Bile duct injury (BDI) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) which may result in patient disability or death are reported to occur more frequently when compared to open surgery. The aim of this nationwide prospective study beyond the laparoscopic learning curve was to analyze the incidence, risk factors, and management of major BDI. During a 3-year period (1995-1997) 130 items of all LC data were collected on a central computer system from 84 surgical institutions in Switzerland by the Swiss Association of Laparoscopic and Thoracoscopic Surgery and evaluated for major BDIs. Simple biliary leakage was excluded from analysis. There were 12,111 patients with a mean age of 55 years (3-98 years) enrolled in the study. The overall BDI incidence was 0.3%, 0.18% for symptomatic gallstones, and 0.36% for acute cholecystitis. In cases of severe chronic cholecystitis with shrunken gallbladder, the incidence was as high as 3%. Morbidity and mortality rates were significantly increased in BDIs. BDI was recognized intraoperatively in 80.6%, in 64% of cases by help of intraoperative cholangiography. Immediate surgical repair was performed laparoscopically (suture or T-drainage) in 21%; in 79%, open repair (34% simple suture, 66% Roux-en-Y reconstruction) was needed. The BDI incidence did not decrease during the last 7 years. In 47%, BDIs were caused by experienced laparoscopic surgeons, perhaps because they tend to operate on more difficult patients. In conclusion, the incidence of major BDIs remains constant in Switzerland at a level of 0.3%, which is still higher when compared to open surgery. However, most cases are now detected intraoperatively and immediately repaired which ensures a good long-term outcome. For preventing such injuries, exact anatomical knowledge with its variants and a meticulous surgical dissecting technique especially in case of acute inflammation or shrunken gallbladder are mandatory.

Surgical exposure of the recurrent laryngeal nerve decreases the incidence of nerve injuries during thyroid surgery. Intraoperative neuromonitoring was introduced to facilitate identification and protection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Between February 1996 and June 2002 a total of 288 patients underwent thyroid surgery with intraoperative identification and intraoperative neuromonitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. The overall incidences of permanent and transient recurrent nerve palsy (considered as a percentage of the nerves at risk) were 1.4% and 8.7%, respectively. Results were stratified in benign, malignant, and recurrent thyroid disease. Intraoperative function testing revealed a positive predictive value of 33% and negative predictive value of 99%. We concluded that the incidence of recurrent nerve lesions in benign, malignant, and recurrent thyroid disease was not lowered by the use of intraoperative neuromonitoring. Although an intact nerve can be verified by the neuromonitoring, the loss of nerve function cannot be reliably identified.

After 5 years, the two techniques of mesh fixation resulted in similar rates of chronic pain. Whereas recurrence rates were comparable, fixation of the mesh with tissue glue decreased operating room time significantly. Hence, suture less mesh fixation with Histoacryl is a sensible alternative to suture fixation and should be especially considered for patients prone to pain.

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Inguinal hernia repair, according to Lichtenstein, is very popular due to its minimal invasiveness (local anaesthesia), easy and reproducible technique, low recurrence rate, and low morbidity. However, recent publications demonstrate an elevated rate of chronic irritations and pain, probably due to tension or nerve compression by the fixing sutures. We, therefore, established a concept to avoid these sutures by attaching the prosthesis with glue. After a pilot study, a randomised prospective trial was started. The aim of our study was to compare the results of the classical Lichtenstein repair (group 1) vs the "Sutureless Lichtenstein" (group 2) in terms of postoperative complications and recurrences. Operative access and management of the hernial sac was equal to Lichtenstein for both groups. In group 1, we sutured the mesh with PDS 2/0; in group 2, the mesh was glued with n-butyl-cyanoacrylate. In both groups, the operation was then completed according to Lichtenstein, and unrestricted activity was allowed after 2 weeks. A total of 46 patients have been operated on. The follow-up results at 3 weeks and [3 months] were: group 1 ( n=24) vs group 2 ( n=22): recurrences 0 [0] vs 0 [0], minor pain 8 [4] vs 4 [1], local numbness 14 [10] vs 10 [6]. No adhesive-related complications were seen. Patients will be followed for 2 years. The results in group 2 were excellent, and there was no difference vs group 1. Furthermore, there was a tendency for better results in group 2. These results are very promising and justify a continuation of the study.