Tag Archives: laparoscopic

PUBLISHED: Laparoscopic Subtotal Fenestrating Cholecystectomy in a Cirrhotic Patient

Laparoscopic Subtotal Fenestrating Cholecystectomy in a Cirrhotic Patient
Rachel M. Schneider, MPH; Nicole B. Cherng, MD
UMass Memorial Medical Center

In patients with difficult gallbladders due to anatomy prohibiting a clear critical view of safety, a subtotal cholecystectomy can be considered as a safer alternative to a total cholecystectomy. Subtotal cholecystectomies can be divided into “reconstituting” or “fenestrating.” Subtotal reconstituting cholecystectomies include closing off the lower end of the gallbladder to create a remnant gallbladder, while subtotal fenestrating cholecystectomies do not occlude the gallbladder and instead may involve suturing the cystic duct. The most common indication for subtotal fenestrating cholecystectomy is inflammation in the hepatocystic triangle, and subtotal fenestrating cholecystectomy has proven to be useful specifically for patients with a history of cirrhosis.

This case report describes the performance of a subtotal fenestrating cholecystectomy for the management of acute on chronic cholecystitis in a patient with cirrhosis initially managed with transcystic stent placement endoscopically. Management of this patient’s omental adhesions to the gallbladder required alterations to typical surgical technique, which will be described in this report. Additionally, the indications for subtotal fenestrating cholecystectomy will be discussed alongside the benefit of this technique to specific patient populations presenting with acute on chronic cholecystitis.

PUBLISHED: Left Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy

Left Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy
Shoko Kimura, MDTatsuo Kawai, MD
Massachusetts General Hospital

Over the past decade, laparoscopic donor nephrectomy has gradually replaced the conventional open approach and has become the standard of care in living donor kidney transplantations. Compared to open nephrectomy, laparoscopic nephrectomy reduces postoperative pain, shortens the length of hospital stay, and improves the cosmetic outcome. This article illustrates the author’s technique of pure laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.

PUBLISHED: Laparoscopic Right Colectomy with Ileocolic Anastomosis

Laparoscopic Right Colectomy with Ileocolic Anastomosis
Joshua M. Harkins1David Rattner, MD2
1Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
2Massachusetts General Hospital

Colonic polyps are projections from the surface of the colonic mucosa. Most are asymptomatic and benign. Over time, some colonic polyps develop into cancers.

Carcinoid tumors develop from cells in the submucosa. They are slow-growing neoplasms. Carcinoid tumors of the colon are rare, comprising less than 11% of all carcinoid tumors and only 1% of colonic neoplasms. The majority of patients diagnosed with carcinoid tumors have no symptoms, and their tumors are found incidentally during endoscopy.

This is the case of a middle-aged male who had an unresectable polyp in the ascending colon and a carcinoid tumor in the ileocecal valve. The patient underwent laparoscopic right colectomy with ileocolic anastomosis to remove both lesions.

PUBLISHED: Laparoscopic Cecal Wedge Resection Appendectomy

Laparoscopic Cecal Wedge Resection Appendectomy
Ciro Andolfi, MD1Marco Fisichella, MD, MBA, FACS2
1University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
2VA Boston Healthcare System

This is the case of a 66-year-old man with a history of colon polyps, who undergoes colonoscopy every 3 years for surveillance. During the last colonoscopy, he was found to have a polyp at the appendiceal orifice. The biopsy showed the presence of adenoma.

Therefore, the patient underwent a laparoscopic appendectomy with wedge resection of the cecum. The operation went well and took less than an hour. The specimen was opened, and the adenoma was found within the lumen of the appendix, with at least 1.5 cm of clear margin. The patient was sent home the same day, and resumed regular diet and physical activities the following morning.

PUBLISHED: Laparoscopic Interval Appendectomy and Open Umbilical Hernia Repair

Laparoscopic Interval Appendectomy and Open Umbilical Hernia Repair
John Grove1Naomi Sell, MD2Thomas O’Donnell, MD2Noelle N. Saillant, MD2
1Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
2Massachusetts General Hospital

Acute appendicitis is a medical condition where the appendix becomes inflamed and causes pain in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen. In addition to pain, appendicitis can cause peritonitis, perforations, and can lead to death if left untreated. Laparoscopic appendectomy is the standard surgical procedure to treat the symptoms of appendicitis as well as prevent further spread of infection. While appendicitis typically advances in an irreversible fashion necessitating surgery, conservative management with antibiotic therapy can sometimes resolve symptoms.

In this case, a 24-year-old patient had a delayed presentation with acute perforated appendicitis. Following successful non-operative treatment with antibiotics, she presented for a laparoscopic interval appendectomy. She also had a non-symptomatic umbilical hernia, which was repaired following removal of the laparoscopic ports for the appendectomy.

PUBLISHED: Laparoscopic Suture Rectopexy with Culdoplasty, Vaginal Wall Repair, and Perineorrhaphy for Rectal Prolapse

Laparoscopic Suture Rectopexy with Culdoplasty, Vaginal Wall Repair, and Perineorrhaphy for Rectal Prolapse

Marcus V. Ortega, MD;Emily C. Von Bargen, DO; Liliana Bordeianou, MD

Massachusetts General Hospital

This is the case of an 87-year-old female who presented with a history of constipation and bothersome rectal prolapse that required manual rectal prolapse reduction. She had minimal constipation and minimal incontinence, and anorectal manometry revealed low rectal pressures. On exam, she was found to have full-thickness rectal prolapse and stage II posterior vaginal wall pelvic organ prolapse. Gynecological POP-Q exam showed mostly posterior prolapse and some apical prolapse, and urodynamic testing was negative. Defacography revealed an enterocele. Here, Dr. Bordeianou and Dr. Von Bargen at MGH discuss the decision-making process when treating rectal prolapse and perform a laparoscopic suture rectopexy with culdoplasty, vaginal wall repair, and perineorrhaphy with levator plication.

PUBLISHED: Ileostomy Reversal for a Two-Stage Laparoscopic Proctocolectomy with Ileoanal J-Pouch for Ulcerative Colitis

Ileostomy Reversal for a Two-Stage Laparoscopic Proctocolectomy with Ileoanal J-Pouch for Ulcerative Colitis

Derek J. Erstad, MD
Massachusetts General Hospital

Richard Hodin, MD
Chief, Division of Gastrointestinal and Oncologic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital

The patient in this case is a 29-year-old female who had a long history of medically refractory ulcerative colitis. Three months previously, she had undergone a laparoscopic proctocolectomy with ileoanal J-pouch reconstruction and loop ileostomy. Here, Dr. Richard Hodin at MGH reverses the ileostomy.

PUBLISHED: Prophylactic Laparoscopic Bilateral Gonadectomy for Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome

Prophylactic Laparoscopic Bilateral Gonadectomy for Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome

J. Corbin Norton
Department of Urology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Amrit Singh, MD
Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences / Arkansas Children’s Hospital

Laura L. Hollenbach, MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Georgia Gamble, MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Laura A. Gonzalez-Krellwitz, MD
Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences / Arkansas Children’s Hospital

Stephen J. Canon, MD
Department of Pediatric Urology, Arkansas Children’s Hospital

The patient in this case is a 15-year-old female who presented with primary amenorrhea and who on work-up was found to have complete androgen insensitivity syndrome. Here, Dr. Canon at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences performs a prophylactic laparoscopic bilateral gonadectomy to reduce her future risk for intra-abdominal testicular malignancies. Final pathology results showed a rare case of bilateral germ cell neoplasia in situ and bilateral paratesticular leiomyomas and reinforced the decision to intervene early allowing for the removal of the gonads prior to their conversion to formal germ cell tumors.

PREPRINT RELEASE: Right Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy

Right Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy
Massachusetts General Hospital

Richard Hodin, MD
Professor of Surgery
Harvard Medical School

In this case, a 58-year-old female was found to have hyperaldosteronism, and a CT scan revealed bilateral cortical adenomas. Here, Dr. Richard Hodin, MD, walks the viewer through the analysis of adrenal vein sampling and performs a right laparoscopic adrenalectomy at MGH.

PREPRINT RELEASE: Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication

Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication
VA Boston Healthcare System
Marco Fisichella, MD, MBA, FACS
Assistant Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School
Associate Chief of Surgery, VA Boston Healthcare System

After medical management with high dose proton pump inhibitors proves to be refractory, a 63-year-old man with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) presents for surgical management. Consequently, Dr. Marco Fisichella conducts a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.