias. This can be avoided by the complete desufflation and the prompt closure of the wound.     

The effect of co-existing diseases with cholelithiasis on the course and results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Six hundred laparoscopic cholecystectomies have been performed in patients with cholelithiasis. Co-existing chronic diseases have been noted in 28% of the operated patients. All these diseases have been known to increase operative risk in classic (open) cholecystectomy (hypertension, coronary disease, cardiac arrhythmias, diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma). Statistical analysis of the body temperature following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, morbidity and duration of the postoperative hospitalization has revealed that there has been no significant increase in operative risk for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in these patients.     

Combination of subcutaneous abdominal wall retraction and optical trocar to minimize pneumoperitoneum-related effects and needle and trocar injuries in laparoscopic surgery

BACKGROUND: Both pneumoperitoneum and blind needle and trocar insertion may cause complications: because of the well-known physiological effects, CO2 insufflation is not indicated in patients with impairment of cardiorespiratory function and high-risk patients; injuries to underlying viscera and vessels by needles and trocars have been reported even when the open technique is used. METHODS: A technique which combines abdominal wall suspension by a new subcutaneous lifter (LaparoTenser) and optical trocar (OptiView) insertion has been evaluated in a random series of 22 patients undergoing various laparoscopic procedures. The optic trocar was inserted without previous insufflation, but low-pressure (1-5 mmHg) pneumoperitoneum was associated during the course of the procedure in 16 cases. RESULTS: The exposure of the operating field was good or sufficient in 21 cases (95%), while the placement of the optical trocar was always safe. One complication related to the insertion of the subcutaneous needles of the wall lifter occurred (suprafascial hematoma). CONCLUSIONS: The subcutaneous retractor allows the use of conventional cannulae and the combination of abdominal wall suspension with or without low-pressure pneumoperitoneum, thus enhancing the quality of exposure with no effect on the hemodynamic and respiratory functions.     

Laparoscopic hepatic resection: a new and safe procedure by abdominal wall lifting method

HCC is well known for its high incidence of intrahepatic tumor recurrence and many patients suffering from them, usually undergo further treatments, such as PEI, TAE, MCNT or hepatic resection. However, conventional hepatic resection by large skin incision causes severe intraabdominal adhesions, which disturb US examination and further treatments. The aim of the laparoscopic procedure is to prevent intraabdominal adhesions. This is a study of the feasibility of laparoscopic hepatic resection without CO2 pneumoperitoneum, which is not yet popular, as a safe and effective procedure. The patient in this study had a solitary HCC in the lateral segment. Mobilization of the lateral segment, dissections of the left hepatic artery and portal venous branches, i.e. P2 and P3, were performed under CO2 gas insufflation. However, to avoid CO2 gas embolism, further procedures, including parenchymal compression and hepatic venous dissection, were performed using the abdominal wall lifting method without pneumoperitoneum. The patient could eat on the second postoperative day and had an uneventful postoperative recovery and was discharged from the hospital 13 days after surgery. Hospital stay was shorter than conventional hepatic resections with large skin incisions. The importance of this procedure lies in that it is not only a minimally invasive procedure, but also provides us with the possibilities of further treatments, including PEI and re-hepatic resection.     

Interobserver variation in the assessment of the sampling quality of cervical smears

The present study was carried out to investigate the biochemical and morphological changes in the liver after ligation of the hepatic artery (HA) in the presence and in the absence of extrahepatic cholestasis (EHC). The study was conducted on 100 rats divided into four groups of 25 animals each: group 1, sham operation; group 2, hepatic artery ligation (HAL); group 3, bile duct ligation (BDL); and group 4, HAL plus BDL. All animals were sacrificed 7 days after surgery when total bilirubin and fractions, alkaline phosphatase (AP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured in serum and on the inner hepatocyte mitochondrial membrane (IHMM); the incidence of necrosis and the volume fractions of vessels, bile ducts and hepatocytes in the liver were also determined. HAL reduces the relative volumes of bile ducts, with no changes in levels of bilirubin and fractions, AP, ALT, AST and IHMM, but HAL associated with EHC reduces duct proliferation and the liver becomes more vulnerable to necrosis. In conclusion, the normal liver depends on HA flow and this dependence is more evident in the presence of EHC.     

Instability of quartet analyses of molecular sequence data by the maximum likelihood method: the Cetacea/Artiodactyla relationships

As laparoscopic techniques show definite advantages in terms of pain and postoperative pulmonary function, high-risk patients especially benefit from such procedures. Pathophysiological changes caused by the pneumoperitoneum can be managed with invasive monitoring and resulting therapy. The increase in systemic vascular resistance with reduction in cardiac output can be kept to a minimum using low intraabdominal pressures (8-10 mmHg) under adequate muscular relaxation. Additional peripheral vasodilators and positive inotropic medication may be necessary. As the adverse hemodynamic effects end almost instantaneously with the reduction of the intraabdominal pressure, it is allways possible to revert to an open procedure after a laparoscopic try. If ventilation can not be increased adequately to maintain isocapnia in a patient suffering from pulmonary disease, the resulting increase in paCO2 will usually be moderate. In some instances it may be necessary to prolong artificial ventilation postoperatively, until isocapnia is reached with minuteventilation as at the beginning of anaesthesia.     

Characteristics of underserved women who did and those who did not use a free/low-cost voucher as part of a mammography screening program

The effects of pneumoperitoneum on peak venous flow velocity in the common femoral vein and the vena cava have already been studied. The results suggested that venous stasis occurs during surgical pneumoperitoneum. This study determines the effects of pneumoperitoneum on the overall venous outflow resistance of the lower limbs. Venous outflow resistance was measured during surgical procedures by impedance plethysmography in 12 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 4 patients undergoing laparoscopic herniorrhaphy, 4 patients undergoing conventional cholecystectomy, and 2 patients undergoing conventional herniorrhaphy. Venous outflow resistance did not change significantly during laparoscopic cholecystectomy or herniorrhaphy. No difference in venous outflow resistance between laparoscopic cholecystectomy and herniorrhaphy was found. During pneumoperitoneum, no obstruction to total lower limb venous outflow could be demonstrated, indicating that venous stasis in the limbs did not occur, and consequently, flow in the iliac and inferior caval veins was not compromised. Hypothetically, active vasodilatation resulting from mild compression may explain this. In our view, no special measures to prevent deep venous thrombosis have to be taken during laparoscopic procedures.     

Pathophysiological and clinical aspects of the CO2 pneumoperitoneum (CO2-PP)

Experimental studies demonstrated a severe cardiac load of the CO2 pneumoperitoneum caused by an accelerated after- and a decreased preload. Patients displaying cardiovascular risks are therefore often rejected from laparoscopic surgery. Hence, the pathophysiological changes and the intraoperative risk of the CO2 pneumoperitoneum in high-risk cardiopulmonary patients (NYHA II-III, n = 15) undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy are described. The changes in cardiac after- and preload seem to be due to the elevated intraabdominal pressure rather than transperitoneally resorbed CO2 and are reversible by desufflation. In one patient conversion to open operation had to be performed because of a severe drop in cardiac output and right ventricle ejection fraction. Mixed oxygen saturation was predicting intraoperative worsening in this case. The described pathophysiological changes may seem to be well tolerated even in high-risk cardiac patients. Monitoring of hemodynamics should include an arterial catheter line and blood gas analyses. Pharmacologic interventions or pressureless laparoscopic procedures might not be necessary as long as laparoscopic cholecystectomy is performed.     

Surgical rates and operative mortality for open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Maryland

BACKGROUND: Since 1989, laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been widely adopted as a treatment for gallstone disease. We analyzed the association between the introduction of this procedure and three variables: the rate at which cholecystectomy was performed in Maryland, the characteristics of patients undergoing cholecystectomy in routine clinical practice, and operative mortality. METHODS AND RESULTS: We used 1985-1992 hospital-discharge data from all 54 acute care hospitals in Maryland, to identify open and laparoscopic cholecystectomies, characteristics of patients undergoing these procedures, and deaths occurring during hospitalizations in which these procedures were performed. The annual rate of cholecystectomy, adjusted for age, rose from 1.69 per 1000 state residents in 1987-1989 to 2.17 per 1000 residents in 1992, an increase of 28 percent (P < 0.001). As compared with patients undergoing open cholecystectomy, patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy tended to be younger, less likely to have acute cholecystitis or a common-duct stone, and more likely to be white and have private health insurance or belong to a health maintenance organization (P < 0.001). Although the operative mortality associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy was less than that with open cholecystectomy (adjusted odds ratio, 0.22; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.13 to 0.37) and the overall mortality rate for all cholecystectomies declined from 0.84 percent in 1989 to 0.56 percent in 1992, there was no significant change in the total number of cholecystectomy-related operative deaths because of the increase in the cholecystectomy rate. CONCLUSIONS: In Maryland, although the adoption of laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been accompanied by a 33 percent decrease in overall operative mortality per procedure, the total number of cholecystectomy-related deaths has not fallen because of a 28 percent increase in the total rate of cholecystectomy.     

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the geriatric population

OBJECTIVE: To assess effectiveness and conversion rates of inpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy in older people living in the community. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: All acute care hospitals providing cholecystectomy in a single state. Medicare patients who underwent inpatient cholecystectomy in fiscal year 1994 in Arkansas. METHODS: A random sample comprising 449 of 2182 geriatric patients who underwent inpatient cholecystectomy in fiscal year 1994, stratified by hospital bed size, had charts reviewed for type of cholecystectomy performed, occurrence of conversion from a laparoscopic to an open cholecystectomy, surgical complications, and need for transfusion. RESULTS: Eighty-two percent of nonincidental cholecystectomies were initially laparoscopic. Total conversion rate for all inpatient laparoscopic cases was 20%. Forty-two percent of this group suffered acute cholecystitis with male patients exhibiting a higher rate of acute cholecystitis than female patients. Conversion rates for elective cholecystectomy for both sexes was between 13 and 14%. Conversion rate to an open procedures was 28% for patients with acute disease, with male patients again having a higher rate than female patients (40% vs 19%, P < .001). Surgical complications and intraoperative transfusions were rare. Conversion rates did not vary between large and small hospitals or among different age groups within the older population. CONCLUSIONS: Inpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy is common in older people both for acute and chronic gallbladder conditions. Conversion rates ranged from 13% for elective cholecystectomy to 28% for acute disease. These rates are higher than published literature, which focuses on younger populations undergoing elective procedures. Audit committees need to be aware of this higher conversion rate in older people when assessing surgical proficiency.     

The TRAIL to selective tumor death

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the cost effectiveness of routine preoperative blood type and screen testing before laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: All 2,589 laparoscopic cholecystectomies and 603 open cholecystectomies performed at our institution between January 1990 and December 1996 were retrospectively reviewed to identify the incidence and causes of blood transfusions. With the use of ICD-9-CM coding, a computerized retrospective research was done to match the corresponding codes for the aforementioned operations and blood transfusion. Individual charts were reviewed to identify the indications for blood transfusion. RESULTS: Of the 2,589 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed, 12 patients required blood transfusion, and of the 603 open cholecystectomies, 33 patients required blood transfusion. The incidence of blood transfusions was 0.46% for laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 5.47% for open cholecystectomy. Two of the blood transfusions given intraoperatively were due to major vascular injury in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group. The remaining blood transfusions were found to be the result of preexisting medical conditions including sickle-cell anemia, end-stage renal disease, and chronic iron deficiency anemia. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become a widely used therapeutic modality in general surgery. The procedure is safe, effective, and well tolerated by the patient. In the era of managed healthcare, the cost effectiveness of commonly ordered tests is frequently questioned. In the absence of preoperative indications, routine preoperative blood type and screen testing should be eliminated for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The elimination of routine preoperative blood type and screen testing could have saved our institution $79,800 during a 6-year period.