Introduction:Erosion of silastic bands following vertical banded gastroplasty is a well-known but rare complication. Silastic bands have also been placed above the gastrojejunal anastomosis of banded Roux-en-Y gastric bypasses to limit gastric pouch dilatation and subsequent weight gain. Traditional approaches for managing this complication include expectant management, open removal, or laparoscopic removal. We describe an […]
Introduction:We proposed a feasibility study to determine if biologic mesh may be safely placed in the abdomen in a transgastric fashion, as a precursor to attempting transgastric ventral hernia repair.Methods:Six swine underwent upper endoscopy after decontamination of the stomach with povidone-iodine (Betadine). Under endoscopic guidance the gastric wall was perforated. A plastic overtube was introduced […]
Introduction: Would the ability to diagnose unexpected secondary findings be a crucial factor to choose TAPPS over TEPPS? The primary surgeon of this abstract incidentally diagnosed a liver malignancy that prompted this question. Over the years, debate between the two approaches has been an on-going issue. Neither surgery has demonstrated definitive superiority over the other. […]
OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of postoperative anastomotic leak following laparoscopic (LP) versus open (OS) lower anterior resection. METHODS: A retrospective review of cases were performed between September of 2000 and June of 2007. A total of 33 cases of LP and 31 cases of OS lower anterior resection were performed by the same surgeon. […]
Large paraesophageal hernias are difficult to manage via laparoscopy and are associated with a significant recurrence rate. A novel laparoscopic approach was used to close the diaphragmatic defect in four patients diagnosed with large para-esophageal hernias and GERD symptomatology. Technique: All procedures were performed via laparoscopy. Three patients underwent a reduction of the para-esophageal hernia […]