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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Laparoscopic Appendectomy VA Boston Healthcare System Marco Fisichella, MD, MBA, FACS Assistant Professor of Surgery, Harvard Medical School
Associate Chief of Surgery, VA Boston Healthcare System
A 66-year-old man with a history of polyps has undergone colonoscopic surveillance every 3 years. After the recent discovery of an adenoma at the patient’s appendiceal orifice, Dr. Marco Fisichella performs a laparoscopic appendectomy.
