Surgical laparoscopy, endoscopy & percutaneous techniques
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Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech · Feb 2014
Review Meta Analysis Comparative StudySingle-port laparoscopic appendectomy versus conventional laparoscopic appendectomy: evidence from randomized controlled trials and nonrandomized comparative studies.
Single-port laparoscopic appendectomy (SPLA) has gained widespread acceptance and is increasingly performed. The evidence assessing the safety and efficacy of SPLA compared with conventional laparoscopic appendectomy (CLA) is growing; however, very few randomized trials exist and individual studies often have small patient numbers with varying results. We integrated the available data to enhance the current literature by comparing these techniques. ⋯ SPLA shows no benefit over CLA, including even parameters such as postoperative pain and cosmetic results, and, therefore, there is no indication to use this approach over standard laparoscopic appendectomy. SPLA does take longer to perform. Further studies are needed to confirm that the procedure is more costly.
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Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech · Feb 2014
ReviewBibliometric analysis of scientific contributions in minimally invasive general surgery.
Publication of scientific articles in peer-reviewed medical journals is considered as a measure of research productivity. The aim of the present study was to quantify the research contributions of different countries in minimally invasive surgery and to critically discuss the results under the prism of recent socioeconomic developments. The electronical archives of 4 major surgical journals (Annals of Surgery, British Journal of Surgery, Journal of the American College of Surgeons, and Surgical Endoscopy) were searched between 2009 and 2012. ⋯ Although the United States dominates in terms of absolute number of publications, several smaller countries were more prolific, when the number of inhabitants was taken into account. The recent financial crisis is expected to undermine international collaborative conditions in the field of minimally invasive surgery. The need for a stepped-up international scientific collaboration is hereto highlighted.