Background Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma remains subject of debate, owing to the systemic consequences of pneumoperitoneum in patients with catecholamine-secreting tumors. Methods A prospective randomized study was conducted (2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006), evaluating cardiovascular instability during open (n = 9, group A) or laparoscopic (n = 13, group B) adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma. Haemodynamic parameters were recorded by invasive monitoring. Results Haemodynamic instability was observed in 3/9 (group A) and 6/13 patients (group B), with a mean of 1.8 and 2.2 hypertensive peaks per patient (p = n.s.). Blood loss (164 ± 94 cc versus 48 ± 36 cc, p \ 0.05) and operative time (180 ± 40 versus 158 ± 45 min, p = n.s.) favored laparoscopic procedures. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were nil. Hospital stay was shorter in group B (p \ 0.05). Long-term follow-up was always normal.Conclusions Laparoscopic approach for pheochromocytoma can be as safe as open surgery; intraoperative haemodynamic instability, although usually controlled with success, remains a source of concern.

Background The literature does not support the choice between open and laparoscopic management of splenic artery aneurysms (SAA). Methods We designed a prospective, randomized comparison between open and laparoscopic surgery for SAA. Primary end points were types of surgical procedures performed and clinical outcomes. Analysis was developed on an intention-to-treat basis. Results Fourteen patients were allocated to laparotomy (group A) and 15 to laparoscopy (group B). Groups displayed similar patient-and aneurysm-related characteristics. The conversion rate to open surgery was 13.3 %. The type of surgical procedure performed on the splenic artery was similar in the two groups: aneurysmectomy with splenic artery ligature or direct anastomosis was performed in 51 % and 21 % of patients in group A and in 60 % and 20 % in group B, respectively. The splenectomy rate was similar (14 % vs. 20 %). Postoperative splenic infarction was observed in one case in each group. Laparoscopy was associated with shorter procedures (p = 0.0003) and lower morbidity (25 % vs. 64 %, p = 0.045). Major morbidity requiring interventional procedures and blood transfusion was observed only in group A. Laparoscopy was associated with quicker resumption of oral diet (p \ 0.001), earlier drain removal (p = 0.046), and shorter hospital stay (p \ 0.01). During a mean follow-up of 50 months, two patients in group A required hospital readmission. In group B, two patients developed a late thrombosis of arterial anastomoses. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that laparoscopy permits multiple technical options, does not increase the splenectomy rate, and reduces postoperative complications. It confirms the supposed clinical benefits of laparoscopy when ablative procedures are required but laparoscopic anastomoses show poor long-term results.Keywords Clinical paper Á Trials Á Splenic artery aneurysms Recent literature reports on the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of laparoscopic management of splenic artery aneurysms (SAA) as well as its appreciation by patientsoften young females-who harbour the disease [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. Thus, laparoscopy may represent an interesting alternative to open surgery and provided that the same range of technical solutions offered by open surgery can be achieved with similar results [1,[14][15][16][17][18] and the general advantages of laparoscopy are confirmed in this specific application, the laparoscopic option may represent a challenging alternative not only to laparotomic surgery but also to endovascular procedures. Endovascular management, albeit minimally invasive, requires accurate patient selection and presents some Registration Number: NCT01387828.

The use of knotless barbed suture for laparoscopic intestinal anastomosis is safe and reproducible.

Enhanced recovery pathway reduces significantly LOS in bariatric surgical patients and shortens the mean OT of the procedure, with no significant differences in terms of surgical outcomes. Furthermore, recovery charges were lower and operative time was shorter allowing for procedural cost reduction.

Our study highlights that simple clinical variables, long procedures, and operative complications have a negative impact on procedural outcomes. Based on this, it may be possible to predict cases requiring collaboration with experienced surgeons in order to minimize perioperative morbidity.