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IntroductionThe objective of the study is to share the results and development findings on the laparoscopic closure technique applied in our centre during a 15-year period (1998–2012).AimTo compare statistically the standard parameters (hospitalization, duration of operation) versus conventional surgery, and at the same time we compared mainly morbidity and mortality.Material and methodsDuring the period under review we operated on a total of 259 patients, 115 (44.4%) of them laparoscopically, and 144 (55.6%) of them conventionally. The sample was divided into two groups: patients with ASA physical status classification system 1–3, and patients with ASA 4–5.ResultsThe results favour laparoscopy within the group with ASA 1–3 in terms of several parameters, namely: duration of hospitalization – 7.7 days in the case of laparoscopic intervention, vs. 10.6 days for conventional surgery (p < 0.05); and duration of operation – 61 min vs. 85.1 min respectively (p < 0.05). Total morbidity was 27.5% in the case of patients with conventional surgery, vs. 10.9% with laparoscopic intervention (p < 0.05). The sample of patients with ASA 4–5 suffered a high mortality of 82.7%.ConclusionsLaparoscopic closure of perforated ulcer is a safe therapeutic method, as confirmed by the results of many other studies around the world, which in many aspects favour the laparoscopic technique.

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In view of the importance of properly matching vascular grafts and replaced arteries, we measured some mechanical properties of a set of eleven vascular grafts. The deformation response of inflated grafts for a set of Czechoslovak-made warp and weft knitted grafts was also measured on a special experimental device. A simple two-parameter model describing the stress-strain behavior of the grafts is given. Proper pre-elongation of the graft during implantation is important. From the hydrodynamic point of view it is essential to optimize the size and shape of the crimping, especially for small-diameter grafts. Our experiments indicate that the warp knitted grafts are more distensible than the weft knitted ones, but they are all more rigid than the replaced arteries.