Surgical endoscopy
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Effect of heated and humidified carbon dioxide gas on core temperature and postoperative pain: a randomized trial.
Intraoperative hypothermia is a common event during laparoscopic operations. An external warming blanket has been shown to be effective in preventing hypothermia. It has now been proposed that using heated and humidified insufflation gas can prevent hypothermia and decrease postoperative pain. Therefore, we examined the extent of intraoperative hypothermia in patients undergoing laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication using an upper body warming blanket. We also attempted to determine whether using heated and humidified insufflation gas in addition to an external warming blanket would help to maintain intraoperative core temperature or decrease postoperative pain. ⋯ Heated and humidified gas, when used in addition to an external warming blanket, minimized the reduction of intraabdominal temperature but did not alter core temperature or reduce postoperative pain.
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To determine whether reprocessed single-use devices (SUD) would (1) meet regulatory standards for sterility, and (2) meet the same material standards as new devices or if they pose an infection risk to other patients. ⋯ None of the reprocessed SUDs were effectively cleaned or sterilized. This may provide an opportunity for survival and growth of non-resistant or nosocomial organisms and viruses. The use of such inadequately reprocessed SUDs increases the risk for the patient, and can lead to nosocomial infection and to legal consequences for the health care facility.
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Comparative Study
Laparoscopy may be lowering the threshold to operate on patients with suspected appendicitis.
Although several randomized trials have compared postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing open and laparoscopic appendectomy, few have examined whether laparoscopy has affected preoperative decision making. We hypothesized that surgeon enthusiasm for laparoscopic appendectomy would lower the threshold to operate on patients with possible appendicitis. To examine this question we designed a retrospective cohort study in the setting of a tertiary care medical center. ⋯ At our hospital, the availability of the laparoscopic approach to appendectomy may have lowered the threshold to operate on patients with possible appendicitis, as reflected in higher negative exploration rates and lower rates of perforated appendicitis.
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Access to the gastric remnant and duodenum is lost after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity. Traditionally, a percutaneous transhepatic access to the common bile duct has been used to manage choledocholithiasis and duct strictures. We present a novel method of laparoscopic transgastric endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for managing a benign biliary stricture after a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
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Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy or sympathicotomy of the lower part of the stellate ganglion is an efficient method for the treatment of craniofacial hyperhidrosis, but postoperative compensatory sweating may be troublesome in some patients. Needlescopic thoracic sympathetic block by clipping may achieve a similar effect as well as providing a possible reverse operation for patients who suffer from intolerable postoperative compensatory sweating. ⋯ Needlescopic thoracic sympathetic block by clipping is a safe and effective method for the treatment of craniofacial hyperhidrosis; compensatory sweating may be improved after a reverse operation and removal of the endo clips.