Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy Versus Vaginal Hysterectomy

Introduction: Hysterectomy is the commonest gynecologic operation, performed for malignant and benign conditions. There are many approaches to hysterectomy for benign disease. Studies comparing the techniques have showed that vaginal hysterectomy has benefits in terms of reduced hospital stay, faster recovery and less operating time. Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare the surgical and immediate postoperative outcomes of Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH) with those of Vaginal Hysterectomy (VH). Methods: Retrospective descriptive study, comparing two groups of women who underwent LAVH or VH in our department during a 24 months period, from January 2009 to December 2010. The two groups were compared regarding age, vaginal deliveries, previous abdominal surgery, uterine and adnexal pathology, intra-operative and post-operative complications, uterus weight, blood loss and number of days until discharge. Results: In our study 42 LAVH and 99 VH were included, with a patient mean age of 47 and 59, respectively. The most frequent indication for hysterectomy was fibroids (80%) for LAVH and POP(58.6%) for HV. In LAVH group 47.6% of patients had previous abdominal surgery, vs 28.2% in VH group. The medium operative time was 167 minutes for LAVH vs 99 minutes for HV. The intra-operative complications were one case (2%) of accidental incision of rectum in LAVH, and one bladder incision in the VH (1%). There were 3 conversions to laparotomy for difficult technique (7%) in LAVH group. There were no significant post-operative complications for LAVH. In VH group there were 2 cases of haemoperitoneum (2%) and 1 case requiring blood transfusion (1%). The mean time for discharge was 4.23 days for LAVH and 4.46 days for VH. Conclusions: In our study, the main advantage for VH was the reduced operative time. In terms of time to discharge there was no difference between the 2 groups. The main intra-operative complication of LAVH was the risk of conversion to laparotomy, but post-operatively this procedure had fewer complications than VH. In conclusion, LAVH is a safe option for women requiring hysterectomy in cases where VH is anticipated to be technically difficult.

Adhesion Prevention in Laparoscopic Surgery

Adhesions have important consequences for patients, surgeons, and health services. Peritonealtissue injury can be prevented by using careful surgical techniques. A large number of antiadhesion products have been used experimentally and clinically to prevent postoperative adhesions. Methods: The current author reviewed the surgical literature published about epidemiology, pathogenesis, and various prevention strategies of adhesion formation. Results: Meticulous surgery is essential to reduce unnecessary morbidity and mortality rates from these untoward effects of surgery. Several preventive agents against postoperative peritoneal adhesions have been investigated. Bioresorbable membranes are site-specific antiadhesion products but may be more difficult to use laparoscopically. Liquids and gels have the advantage of more-widespread areas of action and increased ease of use, particularly during laparoscopic operations. Effective pharmacologic agents that can reduce release of proinflammatory cytokines or activate peritoneal fibrinolysis are under development. Their results are encouraging but most of them are contradictory. Conclusions: Many modalities are being studied to reduce this risk; despite initial promising results of different measures in postoperative adhesion prevention, none of them have become standard applications. With the current state of knowledge, preclinical or clinical studies are still necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of the several proposed prevention strategies for avoiding postoperative peritoneal adhesions.

Esterilização Feminina: Estudo Comparativo entre Esterilização Histeroscópica e Laparoscópica

Overview and Aims: Female sterilization is increasingly requested as a contraceptive method. Hysteroscopic sterilization by transcervical placing of Essure® micro-inserts in the initial portion of the tubes is a recent alternative to laparoscopic sterilization. The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of hysteroscopic versus laparoscopic sterilization. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Population: A total of 98 women undergoing sterilization in an outpatient clinic between July 2005 and July 2009. Methods: Patients’ age, associated diseases, anesthesic risk, procedure time, discomfort, adverse events and success rate were evaluated. Results: Mean age at surgery was 37.8 years (19-49), and there were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding this parameter. Women in the hysteroscopic group had a significant number of associated diseases (98% versus 47%), obesity (31% versus 6%), and anesthesic risk (ASA III- 31% versus 0%). The mean duration of the procedure was the same for both techniques (laparoscopy 28 minutes and hysteroscopy 26 minutes). All laparoscopic sterilizations were successfully completed. In the hysteroscopic group 4% failed to complete the technique. There were no cases of severe pain. Women in the hysteroscopy group reported pain less frequently (40% versus 57%, χ2 p<0.05). Long term success rate was similar in both groups (96% for hysteroscopy and 98% for laparoscopy). Conclusions: In spite of a higher incidence of associated diseases, obesity and anesthetic risks in the hysteroscopy group, there were no significant differences in the duration of the procedure, adverse events and success rate. The hysteroscopic approach can therefore be considered an alternative to laparoscopy, eliminating the need for incisional surgery and for general anaesthesia. If women with high surgical risk and several associated diseases can safely undergo this procedure, it could well become the preferred method for women who want a permanent and irreversible contraceptive method.

Nefrectomia Laparoscópica em Idade Pediátrica

Objectivos: Numerosas séries têm sido publicadas documentando a experiência em nefrectomias por via transperitoneal e retroperitoneal. Este artigo pretende documentar as primeiras 10 nefrectomias e nefroureterectomias laparoscópicas via transperitoneal realizadas no Hospital D. Estefânia. Material e Métodos: Revisão retrospectiva de cinco nefrectomias e cinco nefroureterectomias laparoscópicas realizadas no período de Fevereiro a Setembro de 2010 em crianças com idades compreendidas entre os 2 e os 18 anos. Todos os doentes foram referenciados por complicações de rins não funcionantes. Os procedimentos, via transperitoneal, foram unilaterais, com recurso a 3 portas. Foi igualmente efectuada a análise da duração da cirurgia, taxa de conversão, tempo de internamento e complicações associadas à técnica. Resultados: Todos os rins foram removidos com sucesso por via laparoscópica, sem necessidade de conversão em nenhum dos casos. O tempo operatório médio foi de 103 minutos. Cinco doentes tiveram alta ao 2º dia de pós-operatório, três doentes ao 3º dia de pós-operatório e dois doentes, pela complexidade médico-cirúrgica inerente tiveram internamentos mais prolongados. Não se verificaram complicaçõesno per- ou pós-operatório, com retoma precoce da actividade normal em todos os doentes. Conclusão: A nefrectomia laparoscópica na criança parece ser uma alternativa viável e segura à cirurgia aberta. Consideramos necessário a aquisição de mais experiência para reduzir os tempos operatórios e definir a sua verdadeira eficácia. A experiência adquirida com outros procedimentos laparoscópicos transperitoneais foi determinante na opção por esta via (versus retroperitoneal).

Gastropexia Laparoscópica em Volvo Gástrico Neonatal

Introdução: O Volvo gástrico é uma doença rara em idade pediátrica. Estão descritos casos crónicos recorrentes e agudos, mas a sua incidência real é desconhecida. Apresentamos a descrição cirúrgica de um caso de volvo gástrico crónico, recorrente, diagnosticado no período neonatal, tratado com sucesso por via laparoscópica. Caso clínico: Recém-nascido, do sexo masculino, portador de anomalia de Ebstein, com vómitos não biliosos recorrentes, desidratação e perda ponderal. O estudo contrastado, do tubo digestivo superior, mostrou volvo gástrico organoaxial, tendo sido submetido a gastropexia por via laparoscópica. Discussão: Segundo a maioria dos autores, a correcção cirúrgica do volvo gástrico é mandatória para prevenção de recorrências e complicações. A gastropexia por via minimamente invasiva é simples e segura.

Warm Antibody Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia Associated with Ovarian Teratoma

The ovarian cystic teratoma is a rare cause of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia by warm antibodies, resistant to corticotherapy, with few case reports published in the medical literature. We present a case of a 45-year-old woman admitted to hospital due to general weakness. Laboratory studies revealed macrocytic anaemia, biochemical parameters of haemolysis and peripheral spherocytosis. The direct Coombs test was positive. Viral serologies, anti-nuclear antibodies, anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies and β2-microglobulin were negative. CT scan of the thorax, abdomen and pelvis showed a heterogeneous right anexial lesion. The patient was treated with corticotherapy without improvement of anaemia. Regression of extra-vascular haemolysis and normalisation of haemoglobin was obtained only after laparoscopic splenectomy and right ooforectomy, and the histopathology of the right anexial mass revealed a cystic teratoma. Previously published cases controlled the haemolysis by surgically removing the lesion associated with splenectomy.

Endoscopic Treatment of Early Gastric Obstruction After Sleeve Gastrectomy: Report of Two Cases

Morbid obesity is an epidemic and complex disease which imposes a multidisciplinary approach. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy has become a frequent procedure given its effi- cacy and safety compared to other surgical options. However, it isn’t free from complications. Lax gastric fixation or incorrect positioning of the stomach during surgery can result in early gastric outlet obstruction caused by a volvulus-like mechanism by rotation of the stomach around its anatomic axes. This report refers to two cases of post sleeve gastric torsion resulting in persisting vomiting after initiating oral intake. The diagnosis was confirmed by upper gastrointestinal-contrast study and gastroscopy. In both cases, a fully covered self-expandable metallic stentwas insertedwhich prompted the gastric lumen to become permeable resulting in symptomatic resolution. The stents were removed endoscopically aftertwo and three months. Beyond more than three years offollow-up,the patients remain asymptomatic and no recurring ‘‘stenosis’’ was noticed.In these cases the use offully covered self-expandable metallic stents demonstrated to be effective and safe in the treatment of post sleeve gastric torsion.

Minimally Invasive Approach of a Retrocaval Ureter

The retrocaval ureter is a rare congenital entity, classically managed with open pyeloplasty techniques. The experience obtained with the laparoscopic approach of other more frequent causes of ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction has opened the method for the minimally invasive approach of the retrocaval ureter. In our paper, we describe a clinical case of a right retrocaval ureter managed successfully with laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty. The main standpoints of the procedure are described. Our results were similar to others published by other urologic centers, which demonstrates the safety and feasibility of the procedure for this condition.