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Skin Incision (skin + incision)
Selected AbstractsAccuracy of technetium-99m SPECT-CT hybrid images in predicting the precise intraoperative anatomical location of parathyroid adenomasHEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 4 2008Luke Harris MD Abstract Background. This study evaluated the accuracy of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)-CT imaging for the preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas. Methods. This study included both a quantitative and qualitative accuracy measure. The quantitative measure was the distance between the location of the adenoma on the SPECT-CT scan and the location of the adenoma intraoperatively. Qualitatively, surgeons were asked whether or not the adenoma was in the exact location predicted by the SPECT-CT scan. The time from initial incision to identification of the parathyroid was recorded. Patients referred to London Health Sciences Centre for a suspected parathyroid adenoma were eligible for this study. Results. Twenty-three patients participated in this study. Eighteen (78.3%) had a single adenoma, 2 (8.7%) had double adenomas, and 3 (13.0%) had multiglandular hyperplasia. SPECT-CT correctly detected and localized 16 of 18 (88.9%) cases of single parathyroid adenomas. The mean distance between the location of the adenoma on the SPECT-CT scan and the location of the adenoma intraoperatively was 16.3 mm (95% , 19.0 mm). For single adenomas, the median time from skin incision to identification was 14 minutes (range, 8,40 minutes). The preoperative detection and localization of a single focus of sestamibi uptake yielded a parathyroid adenoma in the specified location in 80.0% of cases (95% CI, 97.4,66.5%). Conclusions. SPECT-CT predicted the intraoperative location of a single parathyroid adenoma within 19.0 mm with 95% confidence. The correct detection and localization of multiglandular disease remains difficult. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008 [source] Endoscopic minilaparotomy radical nephrectomy for chronic dialysis patientsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 2 2002Yukio Kageyama Abstract Background: To assess the feasibility of laparoscope-guided minilaparotomy (endoscopic minilaparotomy) for renal cell carcinoma in patients on chronic dialysis. Methods: Endoscopic retroperitoneal minilaparotomy using a 30° telescope was carried out through single skin incision (5,8 cm) in eight patients with renal cell carcinoma who were on chronic dialysis. Outcomes of the operations were compared to those in eight patients on chronic dialysis with renal cell carcinoma who underwent standard translumbar radical nephrectomy. Results: Resection of the tumor was successfully completed without complication and the postoperative course was uneventful in both of the treatment groups. No significant difference in mean operative time or mean blood loss was observed between the treatment groups. Wound pain was minimal and analgesics were generally not required in the minilaparotomy group. The endoscopic laparotomy group resumed full diet and began walking earlier than the group that underwent standard radical nephrectomy. Conclusions: Endoscopic minilaparotomy seems to be a valuable alternative treatment for renal cell carcinoma in patients on chronic dialysis. [source] Adding sufentanil to levobupivacaine or ropivacaine intrathecal anaesthesia affects the minimum local anaesthetic dose requiredACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 9 2009R. PARPAGLIONI Background: We carried out this prospective, randomized, double-blind study in order to evaluate whether the intrathecal addition of sufentanil 3.3 mcg affects both the minimum local anaesthetic dose (MLAD) of spinal levobupivacaine and ropivacaine for a caesarean section and enhances the spinal block characteristics. Methods: One hundred and eighty women were randomly allocated into four groups: levobupivacaine (Group L), levobupivacaine plus sufentanil (Group L+S), ropivacaine (Group R) and ropivacaine plus sufentanil (Group R+S). Each received 3 ml of the study solution intrathecally as part of a combined spinal/epidural technique. The initial dose was 12 mg for Groups L and L+S, and 15 mg for Groups R and R+S. The test solution was required to achieve a visual analogue pain score (VAPS) of 30 mm or less to be considered effective at skin incision, uterine incision, birth, peritoneal closure and at the conclusion of surgery. Effective or ineffective responses determined a 0.5 mg decrease or increase of the same drug, respectively, for the next patient in the same group, using an up,down sequential allocation. Results: Using the Dixon and Massey formula, the MLAD was 10.65 mg [confidence interval (CI) 95%: 10.14,11.56] in Group L, 4.73 mg (CI 95%: 4.39,5.07) in Group L+S, 14.12 mg (CI 95%: 13.50,14.60) in Group R and 6.44 mg (CI 95%: 5.86,7.02) in Group R+S. Conclusions: The addition of sufentanil reduced the MLAD of both the local anaesthetics. It did not affect their potency ratio significantly and resulted in enhanced spinal anaesthesia. [source] A Simple Maneuver on Sternal Saw Facilitates to Perform Curved Sternal Mini-incisions like J- and C-Shaped Partial SternotomiesJOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 4 2009Koray Ak M.D. To increase the cosmetic benefit and improve the surgical exposure, the length of underlying partial sternotomy is usually 3 to 5 cm longer than the length of skin incision in most of these approaches. Using a standard sternal saw or a rotary craniotome, it is quite difficult to make sternal incision under subcutaneous tissue at both ends of skin incision. Moreover, standard sternal saws do not allow doing fine manipulations on sternum that may cause inadvertent sternal cutting, especially at the curved parts of C- or J-type partial sternotomies. We removed the blade protector part of a standard sternal saw. This simple maneuver enables surgeons to perform several challenging mini-sternotomies easily for adult cardiac procedures. [source] Effects of Minimal Dose Aprotinin on Blood Loss and Fibrinolytic System-Complement Activation in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting SurgeryJOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 4 2006Ferit Cicekcioglu M.D. Methods: Forty-four patients scheduled for primary CABG were randomly assigned to the aprotinin (n = 24) or control group (n = 20). In aprotinin group, aprotinin was administered in two equal doses (before skin incision and added to the pump prime). Ventilation time, intensive care unit stay, mediastinal tube drainage, hospitalization, transfusion requirements, and postoperative morbidities and mortality were noted. Hematologic markers of fibrinolytic activity and complement activation were also measured pre- and postoperatively. Results: Although less mediastinal drainage occurred in aprotinin group, the difference was not statistically significant. Other postoperative variables like transfusion requirements, morbidities, and mortality were also found to be similar between groups. Among hematologic parameters, only postoperative levels of ,2-antiplasmin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 were significantly higher in aprotinin group. Conclusions: Although plasmin inhibitors begin to rise at this very low aprotinin dosage, it is not advisable to use this aprotinin regimen in CABG patients. [source] Less systemic cytokine response in patients following microendoscopic versus open lumbar discectomyJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 2 2005Tsung-Jen Huang Abstract The magnitude of the tissue damage from surgery impacts the trauma response. This response is proportional to the severity of surgical stress. Systemic cytokines are recognized as markers of postoperative tissue trauma. Microendoscopic discectomy (MED) recently has become popular for treating lumbar disc herniations, and is associated with favorable clinical outcomes compared with open discectomy (OD). This study postulates that MED is a less traumatic procedure, and therefore has a lower surgical stress response compared to OD. In this study, a quantitative comparison of the overall effects of surgical trauma resulting from MED and OD was performed through analyzing patient systemic cytokines response. From April, 2002 to June, 2003, 22 consecutive patients who had symptomatic lumbar disc herniations were prospectively randomized to undergo either intracanalicular MED (N = 10) or OD (N = 12). In this study, the Vertebroscope System (Zeppelin, Pullach, Germany) was used to perform the endoscopic discectomy procedure in all MED patients. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-, (TNF-,), Interleukin-1, (IL-1,), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and Interleukin-8 (IL-8) were measured before surgery and at 1, 2, 4, 8 and 24h after surgery using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) was measured at the same time interval. The results showed the MED patients had shorter postoperative hospital stay (mean, 3.57 ± 0.98 vs. 5.92 ± 2.39 days, p = 0.025) and less intraoperative blood loss (mean. 87.5 ± 69.4 vs. 190 ± 115 ml, p = 0.042). The operating length, including the set-up time, was longer in the MED group (mean, 109 ± 35.9 vs. 72.1 ± 17.8 min, p = 0.01). The mean size of skin incision made for the MED patients was 1.86 ± 0.13cm (range 1.7,2.0cm); and 6.3 ± 0.98 cm for the OD patients (range 5.5,8cm), p = 0.001. The patients' pain severity of the involved limbs on 10-point Visual Analog Scale before operation in MED group was 7.5 ± 0.3 (range 6,9) and 8 ± 0.2 (range 7,9) in OD group, p = 0.17; and after surgery, 1.5 ± 0.2 (range 1,2) in MED group and 1.4 ± 0.1 (range 1,3) in OD group, p = 0.91. CRP levels peaked at 24h in both groups, and OD patients displayed a significantly greater postoperative rise in serum CRP (mean, 27.78 ± 15.02 vs. 13.84 ± 6.25mg/l, p = 0.026). Concentrations of TNF-,, IL-1,, and IL-8 were detected only sporadically. Serum IL-6 increased less significantly following MED than after OD. In the MED group, IL-6 level peaked 8 h after surgery, with the response statistically less than in the open group (mean, 6.27 ± 5.96 vs. 17.18 ± 11.60pg/ml, p = 0.025). A statistically significant correlation was identified between IL-6 and CRP values (r = 0.79). Using the modified MacNab criteria, the clinical outcomes were 90% satisfactory (9/10) in MED patients and 91.6% satisfactory (11/12) in OD patients at a mean 18.9 months (range 10,25) follow-up. Based on the current data, surgical trauma, as reflected by systemic IL-6 and CRP response, was significantly less following MED than following OD. The difference in the systemic cytokine response may support that the MED procedure is less traumatic. Moreover, our MED patients had achieved satisfactory clinical outcomes as the OD patients at a mean 18.9 months follow-up after surgery. © 2004 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [source] Increased Cortisol Response to Surgery in Patients With Alcohol Problems Who Developed Postoperative ConfusionALCOHOLISM, Issue 8 2004Akira Kudoh Background: Patients with alcohol problems often develop postoperative confusion and have impaired cortisol, ACTH, and norepinephrine. However, the relationship between neuroendocrine responses to surgical stress and postoperative confusion remains unclear in patients with alcohol problems. Methods: Plasma cortisol, ACTH, and norepinephrine concentrations during and after surgery in 30 patients with alcohol problems and 30 control patients who underwent lower abdominal surgery were measured before the induction of anesthesia, 15 and 60 min after skin incision, 60 min after the end of surgery, the next day, and the second day after the operation. Results: Plasma cortisol concentrations (21.2 ± 4.7 ,g·dl,1) of patients with alcohol problems before anesthesia were significantly higher than 15.6 ± 4.8 ,g·dl,1 of control patients. Plasma cortisol and ACTH responses to surgery in patients with alcohol problems were not significantly increased compared with preoperative values. The incidence of postoperative confusion was significantly higher in patients with alcohol problems than that of control patients (33% vs. 3%). Plasma cortisol concentrations (29.7 ± 7.0, 31.2 ± 6.6, 30.3 ± 8.0, and 28.4 ± 6.2 ,g·dl,1) 15 and 60 min after the skin incision, 60 min after the end of surgery, and the next day after operation in postoperatively confused patients with alcohol problems were significantly higher than those of nonconfused patients with alcohol problems (23.0 ± 5.8, 22.7 ± 4.1, 22.4 ± 7.2, and 21.9 ± 5.5 ,g·dl,1). Conclusion: The cortisol response to surgical stress increases in patients with alcohol problems who develop postoperative confusion, although cortisol response to surgical stress decreases in patients with alcohol problems without postoperative confusion. [source] Harvesting a free jejunal graft with a small skin incisionJOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 1 2003Kenji Omura MD No abstract is available for this article. [source] CRANIAL TIBIAL ARTERY CATHETER FOR MONITORING PRESSURES AND SAMPLINGJOURNAL OF VETERINARY EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE, Issue S1 2004DT Crowe A technique for placement of a long-term arterial catheter that the author developed was used in 20 canine patients. The catheter was used for pressure monitoring and arterial blood sampling. The technique involved the following steps post-sedation and placement of a local anesthetic: 1Clipping and prepping of the medial aspect of the distal tibia and proximal metatarsal region; 2Incision over the medial tibial malleolus just caudal to the cranial tibial muscle-tendon; 3Blunt dissection of the space just caudal to the cranial tibialis tendon; 4Isolation of the cranial tibial artery and loop placement proximally and distally; 5Placement of a 3 Fr. polyurethane 4,8 cm catheter using a Seldinger wire technique; 6Placement of a suture in the periosteium of the distal tibia and anchoring of the catheter with this suture; 7Closure of the skin incision with sutures or staples; 8Bandage application to hold the catheter in place. The entire surgical procedure was done using sterile technique. The catheter was able to be kept in place and working for up to 9 days (averaged 4 days). This compared favorably retrospectively over dorsalis pedis catheters that lasted only a maximum of 4 days. (average 1.5 days). Because of the size of the catheter (3 Fr.) it provided improved waveforms over that observed with the dorsalis pedis catheter (22 g) and its occlusion rate was very low (2 in 20). The cranial tibial artery catheter was found to be particularly effective because the catheter was able to be inserted several cm up the artery and the catheter was able to be anchored well. No major complications were observed with this technique. Because of its effectiveness it is recommended to be used routinely over femoral artery and dorsal pedis artery catheters. [source] Suppression of the human spinal H-reflex by propofol: a quantitative analysisACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2 2006J. H. Baars Background:, The spinal cord is an important site of anaesthetic action because it mediates surgical immobility. During anaesthesia with volatile anaesthetics, it has been shown that the suppression of the spinal H-reflex correlates with surgical immobility. To evaluate whether the H-reflex could also be a possible candidate for monitoring immobility during propofol anaesthesia, this study assessed the concentration-dependent suppression of the H-reflex by propofol. To discriminate different effect sites, the individual concentration response-curves and the t1/2ke0 of the H-reflex have been compared with those of two EEG parameters. Methods:, In 18 patients, anaesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol infused using a target-controlled infusion pump at stepwise increasing and decreasing plasma concentrations between 0.5 and 4.5 mg/l. The H-reflex of the soleus muscle was recorded at a frequency of 0.1 Hz. Calculated propofol concentrations and H-reflex amplitude were analysed in terms of a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PKPD) model with a sigmoid concentration-response function. Results:, For slowly increasing propofol concentrations, computer fits of the PKPD model for H-reflex suppression by propofol yielded the following median parameters: EC50 1.1 (0.8,1.7) mg/l, slope parameter 2.4 (2.0,3.7), and a t1/2ke0 of 6.7 (2.8,7.5, 25,75% quantiles) min. For the bispectral index, the t1/2ke0 was 2.2 (1.8,3.1) min and for the spectral edge frequency at the 95th percentile of the power spectrum 2.8 (1.9,3.2) min. Conclusions:, Propofol, unlike sevoflurane, suppresses the spinal H-reflex at concentrations far lower than the C50 skin incision. The differences in t1/2ke0 -values indicate the presence of different effect compartments for effects on the H-reflex and the EEG. [source] Analgesic effects of preincisional administration of dextromethorphan and tenoxicam following laparoscopic cholecystectomyACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 8 2004C-C. Yeh Background:, Pre-incisional treatment with either N -methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) improves postoperative pain relief. This study examines the effect on postlaparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) pain of a combination of dextromethorphan (DM), a NMDA-receptor antagonist, and tenoxicam, a NSAID, given preoperatively. Methods:, Eighty-eight ASA I or II patients scheduled for LC were entered into a randomized, double-blind study and randomly allocated to one of four groups. Controls received 20 mg (4 ml) of chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) IM and 4 ml of normal saline (N/S) IV. Group DM received 40 mg of DM (containing 20 mg of CPM) IM and 4 ml of N/S IV. Group T were given CPM 20 mg IM, and tenoxicam 40 mg (4 ml) IV. Group DM + T were given DM 40 mg (containing 20 mg of CPM) IM, and tenoxicam 40 mg IV. All treatments were given 30 min before skin incision. Analgesic effects were evaluated by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores at rest and during coughing, at 1, 2, 4, 12, 24 and 48 h after surgery. The time to the first request for meperidine for pain relief, and total meperidine consumption, were recorded for 48 h after surgery. Results:, Compared to controls, patients given DM and DM + T first requested meperidine significantly later, had lower meperidine consumption, made fewer requests for meperidine, and had lower pain scores. There were significant differences between the DM + T and T groups at 2 and 4 h in both resting and incident VAS pain scores, the incidence of meperidine requests and the time to first meperidine injection. There were significant differences between groups DM and T at 1 h for resting pain and at 2 and 4 h for incident pain. Except for a significant difference in the incident pain score 1 h after surgery, there were no other differences in pain scores between the DM and DM + T groups. Neither synergistic nor antagonistic interaction was observed between DM and tenoxicam. Conclusions:, The results suggest that pretreatment with DM, but not tenoxicam, provides significant pre-emptive analgesia for postoperative pain management in patients after LC surgery. Combining DM and tenoxicam also gives good pain relief. [source] Tramadol for pain relief in children undergoing herniotomy: a comparison with ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric blocksPEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA, Issue 1 2006MOHAMMAD BAGHER KHOSRAVI MD Summary Background:, Prevention of postoperative pain in children is one of the most important objectives of the anesthesiologist. Preoperative ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve blocks have been widely used to provide analgesia in children undergoing herniorrhaphy. Tramadol is an analgesic with micro-opioid and nonopioid activity. In this study we compared the usage of intravenous tramadol with ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve blocks for control of postherniorrhaphy pain in children aged 2,7 years. Methods:, Sixty patients were randomly allocated to two groups of thirty. One group received tramadol 1.5 mg·kg,1 i.v. before induction of general anesthesia and the other had an ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block with 0.5% bupivacaine (0.25 ml·kg,1) before skin incision. We assessed pain using the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale and the Categorical Pain Scale. Results:, At 1, 4 and 24 h after surgery the two groups had identical pain scores. At 2 and 3 h after surgery the tramadol group experienced significantly less pain (P < 0.05). The rescue drug for residual pain, was used equally in the two groups. None of the 60 patients had respiratory depression but the tramadol group patients were found to have more episodes of nausea and vomiting (P < 0.05). Conclusions:, We concluded that tramadol can have at least the same analgesic effect as that of ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve blocks for postherniorrhaphy pain in children, with even a superior effect at the time of maximal analgesia. We also highlight the troublesome side-effect of nausea and vomiting which brings into question the benefits of using this opioid that seems to lack respiratory depression. [source] Is there a relationship between physical performance and orchiectomy?ANDROLOGIA, Issue 5 2010A. Petroianu Summary Bilateral orchiectomy is indicated for the treatment of patients with testicular cancer or advanced prostate tumours. The influence of hypogonadism on physical performance is still not known. The purpose of this work was to verify the effect of bilateral orchiectomy on physical performance. Sixteen rats were divided into two groups: Group 1 (Control), in which only skin incision and suture were made (n = 5) and Group 2, in which the rats were submitted to bilateral orchiectomy (n = 11). The animals ran on a treadmill at the speed of 20 m min,1 until they were fatigued and felt once, during 10 s, when the experiment was interrupted. Time to running and weight of animals were verified. The results were compared using the Mann,Whitney test. There was no difference on time to running , minutes , (P = 0.14) and weight , grams , (P = 0.25) between the animals submitted to orchiectomy (100 ± 44 min and 359 ± 38 g) and the control Group (81 ± 40 min to run and 327 ± 25 g). Bilateral orchiectomy does not affect the physical performance of the rat. [source] Japan's First Robot-assisted Totally Endoscopic Mitral Valve Repair With a Novel Atrial RetractorARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 10 2009Norihiko Ishikawa Abstract This case report presents the first robot-assisted totally endoscopic mitral valve plasty in Japan. A 54-year-old woman was found by echocardiography to have grade III mitral valve regurgitation because of prolapse of the posterior leaflet. Surgical repair was performed using the da Vinci Surgical System. For the totally endoscopic mitral valve repair, a right-sided approach was used through four ports. A transthoracic aortic cross-clamp and novel flexible port access retractor were inserted through a 5-mm skin incision. Quadrangular resection of the posterior leaflet was performed, and an annuloplasty band was placed into the atrium. Resection of the valve segment took 13 min, and band implementation, 45 min. The total pump time was 197 min and the aortic cross-clamp time, 117 min. Postoperative echocardiography confirmed the absence of mitral insufficiency. [source] Laparoscopic-assisted onlay meshplasty to treat umbilical hernias in patients with severe cirrhosisASIAN JOURNAL OF ENDOSCOPIC SURGERY, Issue 2 2010M Tomikawa Abstract We used laparoscopic-assisted onlay meshplasty to treat umbilical hernias in four patients with severe cirrhosis. A skin incision was made just above the hernia and the circumferential abdominal wall was exposed. Under laparoscopic vision, transabdominal-wall mattress sutures were placed circumferentially around the hernia without leaving a gap between the sutures, and the mesh was placed over the hernia sac and fixed by ligation. Neither postoperative peritonitis nor rupture with ascites was found. None of the patients experienced hernia recurrence or mesh infection after a mean follow-up of 563 d. There was no relevant mortality. Laparoscopic-assisted onlay meshplasty to treat umbilical hernias in patients with severe cirrhosis seems to be technically feasible and offers good results without complications and early recurrence. [source] Wire Scalpel for Surgical Correction of Soft Tissue Contour Defects by Subcutaneous DissectionDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 2 2000Marlen A. Sulamanidze MD Background. Increasing demand exists for cosmetic correction of soft tissue contour defects. Treatments include simple tissue augmentation techniques or more complex surgeries with consequent relevant recuperation time for the patient. The search for new simple techniques to correct scars and age-related wrinkles and folds is therefore one of the main goals of cosmetic dermatologic surgery. Objective. To improve the cosmetic outcome of patients suffering from soft tissue contour defects by the use of a novel surgical instrument and technique, subcutaneous dissection by wire scalpel. Methods. Fifty-four patients were treated with the wire scalpel technique with no skin incisions to correct a total of 132 depressed cosmetic defects of the face. Forehead lines, glabellar, nasolabial and oral commissure folds, upper lip wrinkles, and acne scars were treated. A 2-month to 4-year follow-up allowed subjective and photographic evaluation of results. Results. Good or satisfactory results were obtained in 79.7% and 16.6% of the cases, respectively. Minor complications did not change the overall positive outcome of the surgery. Conclusion. Subcutaneous dissection by wire scalpel is a simple, safe, and effective method to improve the contour appearance of patients affected with scars or age-related contour defects. [source] Transumbilical laparoscopic urological surgery: are special devices strictly necessary?BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 8 2009Anibal W. Branco OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety and feasibility of transumbilical laparoscopic surgery using conventional laparoscopic instruments and ports. PATIENTS AND METHODS Since January 2008 we have been using laparoscopic transumbilical procedures. Patient selection was determined by any situation, pathological or not, for which laparoscopy was deemed appropriate as the standard of care in our practice. Exclusion criteria included patients who had undergone multiple abdominal procedures. The Veress needle was placed through the umbilicus, to allow insufflation with carbon dioxide. A 10-mm trocar was placed in the peri-umbilical site for the laparoscope, followed by placing two additional 5-mm peri-umbilical trocars. The entire procedure was done using conventional laparoscopic instruments. At the end of surgery the trocars were removed and all three peri-umbilical skin incisions were united for specimen retrieval. Patients undergoing surgery using this approach were evaluated prospectively and data were collected during and after surgery for analysis. RESULTS Six procedures were performed using this technique (three nephrectomies, one adrenalectomy, one ureterolithotomy and one retroperitoneal mass resection). The mean operative duration and blood loss were 70.5 min and 108.3 mL, respectively. There were no complications during surgery and no patients needed a blood transfusion. Analgesia comprised metamizole (1 g intravenous every 6 h) and ketoprofen (100 mg intravenous every 12 h). The time to first oral intake was 8 h and the mean hospital stay was 28 h. CONCLUSION Laparoscopic transumbilical surgery seems to be feasible and safe even using conventional laparoscopic instruments, and can be considered a potential alternative for traditional laparoscopic urological procedures. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||